Dr. Stuart Vyse of Skeptical Inquirer on Behavior & Belief

Join us as we welcome the esteemed Dr. Stuart Vyse to discuss a range of compelling topics at the forefront of behavior analysis and autism research. In this episode, Dr. Vyse explores the history of the autism diagnosis and the evolving implications of the spectrum concept. We discuss the ongoing conflict between the autism self-advocacy and neurodiversity movements and the unique challenges faced by individuals on the severe end of the autism spectrum.

Dr. Vyse also addresses the controversial resurgence of facilitated communication and its various modern iterations, including the rapid prompting method, spelling to communicate, and the use of letter boards. We examine the spread of the identity-based neurodiversity movement to other conditions like schizophrenia and the push to introduce a diagnosis for severe autism. Tune in for a compelling conversation that navigates these critical issues, shedding light on the complex landscape of autism advocacy and behavior analysis.

Show Notes/Links:

Texts written by Dr. Vyse:

Believing in magic: The psychology of superstition-updated edition. Oxford University Press, USA. Link: https://bit.ly/3WUD35a

Going broke: Why Americans can't hold on to their money. Oxford University Press. Link:https://bit.ly/4dpONlw

Skeptical Inquirer Selected Works by Dr. Vyse on Behavior & Belief:

Link to articles: https://bit.ly/4dtjdnv

Texts Referenced in the Podcast:

Chasing the intact mind: How the severely autistic and intellectually disabled were excluded from the debates that affect them most. Oxford University Press.

Link: https://rb.gy/jbdz2b

Controversial therapies for autism and intellectual disabilities (pp. 3-16). New York: Routledge. Link:https://rb.gy/1otnvj

Referenced Videos, Websites and Papers:

Frontline: Prisoners of Silence (1992) Video: https://rb.gy/aut6bf

Facilitatedcommunication.org was created to counter misleading information about Facilitated Communication and protect the autism community from harm. This forum offers resources, research articles, portrayals in the media, and activism opportunities against facilitated communication.

Mental Illness & the Tragedy of Good Intentions by Dr.Vyse: https://rb.gy/sp3buk

National Council on Severe Autism Website: https://www.ncsautism.org/

Profound Autism Alliance: https://www.profoundautism.org/

Association for Science in Autism Treatment: https://asatonline.org/

Special Issue of Communication in Association for Science in Autism Treatment: https://rb.gy/7t528z