Who’s to blame for autism?


Posted by Patricia Wright on August 1st, 2008

Michael Savage has received far too much press for his despicable statement about autism.

In 99 percent of the cases, it’s a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out. That’s what autism is.

This pronouncement of his caused a big stir and was then (unfortunately) repeated by those who wish to provide commentary. I am loathe to write about his comments as I think many individuals in the media make radical statements just to garner additional press. I am hesitant to reinforce him by providing yet another forum to repeat his words.

But here’s the thing. His despicable comment just shows us once again how some need to engage in blame in re: disability. Must it be somebody’s “fault” that a child has a disability? To me this is the crux of Savage’s comment — he continues the mythology that there must be a person or action to blame for the manifestation of the behaviors related to autism.

Parents of children with autism have had to absorb this blame once too often. In the 1940’s Bruno Bettelheim coined the term Refrigerator Mothers, implying that poor parenting resulted in autism. Years passed before this ridiculous theory was disproven. And all that time, parents had to endure the incredible hardship of blame in addition to the challenges associated with supporting a child with autism.

Over 20 years ago, I heard Norm Kunc, a disability rights advocate, state that, “disability is the nature of the human condition.” I’ve never forgotten his words. Parents should not be blamed for autism. Autism is a component of the human condition.


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6 Responses to “Who’s to blame for autism?”

  1. Jacqueline Says:
    August 2nd, 2008 at 3:29 pm

    I think the Refrigerator Mother theory works in reverse. When she has a child that does not respond to, or even recoils from affectionate behavior, a mother learns not to behave affectionately toward that child.

  2. Patricia Wright Says:
    August 3rd, 2008 at 7:58 am

    Jacqueline – thanks for your comment. I think that parents do their best to provide for their child’s wants and needs. Some children with autism do not prefer physical affection and will protest when they are hugged or held. And some children with autism protest when their routines are interrupted by a parent who is requesting social interaction. Parents, who want their child to be happy, may decrease their engagement with their child. This certainly does not mean that a parent does not love their child or that they don’t want to interact with their child.

    I have heard parents say that this is one of the reasons that early intervention is so important – not just for their child with autism, but also for the parents of the child with autism. Through effective early intervention parents learn how to be social and interact with their child in way that meets everybody’s needs.

  3. Cherie Wells Says:
    August 6th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    The mass ignorance of the reality of living with and loving an Autistic child is truly a disgrace in any society which claims any type of social intelligence. My beautiful 6 year-old daughtor, Cherish, has been loved and treasured since the day of her conception. I worked in the child development field for 12 years of my life and loved every moment of it prior to her birth, and spent every moment of her infancy and toddlerhood adoring her. Nevertheless, Autism stole my baby away from me around age 2. Perhaps, it was my drive to devote myself to her that has brought her affection and interaction back, but her lack of speech and violent aggression towards herself and others was certainly not a result of any lack of attention or good parenting. There is an actual epidemic–whether it be genetic, chemical or environmental–that is causing our children to suffer and stealing them away from us at an alarming rate, and ignorance is not going to stop it!!

  4. lisa Says:
    August 7th, 2008 at 11:56 pm

    My handsome 6yr old grandson has (they call mild autism)at times.He seems like just a normol little 6yr old. but he has very limited speach.He is some-what compashonate.But only with family and people he`s known.He goes to school.But i dont think they provid all the speciel learning tools he will need.He has an aid that works with him.when he gets home all he wants to do is play his game-box.He is mastering some of the games .i feel he needs learning games.We live in marshal county area.so there are no resores he despratly needs.My daughter takes very good care ,and shows him lots of effectin.but he still has his fits.Iwish for his sake we can find help for her.To learn how to teach him at home as well as at school.What do you recomend?Thank you for you`er time.I`m very proud of my grandson!!Iwant to help get him all the help he is intitled to.from his loving granny,lisa

  5. Patricia Wright Says:
    August 11th, 2008 at 5:41 pm

    Dear Cherie – your love for your daughter glows in your message. Your are correct, often the inapprorpiate response from the public is a result of ignorance. With parents like you sharing your stories and encouraging understanding the public will learn about the nature of autism.

  6. Patricia Wright Says:
    August 11th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

    Dear Lisa – I am not sure where Marshall County is located. I do know that the Autism Society of America has many parents, family members and professionals interested in supporting individuals with autism. You may be able to learn about how to best help your grandchild from other parents and grandparents in Marshall County. This website (http://209.200.89.252/search_site/chapter_map.cfm) has a map of all of the Autism Society of America chapters. I encourage you to go to the site and see if there is a chapter near you.

    It is fantastic that you are so involved in your grandson’s life. Children need all the positive adult role models they can get – how fortunate that he has you!

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