US President Donald Trump's claim that pregnant women should avoid paracetamol – an announcement that’s harmful by science and doesn’t support it – a parent for autism, especially moms, matches into an extended and harmful tradition of blaming moms.
Despite many many years of research and an excessive amount of understanding about autistic lives, there are two myths: that parental behavior can someway cause autism, and that autism is a short lived condition that may be “fine” or merely “output”. Large, long-term studies-and autistic people's experiences-have repeatedly eliminated each claims, yet they continue to be at the extent of public debate.
From the early ideas of autism, researchers searched for somebody or accused of something else. In the Fifties and Nineteen Sixties, corresponding to psychologists Liu's baby -an American physician who first described autism in 1943 as a separate condition- and Bruno Beetle Hem -An American psychologist born in Venis, known for his controversial ideas on children's development-promoted the “” “concept of” “”.Refrigerator Mom“.
It is believed that autism was the results of emotionally cold parents. This theory caused crime, shame and even the forced separation of youngsters from his family, which caused numerous damage.
They Sample of the blaming mothers Later set the stage for false claims. In Andrew Wakefield, a British gastrointestinal expert within the Nineteen Nineties, it was alleged that measles, mamps and rubella (MMR) vaccine were on account of autism. Had his job Exposed as the subsequent deception; The paper was withdrawn and his medical license was canceled.
Extensive international research Since then it has been shown that there is no such thing as a link between MMR and autism. Even then Damage continues. Vaccination rates decreasedAfter the spread of the disease, and a few children died or suffered severe complications.
Since then, other reasons – from gluten and cow's milk to cestern parts and Even ultrasound scans – Suggested and later proved mistaken. All these theories share the identical false allegations: they parents, often moms, tie up autism on something, alleged that they’ve didn’t do or do.
Recycling of harmful false claims
When people living in positions of power, with none proof, when on a regular basis substance is linked to autism, it inevitably raises doubts. History shows how harmful this doubt may be.
US president Recent commentary about paracetamol It gives rise to the myths that were completely notorious, yet amazingly influential. Like false claims about vaccine or cow's milk, it hurts children and oldsters equally.
When such statements come from distinguished political figures somewhat than scientific experts, they spread rapidly to social media, where the algorithm promotes sensationalism and makes it difficult to correct it.
In fact, evidence doesn’t support Trump's claim. A significant international organization shows no link between taking paracetamol while pregnant and autism. Some studies that raise concerns were small, often based on animal experiments or limited statement data. His search for giant -scale human research has never been copied.
This sample is aware of other autism “frightened”. Preliminary studies they Proposed a link between ultrasound scans Or The pre -birth tension And autism also relied on animal models and the study of huge populations didn’t confirm it.
Myths that leave the evidence behind
Even when false claims are gone, their effects Can last for years. Research shows that many individuals still imagine that vaccine causes autism. In 2021About one -quarter respondents weren’t convinced whether the MMR vaccine was protected. Parents of autistic children usually tend to imagine within the link to the vaccine, which shows that some have made the concept of ​​a parent's “accusation” internal.
Such a messaging frame frames autism as some “wrong” within the uterus – something that would have been stopped and may have been stopped. It gets deep Dishonesty and discrimination Against the autistic people and their families. It also positions every kind of autism as a defect, somewhat than natural human nerve diversity.
Increased diagnosis of autism Do not reflect the sudden increase in matters, but higher understanding and recognition of autistic people. “What is the reason for autism?” Instead of asking, the more useful query is how you can create a world that helps autistic children and adults.