Great question. Personally, I think that stigma has been reduced by increased awareness about the disorder. Obviously, this is a great thing as folks who meet criteria for any disorder on the autism spectrum are thus less likely to be mistreated or misunderstood.

At the same time, I think publicity also has had its deleterious effects. As is the case with any phenomenon that receives significant media attention, the balance in what is covered has been skewed. What I mean is, research findings, untested theories, and theories inconsistent with data receive equal attention. As a result, a convincing individual with a compelling personal story is seen as providing equally valid information regarding autism spectrum disorders as are individuals who systematically study such conditions.

This, in my opinion, is horrifying. I don't say that to demean individuals who tell compelling stories or who have alternative beliefs, but rather to emphasize the importance of understanding the facts as laid out by data rather than relying on our well intentioned, but oftentimes misguided hearts when it comes to mental illness.

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Yes. I agree. Sometimes unfortunately celebrities are put on TV and are treated as "experts". I often wish that they would have more scientists on these shows like Oprah or CNN to give the more objective perspective rather than the anecdotal perspective, which is obviously important, but obviously biased.

I'm in the UK and what I usually see in the media when it discusses things like this is they usually have a patient and an expert on the show together, they talk to the patient first about their personal experience, and then they talk to the expert for a wider view.