Tony Humphreys has also claimed that asthma and irritable bowel syndrome are caused by a “lack of parental affection”, ADHD simply “does not exist”, dyslexia is a “result of child sexual abuse” and homosexuality is caused by “absent fathers and overly affectionate mothers”. Humphreys also defended Darina Allen’s husband, Tim, after he was convicted of possessing 93 child porn images in 2003, on the grounds that Allen was “suffering from an addiction”.
I wonder why nobody has openly challenged Humphreys before? His views in relation to asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, homosexuality and his defence of Tim Allen are equally as offensive.
If someone had spoken up and openly criticised Humphreys years ago, would anyone have ever given him the opportunity to write such a deeply offensive and hurtful article about autism, and in particular, the parents of autistic children? Would he have appeared on Ireland AM this morning?
There are two opinion pieces written in relation to this controversy which I agree with completely – one written by Kieran Kennedy, from Shine/Irish Progressive Association in Cork, which praises the Irish Examiner for its extensive coverage of disability rights campaigns: http://www.examiner.ie/news/attacking-messenger-does-disabled-community-no-service-183135.html And the other from Victoria White, a mother of an autistic son, who says that people like Tony Humphreys and many psychologists, in general, have an instinctive need to “defend their territory” – most psychologists were trained before autism was very widely recognised, and they have not yet caught up http://www.examiner.ie/features/states-services-must-catch-up-with-what-parents-already-know-184500.html
Nowadays, there is more media coverage of autism and Asperger Syndrome than EVERY other disability combined, and with 1 in every 100 children diagnosed, many people simply want a “piece of the action”. There has been no shortage of professionals and organisations willing to exploit those who are diagnosed with autism – Google “Cassandra Affective Deprivation Disorder” for example, a condition which is usually “suffered” by non-autistic women, who are in a relationship with someone who is diagnosed with or believed to have Asperger Syndrome. Since many parents of children with ASD also have broader autism characteristics themselves, I can draw certain parallels between Tony Humphreys’ theories and the theories of Maxine Aston, the marriage counsellor who came up with the Cassandra syndrome. While one theory is widely attacked by parents and psychologists alike, (and rightly so!) the other theory has been widely promoted by many parent and family organisations and eminent psychologists, such as Tony Attwood.
Autism is still a highly controversial, complex and emotive issue and even many of those who do specialise in the area, and who have openly condemned Tony Humphreys, do not know everything there is to know about autism or autistic people. For all the “awareness” that there is, the debate has not moved on beyond “causes” and “cures”, “therapies” and “treatments” and “epidemics” and whether or not autism exists. It is about time the debate changed.

I guess research that shows autism could be detected in children as young as 6 months using brain scans doesnt mean anything in Humphreys universe?

http://singularityhub.com/2012/02/23/brain-scans-detect-autism-in-six-month-olds/

Maybe MRI machines are just theories and the brain is an invention of the media?

I’d really love to know how many of the people who comment on this item actually have experience of living or working with children with autism. And before someone asks, I have worked with autistic children from right across the spectrum and their parents, for many years. I am also well-qualified and well-read on the matter. I can assure any of the parents who are concerned that their rearing has in some way contributed to their child’s autism, as Tony Humphreys asserts, that such opinions are in the minority among those who study autism.
My assertion is supported widely in all but fringe literature on the disorder.
There are certainly children who, due to emotional and physical abuse, can manifest some or all of the triad of impairments that are “indicative” of autism in a child.
However to say that anything other than a miniscule amount of children are misdiagnosed, when in fact they are suffering from emotional or psychiatric disturbance, is ridiculous.
Autism is not a disorder caused by parenting, simple as that. Another myth that needs to be exploded is the one that the majority of children diagnosed with ADHD are in fact just “bold”. I have also extensive experience in dealing with these children and have always seen these children’s character transformed by medication. Medication helps these children manifest their true character, invariably a gentle one, that previously has been overpowered by urges and behaviours beyond their control.
While these are my opinions, I would submit that while my opinions are based on close study of these children on a daily basis for years,and interaction with children and their parents, Dr. Humphrey’s opinions are not. I await correction on this point.
Being a parent of a child with autism is difficult enough without the shadow of guilt being cast on one. The vast majority of parents of autistic children that I know are normal, everyday parents who have children with extraordinary needs.

No peer reviewed work to support Humpreys. In other words he has no evidence to support his theory.

Keith Duffy is on his way around to Humphreys’ house to punch him.

Are people taking “theory” to mean “unproven”? Because that’s a wee bit daft. Some theories are unproven, some are disproved and discarded and some have been proved.

Tony Humphreys seems to be conflating the concepts of “theories” and “unproven theories”.

Seems a bit odd for a man of some apparent learning.

I’m the mum of a recently diagnosed child with aspergers….this man has done nothing to help parents like me, all he has done is cause pain and guilt in making us believe we are somehow to blame. I am glad he was given a chance to clarify his comments in the article he wrote but he has a long way to go to undo the damage he has done.

Autism is caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. The recent rises in the incidences of both autism and ADHD are largely due to greater awareness of the conditions, broadening diagnostic criteria and sociological factors.

I have Asperger’s syndrome. My own research convinces me that much of the increase is also due to pre-natal exposure to environmental chemicals which disrupt GABA(A) receptor functioning. These include insecticides, phthalates ans bisphenol A. However, I believe folic acid is the main culprtit. More here:

http://www.nfkbdiseases.wordpress.com

John o’neill well said thank you ….a parent of an autistic child who if was rid of the autism tomorrow i would miss that child because my life is richer since my daughter came along we adore her so much

Severe Autism or Asperger’s is most definitely genetically based (as opposed to being a genetic ‘disorder’) whereas mild cases are, for example in a child, often mistaken for precociousness or an acute and innate sense of individuality. Generalisations and labelling are counter-productive when each case is so obviously unique to the individual.

The guy needs help.

I’m running a book on how long it takes Leigh Walsh to post a comment calling HUMPHREYS a ‘sociopath’….who wants in?

I am not a qualified psychologist as the other commenters seem to be, but there seems to be a trend in recent scientific research (at least the one that makes it to the mainstream media) away from the paradigm explaining every condition via genetic markers. Personally I think that is a welcome change and parents with children suffering from autism or Asperger’s should welcome any research that could help them treat / manage this condition.

Is he now trying to suggest that autism does not exist at all, as it is “a theory” rather than “a fact”? Usually when people start throwing around these words they have misunderstood them, and are claiming that the “theory” is inaccurate or worthless.

Of course, autism is neither theory nor fact, it is just a description of a range of symptoms. If we’re being really generous to this fella we might assume that he is trying to say that theories concerning the development of autism are incomplete or otherwise deficient, and in that he would undoubtedly be correct, but I don’t see how he got from there to claiming that it is caused by a lack of parental love.

This loon just keeps on digging.

Is this guy for real my god.

It certainly is Elaine. How about dignity, respect, self-determination, inclusiveness and listening. Rather than pathologising everything, we could learn to embrace difference. Apparently bereavement is on the next list of things to get a psychiatric diagnosis…

IBTG
In Before The Gravity!

I would say a few doctors who referred patients are currently looking up their insurance cover. Shame on this man as he has brought the profession into question. My heart goes out to the hurt people who must carry on expressing their love by caring for their sons and daughters 24/7. Will he be struck off – I bet not. Will he be asked to write again – I bet yes. Possible boycott of the paper involved is needed.

This shows the folly of assuming that experts in treatment know anything about the causes of the conditions they study – quite a lot of them do, but many do not.

The best current evidence on autism aetiology is that there is a big genetic component, some evidence that various problems in pregnancy and at delivery may increase risk, and very limited data suggesting a role for environmental pollutants. There’s no evidence that parenting style matters at all in causing autism. It matters in lots of other ways of course, but not as a cause of autism.

He can not defend the indefensible !!!

This bloke’s view beggars belief, he’s obviously not living in the real world if he thinks Autism is a theory and that it’s down, at least in part, to some parents not expressing enough love to their children.

Just because some research is carried out doesn’t mean the results, whatever they are, are correct. This particular research must have been carried out by a bunch of half wits that didn’t understand what they were researching. Correlation does not always mean Causation.

This Humphreys bloke needs to keep his mouth firmly shut in future, he’s a misguided fool.

We should starve this man of the oxygen of publicity. I believe in the freedom of speech but this guy’s views are beyond the pale. Think it may be a case of psychologist heal thyself!

Dr humpries being a doctor should do his research before he guesses on autism. Its like someone going on tv saying smoking is good for you the mn has made a stupid comment and is enjoying the uproar…. Parents ignore this comment as a mother of an autisic child we know they are smothered wit love and thats all that matters not some doctor looking for a headline

Media and public attention is the oxygen idiots like him need to survive, TV3 should have known better.

As far as I know his is not a Clinical Psychologist. Is he registered with the PSI? Has he done the diploma in professional practice? I thought he went by consultant psychologist (by the way I’m a consultant psychologist and so is my dog). I don’t think there is any regulation governing who can call themselves terms like Clinical Psychologist.

Fair play michael thank you

Why is the man not allowed to write what he wants? I don’t agree with what he has said, nor do I agree with doctors labelling children with all these different disabilities. I do find it hard to understand why people must abuse and criticise somebody they don’t agree with. If any of us want to speak our minds, surely we have that right? If you think he is wrong that’s fine but why the attack on the man? He referenced a book on a topic of great interest and pain for some people, is that so bad? The way people are talking above seems a bit over the top for me. We all don’t have to agree on a topic but respect for each other should never be lost!

I agree with him and think there is something in this. Look at people’s social skills- a lot ot it comes back to the interaction people had as a kid with their parents, and how much emotional intelligence was passed on, nurtured, encouraged and developed in them, etc. It’s completely possible that a young child shuts down and locks itself into its own mind if they perceive on some level they are not being listened to or interacted with, and obviously if this triggers the part of the brain in question in a negative way, well who’s to say it doesn’t loop?

Not this thick again… and where are the governments actions in revoking his license to work due to basing his theory on falsified research? Action needs to be taken on this plonk, his type is what we should be making an example of(in a bad way).

This mans comments are a disgrace. What he suggested was just beyond belief! Next of all he’ll tell us there’s a ‘cure’ a clown.

the msn is a muppet!

Adhd equals excuse for a bold child with bad parents. Bold child disorder

I agree with Humphreys.But not only is it a theory it is a redundant theory that too many so called ‘medical professionals’ use because they couldn’t be bothered to make a decent effort.

Here Here Tony Humpfreys.

Well said Lisa. The hysterical baying mob are doing themselves no favours.

@peter, are you serious about your comment??? I Think you are just trolling with remark.

This guy is trying to help and is obviously close to the research so why are people so upset? Why remove his article and branding him in the negative?

Of course parents will feel guilty and defensive but when a problem is there it has to be understood before it can be treated and the parents are not the victims, the children with the disorders are so forget the guilt and try and understand the problem.

People reacted crazy and irrational when they were told the earth wasn’t flat at all but the scientists of the day knew different as would this guy I presume.

Christine

Will you stop givin this prat airtime if you want to give me a ring I can discuss how to change a politician into a humanoid