Today is Autism Awareness Day. I just read this article through the BBC website re:autism treatment (or the complete lack of) in France. This is absolutely crazy!!
Here is the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17583123
It appears that medical establishment in France are still stuck on Freud and his theories. This is soooo unbelievable! You would think that a developed and educated country, such as France, would have their act together. Talk about being in complete denial....let's just sweep it all under the carpet because Freud said so! My heart always goes out to the kids are their families. All this is so unfair to them and their current needs.
The examples in the article shared remind me of some of the questions that parents brought up during my workshops in India in February, 2011. Questions such as "does my child have autism because the mom is a software engineer and worked on her computer during pregnancy?". Refrigerator mom theories and beliefs still exist in India and around the world. In the process of denial and acceptance of this heart-breaking diagnosis, parents are trying to answer the question "why me?", "why us?". I understand when these questions are asked by parents, as they are trying to come to terms with their child's diagnosis.
It certainly does not help, if professionals (who are supposed to be the experts) ask questions such as "was this a wanted pregnancy?", "what kind of dreams did you have during pregnancy?". Really?? Let's blame the parents.....because they don't feel devastated enough! Let's recommend family psychotherapy...because that is what Freud would have done some 200 years ago!
Yes, shame on you France! Shame on you!!
