Brain Balance

Autism: The Scientific Truth About Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Autism Spectrum Disorders – and What Parents Can Do Now
Melillo
2012

Submitter: People with autism have a hard enough time in life without being abused, threatened or discriminated against, and are invisible in mainstream society, so books, websites, etc. that spout hate, stereotypes and misrepresentations of autism harm the self-worth of already vulnerable people. The content of this book is no exception. For example, in the foreword on pg xi, it says the book is about preventing autism before it has a chance to develop, and perhaps curing it. And it gets worse: pg 4: “Autism is a real threat.” Ableism is the real threat, not autism. It should be society’s responsibility to create a world that is more accepting of people with autism, not autistic people’s responsibility to assimilate into neurotypicality to make everyone else feel comfortable. And autism is repeatedly referred to as an “epidemic” in this book, like it is a virus to be eradicated. And the use of the r-word. I myself have Asperger’s and to find this book in my local library was really hurtful. To be told I’m a threat to society and need to be “fixed” is the worst thing I’ve ever heard. I may be smart enough to know I don’t need to be cured, but it could really damage other people’s self-esteem, even make them suicidal. If you want proper information about autism, check out Autistic Self Advocacy Network – they are the true experts in this matter.

Holly: Dr. Melillo’s Brain Balance Achievement Centers have definitely been criticized. Take a look at the external links on that Wikipedia page; especially the NPR piece.