1. Where Do Fads Come From? Chapter 1 By Cara Dougherty

2. How can this information help me to be a better therapist?

3. Treatments Alternative Controversial Pseudoscientific Unsubstantiated Fad

4. “A procedure, method, or therapy that is adopted rapidly in the presence of little validating research, gains wide use or recognition, and then fades from use – usually in the face of disconfirming research, but often due to the adoption of a new fad.”

5. Why are their so many fads? Where do they come from? Why don’t scientifically validated, effective treatments prevail?

6. Modern Medicine vs. Developmental Disability Treatments Today Modern Medicine Scientifically validated techniques – dominant Rigorous research – conducted by many Practitioners – highly qualified, comparable techniques DD Treatments Scientifically validated techniques - exist Rigorous research- conducted by few Practitioners- diverse and varied techniques

7. Before the Revolution 1745 surgeons separated from barbers Training was passed on through apprenticeships Variety of individuals providing medical services Formal training minimal – ministers Wealthy received the best care Revolution slowed advancement 1 hospital and 2 medical schools

8. Revolution - 1900 “Regulars” vs. “Irregulars” Regulars practiced heroic medicine Illness caused by imbalance of 4 bodily humors Treatments -Cupping, Wet Cupping, Purging, Bloodletting

9. Revolution-1900 cont. Rival therapies – Thompsonianism Mirrored social movements “return medicine to common person” Socially well connected Treatment was more humane – Homeopathy “like cures like” Highly diluted – functional placebos

10. American Medical Association AMA formed by “regulars” 1847 Code of ethics – Consultation Clause Late 1800s – scientific medicine began to emerge 1903 code of ethics revised 1910 President urged abandoning both regular and irregular practices in place of “scientific medicine”

11. Origins of Fad Therapies Incomplete Effectiveness of Available Therapies – ABA highest levels of success in 47% of participants – With one consistently dominant treatment – alternative treatments are unnecessary Best Available Treatment is Distasteful – ABA – expensive, demanding, and takes years to complete – Other therapies are a quick fix, “more bang for your buck”

12. Origins of Fad Therapies Alternative Treatment Supported By Ideology – Theories about the disease control treatment – Theories of parenting and nutrition support dietary treatments Treatment Promoted by Proprietary Professional Group – Therapeutic Touch- Nursing – Sensory Integration Therapy – Occupational Therapists – Drug Therapy – Physicians

13. The Fixation of Belief Authority – We accept the word of another – It is necessary to take the word of others – Authorities are frequently wrong – “Regulars” were authorities – No cures for developmental disabilities – Authorities contradict each other in the field of developmental disabilities

14. The Fixation of Belief Tenacity – Human nature to defend beliefs – “Regulars” defended belief in heroic treatments – Make a commitment and stick to it – Parents commit to an ineffective therapy – Strong ideological appeal more difficult to desert

15. The Fixation of Belief A Priori – “Makes sense or feels right” – Widely used, not objective – Draws on broad cultural themes – Biological autism treatments Theory autism is biological The treatment should be biological Secretin Therapy and gluten- and casein free

16. The Fixation of Belief The Scientific Method – Peirce’s solution to the fixation of belief – Empirical methods + adequate controls = beliefs with “external permanency” – Settle treatment disputes using empirical evidence – Take time to build the evidence for or against individual treatments

17. How can this information help me to be a better therapist?

18. How do we help parents of children with developmental disabilities to… Value scientific evidence Seek it out Recognize it when he or she sees it