3 chapters across the catalog
The White House is illuminated in blue to mark World Autism Awareness Day, fulfilling a promise made by President Trump to the founder of Autism Speaks. Media coverage notes Trump's past statements regarding a potential link between vaccines and autism.
World Autism Awareness Day, DSM-5 Pharmaceutical Criticism
World Autism Awareness Day 2015 prompted a critique of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and its role in expanding the autism spectrum for the pharmaceutical industry. While the Obama administration committed $150 million to the BRAIN Initiative and signed the Autism CARES Act, critics argue the medicalization of the spectrum overlooks the high intelligence of many individuals. Figures like Bill Gates are cited as examples of successful individuals who may fall on the spectrum.
Presidential Proclamations and World Autism Awareness Day
The hosts review recent presidential proclamations, focusing on World Autism Awareness Day and the CDC's timely report on autism rates. They criticize the "BRAIN Initiative" (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) mentioned in Obama's proclamation, arguing that the focus has shifted to "controlling" autism with drugs rather than solving it.
