Skip to main content
Presentation
Old wine in new bottles: Science, quackery, and autism
Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis
  • Matthew P. Normand, University of the Pacific
Document Type
Conference Presentation
Department
Psychology
Organization
Association for Behavior Analysis
Location
Atlanta, GA
Conference Dates
May 26-30, 2006
Date of Presentation
5-29-2006
Abstract

Pseudoscientific claims concerning medical treatments for all varieties of illness are nothing new. With respect to autism, many of the claims currently parading as fact actually are rooted in the pseudoscience of years past. A skeptical approach to the world around us is important, but so is some familiarity with the mistakes of the past so that they can be avoided in the present. The present paper discusses the relationship between several quack treatments and theories of recent history that are enjoying nothing sort of a rebirth in the field of autism today. Special attention will be given to the topics of mega-vitamin treatment regimens and the purported link between MMR vaccinations and autism. Hyperbaric chambers, gluten-casein free diets, and various other pseudoscientific claims also are addressed.

Citation Information
Matthew P. Normand. "Old wine in new bottles: Science, quackery, and autism" Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis (2006)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/matthew-normand/112/