Celebrity activism and Autism: find more credible sources instead

June 12, 10:37 PMSpecial Needs Kids ExaminerHeather Sedlock

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Autism Research: What is and is not true about causes of Autism:

It is hard to know what is true and what it not true about the theoretical causes of Autism. In the news, lately, one has heard much about vaccination injury being a cause for some types of autism, mostly those that “just happen” during the toddler years. But is it true? MSNBC reported that the scientist who discovered this theory fudged his reports and that other scientists have been unable to reproduce the same conclusions in studies.

Celebrities jump on the bandwagon and lend their credibility to the situation, such as Jennie McCarthy. I have a tremendous amount of respect for her and Jim Carrey both as entertainers and as parents. Please, do not get me wrong about this. But relying solely on a person’s name to offer creditability to a scientific theory does not make it true and is guilty of one or more fallacies of argument.

Incredibly, some are even calling on celebrities to give voice to the Autism community by becoming an activist, as is what is going on now with John Travolta. The Autism and Parenting Examiner, Robin Hausman Morris, reported on John Travolta’s apparent admission that his son was autistic, against scientology beliefs. She said, in her article,

“Jett Travolta's death should not go in vain. Perhaps now is the time for John Travolta and Kelly Preston to donate their time and resources to autism awareness. They know all too well how autism can devastate a family. It is never too late to share his story for the good of mankind.” 

She is not alone In this request, by far.

I am sure that more than just his scientology beliefs have held John Travolta back from giving voice to autism awareness. Not everyone is fit to be an activist of any kind. Perhaps it is because he is neither a researcher nor an actual scientist and does not have the proper background to inform parents about autism, especially if his viewpoints fall in line with scientology that autism, and other mental health impairments, do not exist. If that is true, that he feels this way, why call him to the stage and possibly create an argument which gains validity, because a celebrity said it, which calls for labeling “autism” as nonexistent?
I think rather than that, I would hope John Travolta and Kelly Preston both become aware that autism does exist for their own benefit. They can receive simply the love and support from the autism community and do not have to become activists just because they are celebrities.

There are valuable, credible resources out there for parents to go to instead. Once such organization that is a credible resource is the Kennedy Krieger Institute, which runs an interactive, online, national research initiative. In addition to the initiative, people with ASD and those that are caretakers can gain information about current and historical research conclusions and learn what is and is not true about Autism research. There is also an online community one can join and participate in for support as well as information.