The internet is a fabulous tool for just about anything you need to research or look up.  I remember when my husband and I first got married we invested in a complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica and faithfully purchased the annual “Yearbook” each year.  I am not sure how many Encyclopedia salesmen (oops, persons) you would find today???  Much has changed since 1979 and not just with the use of computers:  Autism was considered a rare disability and many times was diagnosed as mental retardation or childhood schizophrenia; Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) was only practiced by a select few (The Lovaas Institute, Eden Institute); mothers of “autistic” children we just beginning to loose the “refrigerator mother” label; IDEA was passed in 1975 but few children with autism and severe behavior disorders were served; and most children with severe autism were still sent to institutions - I am sure we could go on and on.

I must caution the use of the internet as your sole source of information.  As I am sure many of you have found out, there are unscrupulous people out there and they have just been waiting for something like autism to come along.  Please make sure that what you are trying with your child is research-based and approved by a knowledgeable medical professional.  A big caution here!!!!  BEWARE OF THOSE SELLING WHAT THEY SAY YOU MUST HAVE, AND BEWARE OF THOSE WHO PROMISE A CURE.  Autism is a developmental disability and not a disease.  With early detection and intense early intervention, the symptoms may be mitigated to the point of minimal detection; still, the child will most likely be in need of some level of lifetime support, even if it is only social coaching.  

The Autism Society of America (ASA) is a trusted website and you have a promise from Children’s Care that we will only provide you with the most reliable and researched information available. 

Let us know what YOU think.

Vicki L. Isler, Ed.D., BCBA
Program Director
Behavioral Care Services
Children’s Care Hospital & School