Public Attitudes

To defend themselves against the public outrage from autism groups across America, from advertisers pulling their financial support of his program, and from radio networks discontinuing sponsorship of his program, Michael Savage and his supporters say that they are just trying to attract public attention to overdiagnosis of autism, AD/HD, and other behavioral disorders. Okay, then let us focus on science-based diagnosis, whether health care professionals actually practice using evidence-based diagnostic guidelines, and the consequences of persons mildly challenged with some symptoms of these disorders. That is a legitimate and important discussion. But why demean individuals, children, and their families with loaded words such as "fraud," "racket," and "brats." This causes tremendous pain. Mr. Duke actually defended Mr. Savage's attack on the existence of autism by stating, "It seems as if taking offense is the recreation of choice in modern America." A radio host declares that autism and AD/HD don't exist, they are frauds, they are caused by lax parenting because "they don't have a father around to tell them, ‘don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life.'" And then they complain because those of us living with family members who have disabilities take exception. This is an interesting logic. Who is the heartless and insensitive party in this? Mr. Duke then quickly declares that this is all caused by "an irresponsible psychiatric community" and "trigger-happy diagnosticians" whose "most egregious example of their handiwork is ADHD, a mythical condition that has become a handy excuse for bad behavior."

We need to focus on the published evidence of science. We need uniformity in professional diagnosis, adhering to evidence-based guidelines. When Lawrence Diller, MD, states that many families come to him because their children have mild symptoms of AD/HD and want an edge up in school, let us discuss severity in daily functioning and significant failure to meet the daily expectations of life. But don't call us "frauds" and don't call our children "brats." Whatever happened to the notion of Christian charity in our society-of putting ourselves in the shoes of others and having empathy?

CHADD will continue to work with the professional community in enhancing the science behind disability. CHADD will continue to convene persons with disorders and their families to exchange life experiences and provide mutual support. Some of us will continue to speak out against ignorance whose purpose is to harm.

Stay strong as you deal with challenges of daily life. Seek out support.

Clarke