That or something similar is actually a mainstream view, mind you. But it’s true that no randomized trial of anything has ever demonstrated this common belief.

I understand that there are some data that suggest children who do not learn language by a certain age – primarily due to hearing problems – may never be able to learn it as well as those who can hear well, but I’m not sure that this translates to the situation seen in autism.

This is especially relevant in light of a recent study showing that children with ADHD can “catch up” to their non-affected peers and another recent study showing that autistic people continue to “improve” even after age 18 years.

Unless someone can point to a study that shows a “window of opportunity” in autism, I have to assume that the “opportunity” is the opportunity to sell unproven (and dis-proven) “therapies” to parents while they’re still distraught and desparate.

I’m open to any data (i.e. NOT anecdotes or “testimonials”) that people can provide about a real “window of opportunity”.

Prometheus

Jenny’s not pushing guilt; she feeds off of it. She’s a remora fish suckling on a Great White Bettelheim.

“So every mom out there who doesn’t take out loans to pay for quack labs and Big Pharma cures for non-existant yeast infections, is just a bad mom who isn’t trying enough”

How many times have you inferred this exact argument out of anyone who has offered an explanation on how biomedical treatments have helped their children; or at least, how they have perceived biomedical treatments have helped their children? I’ve seen it again and again, and I have read only a sliver of your postings.

Jenny McCarthy isn’t about pushing guilt; but you sure are all about finding people you think are pushing it. Why not try some psycho analysis on that one for a while?

- pD

(PS: That was a Star Wars reference, and yes, a joke).

Love. This.