Autism News Beat

An evidence-based resource for journalists

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Entries from March 2014

CDC reports 1:68 prevalence for
autism spectrum disorders

March 27th, 2014 · 1 Comment · Research

Tweet The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 68 children (or 14.7 per 1,000 eight-year-olds) in multiple communities in the United States has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  This new estimate is roughly 30 percent higher than previous estimates reported in 2012 of 1 in 88 children (11.3 per […]

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To reporters on the eve of Autism Awareness Month

March 24th, 2014 · 12 Comments · Critical thinking, Research

Tweet April is Autism Awareness Month, when the words “Somebody get me an autism story” can be heard in newsrooms across the country. Some reporters will answer the call with factually accurate, nuanced, informative pieces that add value to the public’s store of knowledge. Others will just phone in their reports, literally and figuratively. And […]

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The Weather Channel rains on anti-vaccine parade

March 1st, 2014 · No Comments · Critical thinking, Narrative

Tweet Add The Weather Channel to the growing list of media outlets gunning for the anti-vaccine movement.  In “The Dangerous History of Anti-Vaccine Conspiracies”, Jeffrey Kopman forgoes false balance, and instead calls out the fraud, paranoia, and general scientific illiteracy of a movement that recklessly endangers public health. The money quote: “Part of [the movement’s […]

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