Autism education
There are many questions that come up repeatedly regarding what may be the cause of Autism. Now that early Autism diagnosis is prevalent, there are countless theories which have proven to confuse parents. Some believe that it is possible for a lack of parental attention to be blame.
Are Refrigerator Moms a Cause of Autism?
Coined by a well-meaning, yet wrong pioneer in the identification and treatment of autism, the term “refrigerator mom” refers to a mother who did not pay enough attention to her child during the formative years. Though it is true that mothers-and fathers-both need to pay plenty of attention to their children, lack of attention is certainly no cause of autism.
Autism is simply a neurological disorder. The brain is comprised of billions of nerve cells which work together to form complex electrochemical circuits. In persons with autism, some of that circuitry is wired differently than in the brains of people without autism.
Autism also has a genetic component. It stands to reason that the so-called “refrigerator moms” may have been on the autistic spectrum themselves, which might have caused their difficulty in forming bonds with their children. It wasn’t their parenting, but rather their genes which gave rise to autism.
Today, to even suggest that bad parenting causes autism or other neurological disorders is offensive to the autism community, as well as to the parents of children with autism. Parents in families affected by autism need support, not more shame for something they never caused.
For instance, well-meaning relatives who do not know some of the complex behaviors of many people with autism might take a child’s reluctance to look them in the eye as a sign of evasiveness-even defiance. If you encounter one of these people in your family or circle of friends, take a deep breath. Then, with all the calm you can muster, tell them that eye tracking studies can identify children with autism at an early age-even in infancy. Infants who will develop autism simply do not look at human faces as much as others.
Education and training for people who encounter children and adults with autism is a key component to change people’s minds about the real causes of autism. If you or your child has autism, teach others how to help you or your child. Your therapist may also be a rich source of information to help you speak with confidence.
Autism education
Source by Paul Napier, MA, BCBA
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