Countering evidence denial and the promotion of pseudoscience in autism spectrum disorder

Autism Res. 2017 Aug;10(8):1334-1337. doi: 10.1002/aur.1810. Epub 2017 May 22.

Abstract

This commentary introduces a framework within which clinical and research experts in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can address public instances of evidence denial and promotion of pseudoscience related to ASD. This is a generalized extension of work by a World Health Organization (WHO) group dedicated to reducing the influence of Vocal Vaccine Deniers through educating advocates in how to effectively defuse their arguments. The WHO guidelines were informed by conceptual work on the "denialism" phenomenon, and by studies in psychology, communication, vaccine science, and public health. Our goal is to introduce these ideas to, and encourage discussion within, the ASD research community. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1334-1337. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; denialism; evidence; science communication.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health*
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology*
  • Health Communication / methods*
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Humans
  • Research*
  • Vaccination / psychology*
  • World Health Organization