Autism reversal research is fundamentally flawed
Our review of ‘The Telegraphs’ recent article. Flawed.
From time to time, we see articles and research that suggests that autism, ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions can be cured. The most recent of these has just been published in a reputable UK newspaper The Telegraph “Autism can be reversed, scientists discover”.
This research and article has prompted an immediate emotional and critical response from the neurodiversity community. We need to provide some facts to improve understanding whenever articles are published.
“Cured” or “reversed” - These terms refer to a reduction in symptoms. In the case of autism, the diagnosis includes a number of criteria, including:
Difficulty with small talk;
Difficulty moderating tone and/or volume of voice;
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects or speech;
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines;
Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus; and
Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input.
In addition, the tools used to "measure" autism are subjective, and compare autistic behavior directly with neurotypical behavior to identify what is problematic. Take these two measures in the ATEC, which require the assessor to decide what is appropriate and what isn't:
Plays with toys appropriately; and
Appropriate facial expression.
In summary, Research studies that purport to reduce these symptoms and use the words “cure”, "treat" or “reverse” are not actually changing the underlying neurodivergent condition - they are only changing the behaviors that are shown by the person.
Little need to reduce these symptoms - The neurodiversity community strongly disagrees with the need to reduce these symptoms. At Believe:Neurodiversity, we do not see a need to reduce these symptoms unless they are impairing the person’s quality of life.
Therefore, it is more accurate for research studies to state they they are showing evidence for the reduction of symptoms, not the cure of reversal of the condition.
Why this distinction matters - Most of the research studies and interventions are focused on children, and their criteria of success is to change the behaviour of children towards neurotypical behaviours.
In our experience working with neurodivergent adults, they find these neurodivergent behaviours to be helpful in their life and not a hindrance.
Therefore, the reports of “successful” research are in fact reports of achieving potentially unwanted behavior change in neurodivergent people.
Dan Harris, Chairperson of globally renowned charity, Neurodiversity in Business describes the issue this way...
The autistic boy isn’t broken 🏃
The autistic man does not need a solution
The autistic girl does not need to have a fix
The autistic woman doesn’t need to be cured. 🙋
They are #DifferentNotLess. #Autism is not a disease or illness.
It cannot be cured.
(Our focus should be on early identification and appropriate support)
And yet we continue to regularly see these damaging and sensationalist headlines including from the Telegraph which reaches 2.3 million people a day in the UK!
We completely agree with Dan Harris, and assess this paper and article as FLAWED.
Reviewed materials:
D'Adamo, Chris & Nelson, Josephine & Miller, Sara & Hong, Maria & Lambert, Elizabeth & Ruhm, Heather. (2024). Reversal of Autism Symptoms among Dizygotic Twins through a Personalized Lifestyle and Environmental Modification Approach: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 14. 641.10.3390/jpm14060641.
The Telegraph “Autism can be reversed, scientists discover”