Sacramento doctor takes unconventional approach to autism...

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Sacramento doctor takes unconventional approach to autism (The Sacramento Bee)

(I'm not sure what appears to the author to be so unconventional about what appears to me to be a scientific approach.)

By Dorsey Griffith - [email protected]

In the controversial world of autism treatment, mainstream medical doctors are increasingly pitted against alternative providers in the quest to figure out causes and develop treatments.

Dr. Michael Chez, a neurologist specializing in child autism, likens talking about the neurodevelopmental disorder to discussing politics or religion.

"Many times, I have wanted to give it up, because it's hard to keep your ego from being beaten up all the time," said Chez, who practices at Sutter Health and holds a teaching position at UC Davis. "You're portrayed as part of the Evil Empire of the Darth Vader Medical Society."

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The controversy arises because the doctor seems to be advocating the use of anticonvulsant drugs in all cases of autism, based on limited case studies, and with no underlying reproducible experiments (the heart of the scientific method) to prove his hypothesis.

Now, this is contained in the space of a newspaper article, with quotations chosen by the reporter (whose main interest is in selling newspapers), so perhaps the appearance is not entirely accurate - but that is how it appears.

"You're portrayed as part of the Evil Empire of the Darth Vader Medical Society."

That alone should raise the red flags, every quack - and their support - like to complain about the establishment, how they're ignored, painted black etc.

Incredible how these frauds can get away with their abuse.

I have a serious problem with prescribing drugs to people in the hopes that it might change things.

My brother could have been irreparably damaged by the ritalin he was forced to take for years even though it was the wrong drug.