Washington Post Omits Historic Date, Important Information, From Autism Key Dates List

The Washington Post has published a list of Some Key Dates in Autism History. The list has an important omission and is inaccurate or misleading on some controversial assertions. The article also repeats, without qualification, some oft repeated official positions that are not entirely accurate or are subject to serious dispute.

1) 1987 Lovaas Study On Effectiveness of ABA

The article, by Brittney Johnson, makes no mention of the publication in 1987 of the Lovaas study indicating that 90% of children substantially improved when utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis, compared to a control group with close to half attaining normal IQ and testing within the normal range on adaptive and social skills.


2) Alleged Thimerosal Removal

2000 In response to broad government concerns, vaccine makers remove thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, from all routinely given childhood vaccines.

That statement is not entirely accurate. As stated by Dr. Robert Schecter, lead author of the recent California epidemiological study on rising autism incidence:

"Autism rates increased consistently ... throughout this period, despite the exclusion of mercury from nearly all childhood vaccines,"[Bold highlighting added -HLD]

As for Haley's argument that some children still might be getting some mercury from vaccines, Schechter said that could be true.

"I would not claim that children are getting no mercury from vaccines," Schechter said."

- Lexington Herald Leader, February 4, 2008


3) 2004 IOM Report - No credible evidence of a link between thimerosal and autism . . . or between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism.


2004: The Institute of Medicine, which advises the government on scientific matters, finds no credible evidence of a link between thimerosal and autism . . . or between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism.

The 2004 IOM report and the processes used in preparing it have been criticized; including recently by former NIH Head Dr. Bernadine Healy who stated that the IOM expressly discouraged research and investigation of a possible vaccine/thimerosal link to autism and that the IOM report authors did so because of fear of vaccination rejection by the general population. Dr. Healy's contentions appear to be supported by some of the IOM report statements at page 152.

4) Autism Spike

2007: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports autism affects 1 in 150 children. Medical experts say the changed number reflects better detection, broader diagnostic criteria and increased public awareness -- not a spike in the disease.

Some medical experts attribute the spike entirely to diagnostic criteria change and increased public awareness ...... and some do not. Research is continuing into possible environmental causes of autism and their potential contribution to current rates of autism diagnosis.

5) Bettelheim's Refrigerator Mother Theory

1971: Eminent psychologist Bruno Bettelheim promotes the "refrigerator mother" theory, which holds that "cold," unurturing parents, especially moms, are to blame for autism.

The article describes Bettelheim as an eminent psychologist and makes no mention of the fact that his "theory" is totally discredited today .... or to the harm that it caused to families.

All in all, a less than sterling effort by Brittney Johnson and the Washington Post.

autism

Four Teens Fully Recover from Autism Through ABA

Press Conference and World Premiere Movie.

Los Angeles, CA, April 25, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Four families who were told to institutionalize their autistic children years ago will be honored during the screening of a documentary about their journey to recovery. The four children featured in the documentary were all diagnosed with autism between the ages of 3 and 5, and their parents were told that the children would never be able to have meaningful relationships or even communicate with others. Today, they are teenagers who, through a treatment program with the Center for Autism & Related Disorders, have overcome the bleak prognosis to become active, successful individuals.

Ruffin, Janna, Nick and Brett participate in mainstreamed high school settings, and are exceptional students. They are involved with friends, hobbies and sports. By anyone’s standard, they are typical teenagers. All four children had a formal removal of their diagnosis, exhibiting scores in the normal range in intelligence, language and adaptive skills after treatment.

Their story is told by Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, founder of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD), the organization responsible for their treatment. She and her staff developed and administered treatment programs for each of the children using Applied Behavior Analysis techniques and documented the children’s’ stories and progress.

Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back is a true and inspiring story of four families who were given no hope, one organization which refused to give up, and four brave children who overcame the odds to achieve success. The documentary includes pre and post treatment interviews and therapy sessions.

“Many people don’t believe it is possible to recover from Autism. Our purpose in developing this film is to show that there is reason for hope. These children can learn to communicate, socialize, and play. I wanted to make sure families hear and see that,” Granpeesheh said.

Press Conference & Star Studded Premiere
7:15pm – Friday, April 25, 2008
Pacific Design Center - Lobby - Silver Screen Theater – 2nd Floor
8687 Melrose Avenue – West Hollywood, CA

Available for interviews:
• Four recovered teenagers (3 from Los Angles Area; one from Midwest) + many, many more recovered children
• The therapists who worked with the children
• Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh
• World acclaimed psychologist, Dr. Ivar Lovaas
• Lou Diamond Phillips, Director/Actor/Autism Activist

Contact Information Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc
Daphne Plu
818-345-2345 X 270
d.plump@centerforautism.com
www.recoveredautism.com

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