Claremont, Calif. — “Autism politics is like faculty politics on crystal meth,” says Claremont Mackenna College Professor Jack Pitney.
Pitney is the author of a book entitled “The Politics of Autism: Navigating the Contested Spectrum,” which talks about how autism has become a victim of politicking as aspiring politicians try to weigh in on what stand they believe they should take on the issue.
Aspiring leaders such as Donald Trump and Rand Paul were those who decided that vaccines should be blamed for the continuously growing number of children diagnosed with autism, and Carly Fiorina wants vaccines to be optional— hoping that this may be key to keeping the number of autism diagnosis low.
According to Pitney:
“The idea that vaccines cause autism has been thoroughly discredited, but nevertheless, it has a large and loyal following.”
Despite the chaos that surrounds politics and the issue on autism, the author believes that the publicity that comes with it is still a good thing, nevertheless — because it helps raise both awareness and funds for the developmental condition.
Pitney is concerned, however, that most fundings for autism go to “chasing the cure,” which he said may or may not exist — while very little resources is available for adults on the spectrum.
Source: Beau Yarbrough The Daily Bulletin Claremont McKenna professor: Politicians demonize autism