Author: kfwilliams
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The Evolution of Autism – Part III: The Revolt against the Refrigerator Mom
As a result of Bruno Bettleheim’s work, mothers found themselves under the microscope when they sought help for their children. Many blamed themselves while others protested. One father, in particular, Dr. Bernard Rimland, was so against the allegation, that autism was caused by the parents, by the professional community that he began a five-year journey…
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A Behaviorist’s Perspective on the Measles Outbreak
The refrigerator mother theory may appear to be a small footnote in the history of autism, but its impact has had a profound effect on the autistic community. This post is meant to provide context and perspective for one of the growing threats to global health: vaccine hesitancy – the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate…
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The Evolution of Autism – Part II: Refrigerator Mother
As instrumental as Leo Kanner was in forming the ‘Refrigerator Mother’ hypothesis (remember his statement on how children with autism were ‘kept neatly in refrigerators which did not defrost’ – see part I), it was Bruno Bettelheim who gave it widespread popularity. While he didn’t perform any studies, he wrote extensively on the subject throughout…
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