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The 1950s concept of ‘refrigerator mothers’ and autism
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Posted by sylvia on Monday, August 03, 2009 (22:18:14)
Teaching Expertise
This week I went to a well-attended, high-profile training course on autism. During the course I saw some fascinating old television footage of so-called ‘experts’ sharing their ideas and theories regarding autism. What caught my attention most was the term ‘refrigerator mothers’, which apparently was coined in 1950 to describe some mothers of autistic children.
The term originates from a theory that autism may be related to a ‘genuine lack of maternal warmth’, which was published in 1949 by Leo Kanner when he was starting to investigate causes of autistic behaviour.
However it was Dr Bruno Bettelheim, a University of Chicago professor and child development specialist, who facilitated the widespread acceptance of this notion in the 1950s and 1960s. Many articles and books published in that era attributed autism to a maternal lack of affection.
I can understand how Kanner and Bettelheim came to the initial conclusions that autism was developmental in relation to the mother, bearing in mind Bowlby’s identification of Attachment Disorder, but I find it indefensible that these cases were paraded so publicly, especially when there were so few examples. The idea of ‘refrigerator mothers’ was widely spread with no real explanation or context, and subsequently turned these women into social outcasts.
I am curious to look further into this early misdiagnosis from Kanner and Bettelheim; specifically how it affected notions of who people with autism were and what they presented at that point in time.
Often errors help to frame modern thinking. However, can we truly accept Bettelheim’s work as a core part of developmental theories about autism?
Click here to read other posts on this subject Teaching Expertise
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Finding support by supporting others
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Posted by sylvia on Monday, August 03, 2009 (17:08:57)
Tulsa World By SHANNON MUCHMORE
A new support group helps adults who have Asperger's.
For many people, walking into a cafe and ordering a cup of coffee or a bite to eat is a run-of-the-mill event. For a person with Asperger's Syndrome, however, it can be a daunting task wrought with frustration and stress.
Asperger's is a disorder along the autism spectrum. It is characterized by repetitive patterns and other behaviors that obstruct social and occupational aspects of life but does not include significant delay in cognitive development. People with Asperger's who want a cup of coffee might be intimidated by all the options available, stressed by the lighting and noise in a restaurant, and unable to understand that they are being rude to a waiter or other patrons.
After recognizing a growing need in the Tulsa community for Asperger's resources, the Tulsa Advocates for Rights of Citizens with developmental disabilities, or TARC, created Links, a support group for adults with Asperger's.
It started monthly meetings in March and recently expanded the meetings to include a practice section at a restaurant in south Tulsa.
Amanda Turner, director of communications for TARC, said the advocacy organization already has a support group for adolescents with Asperger's but had received several phone calls from people who wanted such a group for adults.
"There was just such a need, and there's no group like it right now that deals specifically with Asperger's," Turner said.
At the first few meetings,
the group discussed tips on how to find an apartment, such as what questions to ask and where to look for listings, said Amie Farinella, self-advocacy coordinator for TARC and the group's organizer.
They also have done some role-playing in preparation for their restaurant visit. Some members pretend to be waiters and others play the role of customers. They discuss ordering, tipping and politely sending back meals.
A lot of time they simply sit in a circle and chat, Farinella said.
"It's a very casual atmosphere," she said. "I don't try to make it structured at all."
She lets group members drive the topics and discussions and encourages them to talk to each other and stay in touch outside the group.
"That environment fosters them to gain more skills and start to do things on their own," she said.
Turner said between 10 and 20 people have attended the first meetings, an encouraging number for a new group.
They vary in how they are affected by Asperger's.
Some live with their parents and do not drive, while others have more independence. Their IQs often are above average, but they have trouble with social skills.
Farinella said a person with Asperger's always will be afflicted but can learn to manage the syndrome.
"You can definitely help somebody be more comfortable," she said.
Those who have found and attended the support group's meetings want to improve and make friends.
They desire social acceptance like anyone else, Farinella said.
"They want to learn how to do this stuff," she said.
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An Internet browser especially for kids with autism
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Posted by sylvia on Monday, August 03, 2009 (09:10:55)
Arizona Daily Star By Johanna Eubank
The Internet is a great tool for research, education, entertainment and socialization. But for a child with autism, it is often too much.
Children with autism are easily overstimulated by everything around them. At home, parents generally try to reduce the stimulation of the surroundings. But how can they reduce the stimulation of the computer while still allowing the child to learn with today’s technology?
John LeSieur runs a small software company and wanted to help his 6-year-old grandson Zackary, who has autism, make use of the computer. Zackary was frustrated by the too-many options available on the computer.
LeSieur created the Zac Browser for Autistic Children so that Zackary could be comfortable on the computer. He has made it available for free to all at Zac Browser.
When Zac browser is running, many of the keyboard and mouse controls are locked out, reducing accidental clicks. It links to safe, educational games, music and videos from free Web sites in an easy straightforward manner great for younger children – not just those with autism.
I downloaded the browser to try it out. The main page is a virtual aquarium. The icons are bigger and easier to click on than the regular ones on a Windows desktop. No double-clicking is required once the browser is open.
The cursor on the aquarium page is a fish. The icons point to a video page with lots of choices, a game page, a music page and a story page. The cursor changes on each of these pages and trails such things as hearts, stars and snowflakes.
There are very few printed words for non-readers to worry about. Pictures rule here. I would recommend a parent play around a little to get the lay of the land, then show the child how to close a game or pause a video.
The browser is compatible with Windows. I used a PC to download it. The Web site does indicate that it can run on a Mac with Windows. The Web site also has a forum for parents and you can register for a newsletter.
I doubt that my son would care too much for the Zac browser, but that’s mostly because he’s 22 years old and his interests have grown beyond what this can provide. But I would recommend this for all younger children.
Who knows? David is likely to like the videos, so I’ll ask him to try it out.
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Book Review
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Posted by lightfoot on Thursday, May 29, 2008 (16:42:40)
'AUTISM'S FALSE PROPHETS:Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure'
by Paul Offit, MD
Columbia University Press
To be released September 2008
reviewed by writerdd
AUTISM'S FALSE PROPHETS will show the reader the incredible history of how greedy lawyers, doctors, and unknowing parents have helped prevent the search for the real cause of autism.
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Two Men to Walk Across America for Autism Aid....
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Posted by lightfoot on Friday, May 16, 2008 (18:12:24)
By : National Autism Association
Next month, two men from Massachusetts will begin The Elias Tembenis Walk for Autism, a year-long journey across America to raise autism awareness and funds to assist children with the diagnosis.
Robert Williams and Bobby Genese of Worcester will walk approximately 3000 miles in honor of Elias Tembenis, a seven-year-old boy with autism who passed away last November following a seizure. Tembenis family friends Williams and Genese hope to provide aid for the 1 in 150 now diagnosed with autism. "I'm honored to help," said Genese. "Even a waterfall begins with only one drop, giving rewards."
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