The Intuitive Parent

Autism

Autistic Rights Do Not Depend on Reading or Writing Ability

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on September 22, 2023

We often see reports of nonverbal autistic people showing remarkable ability using facilitated co-communication. Are we making judgments based on neurotypical values?

We often see reports of nonverbal autistic people showing remarkable ability using facilitated co-communication. Are we making judgments based on neurotypical values?

Autism

Stolen Voices: Facilitated Communication Devalues Autism

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on April 17, 2023

Facilitated communication can devalue autistic people by stealing their voices in the name of conforming to neurotypical expectations and stereotypes.

Facilitated communication can devalue autistic people by stealing their voices in the name of conforming to neurotypical expectations and stereotypes.

Autism

Rethinking the Autism Spectrum

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on November 28, 2022

Perhaps the autism spectrum should be sorted into childhood-onset autism and adult-identified autism.

Perhaps the autism spectrum should be sorted into childhood-onset autism and adult-identified autism.

Education

Post Pandemic Back to School and Recovering Lost Learning

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on August 11, 2022

A generation of students has lost two years of learning. Our current response is crucial for their future.

A generation of students has lost two years of learning. Our current response is crucial for their future.

Autism

Unintended Consequences of the Expanding Autism Spectrum

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on April 13, 2022

Is it unethical to teach autistic children to communicate?

Is it unethical to teach autistic children to communicate?

Autism

Should Children With Autism (ASD) Be Taught Social Skills?

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on November 18, 2021

Children with disabilities have basic rights that must always be respected including opportunities to participate in society and to receive an education.

Children with disabilities have basic rights that must always be respected including opportunities to participate in society and to receive an education.

Education

Challenges for Students Returning to School In-Person

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on August 9, 2021

After more than a year away from school, it will take time for all students to reacclimatize to in-person teaching. Students with disabilities will need even more support.

After more than a year away from school, it will take time for all students to reacclimatize to in-person teaching. Students with disabilities will need even more support.

Identity

The Man Who Made Faces

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on April 5, 2021

Our faces are a ubiquitous part of identity that we take for granted, until something happens that alters our appearance.

Our faces are a ubiquitous part of identity that we take for granted, until something happens that alters our appearance.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

What Does “Science Say” When the “Science” Is Rescinded?

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on December 16, 2020

Lessons from hydroxychloroquine (HCQ): Proclaiming what "the science says" can be difficult, misleading, and subject to revision—or even retraction.

Lessons from hydroxychloroquine (HCQ): Proclaiming what "the science says" can be difficult, misleading, and subject to revision—or even retraction.

Law and Crime

Enlightening Lessons from Miguel Servato and Steven Pinker

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on September 8, 2020

The free exchange of ideas, debate, and scientific discovery are the foundation of civil society, regardless of political or religious views. The alternative is darkness.

The free exchange of ideas, debate, and scientific discovery are the foundation of civil society, regardless of political or religious views. The alternative is darkness.

Smoking

Charter Schools: What Does the Science Say?

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on June 29, 2020

Charter schools are controversial, but are they better than public schools in unbiased comparisons?

Charter schools are controversial, but are they better than public schools in unbiased comparisons?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Supporting Children With Disabilities in Challenging Times

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on April 10, 2020

Ensuring that people with disabilities do not unnecessarily become victims of the COVID-19 pandemic: moral and ethical considerations,

Ensuring that people with disabilities do not unnecessarily become victims of the COVID-19 pandemic: moral and ethical considerations,

Cognition

Breakthroughs in Language and Literacy in Children Born Deaf

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on February 25, 2020

New discoveries in hearing science and surgical techniques restore hearing and accelerate development in children born with severe to profound hearing loss.

New discoveries in hearing science and surgical techniques restore hearing and accelerate development in children born with severe to profound hearing loss.

Autism

Distinguishing Social Activism and Healthy Scientific Debate

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on October 25, 2019

Impassioned scientific debate and criticism are essential for discovery. Social activism aimed at bullying scientists into abandoning research is antithetical to discovery.

Impassioned scientific debate and criticism are essential for discovery. Social activism aimed at bullying scientists into abandoning research is antithetical to discovery.

Media

The Dark Side of Social Media Activism in Science

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on July 22, 2019

Will clinical-translational discovery be derailed when targeted by social activism?

Will clinical-translational discovery be derailed when targeted by social activism?

Genetics

Public Policy, Chromosomes, Genes, and Societal “Cures”

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on April 5, 2019

Public policy on the use of genetic testing must include protection for all people.

Public policy on the use of genetic testing must include protection for all people.

In science, as in life, being "old" is not necessarily a vice.

Why does the "vaccines cause autism" myth persist even in the face of overwhelming evidence that vaccines do not cause autism?

Education

(Intellectual) Death by Worksheets in Today's Schools

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on September 12, 2018

Kindergarten children's latent love of learning is being destroyed by attempts to "teach to the test" and prepare for a lifetime of worksheet drudgery.

Kindergarten children's latent love of learning is being destroyed by attempts to "teach to the test" and prepare for a lifetime of worksheet drudgery.

Autism

The Ongoing Rise in Autism: What in the World Is Going On?

Stephen Camarata Ph.D. on May 8, 2018

Why do the reported rates of autism keep rising? And, will they keep rising despite new programs designed to detect and treat it?

Why do the reported rates of autism keep rising? And, will they keep rising despite new programs designed to detect and treat it?