Autism Myths and the Media
June 21, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Does Media coverage perpetuate autism myths?, asks ABC News.
Media coverage does perpetuate autism myths, by oversimplification (suggesting that research on the causes of autism is either “environmental” or “genetic” when both areas, along with the interrelations between the two, need to be studied); by sensationalism (reporting on miracle cures and miraculous treatments). Reporting on the next possible environmental health hazard as a potential cause of autism can distract, and do distort understanding about what autism is.
And that can truly be hazardous.
It appears that the photo of the boy (beneath the headline of the article) is Jamie Handley?
Looks like Jamie Handley to me.
As in the child here?
From this original photo:
http://www.stephenvoss.com/singles/photo09.html