The "about" page of RethinkingAutism.com says:
"I am the mother of an autistic boy. I have had enough of the pseudo-science quackery that certain celebrities are pitching to parents of kids with autism. The media is concentrating on the pseudo-science and there needs to be a forum for more tried and tested information. It is virtually impossible for an individual to deliver a counter-message, but I may have found a way with RethinkingAutism.com. I am in no way affiliated with RethinkAutism.com or any other autism group, pharmaceutical company or part of any government conspiracy....."
And from there we get some great videos. Some I agree with, some I don't. But no one is yelling so loud that science can't be heard.
Another section starts:
"Vaccines and autism:
Many parents claim that vaccines caused their child's autism. There are no reputable studies to substantiate this claim. There are many reputable studies that have failed to find a link between vaccines and autism. Do some research at the following links: TIME, Center for Disease Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, Common Sense About Vaccines and Autism.
What a wonderful surprise to find calm minds that express themselves with facts instead of fiction, science instead of scary stories, and knowledge instead of wishes. Check out the page. It's time these celebrities stopped expoliting these children and their families.
Every day the airwaves are polluted with pseudo-science practitioners who spread false information, false hope and drain the energy of individuals and families from the hard task of obtaining scientifically supported and proven treatments. Instead they exploit and victimize. Today I was again shocked to find a conference being offered about the truth of vaccines. A rehash of disproved ideas, poor science and straight out lies. (Sponsored by a Chiropractic organization.) Yes, you can even find chiropractors who tell you they provide services that address "issues relating to autism." Shouldn't parent's be encouraged to spend their limited funds on treatments that directly address the problems of autism (communications deficits, social-pragmatic difficulties and so on?). I suppose a podiatrist could offer a parent service for their child also, kids with sore feet are going to act out...right? But is it ethical? Does it make sense?
Rather than realigning spines our politicians and medical associations need to find one and directly confront these treatments that either lack scientific support or have already been disproven. At times like these, with flu season coming soon, and the possibility of pandemics, celebrities who urge people to avoid medicine and medical treatments and interventions based upon their own conspiracy theories need to be confronted.
It's good to see another web page and source of reliable information join the conversation.
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