Letter: Autism and guilt

From Hilary Stace

Those familiar with the scientific method may be puzzled why many parents of autistic children seek interventions and therapies with no evidence base (26 June, 42). However, it is not so surprising when you consider the context of autism and parenting.

For decades, parents have been told that they are the cause of their child’s autism. The idea promoted by psychologist Bruno Bettelheim in the 1960s and 70s that autistic behaviours are triggered by a mother’s emotional frigidity is still widely believed. More recently, autism has been attributed to parental genes. Thus a diagnosis of autism can trigger feelings of parental guilt.

Many parents seek to counter the notion that their child’s autism is their fault by doing whatever they can to alleviate the effects, even trying medications and interventions that have not been scientifically verified.

Increasing scientific literacy in the general population would help, as well as more government-funded health and education support services for autism. The best-practice guidelines published by the New Zealand ministries of health and education (bit.ly/9uSYUU) are a good example of how governments can help.

Wellington, New Zealand