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A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
Published on: July 31, 2017
Countering evidence denial and the promotion of pseudoscience in autism spectrum disorder
Isabel M Smith1, Noni E MacDonald2
1Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Autism Research Centre, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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.
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