tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post752400043411120352..comments2024-03-25T17:14:36.888+00:00Comments on BishopBlog: Susan Greenfield and autistic spectrum disorder: was she misrepresented?deevybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15118040887173718391noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-40369498486862702002018-07-12T14:38:53.455+01:002018-07-12T14:38:53.455+01:00It will be useful for students to check this out. ...It will be useful for students to <a href="https://resumecvwriter.com/blog/how-to-write-a-cover-letter" rel="nofollow">check this out</a>. Here you can read advices about writing a cover letter. Richard Majecehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00744139132776752086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-81926351929051884122012-03-01T11:41:13.601+00:002012-03-01T11:41:13.601+00:00Just stumbled up on this belatedly and wanted to s...Just stumbled up on this belatedly and wanted to say what a fabulous job you've done here Prof. Bishop. I couldn't agree with you more regarding both the argument you've made and your handling of the correspondent. This post would be better titled "a lesson in how to conduct a dignified academic argument with a troll".Neurobonkershttp://neurobonkers.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-91143384403614091862012-01-30T20:24:34.698+00:002012-01-30T20:24:34.698+00:00Just to correct you Lewis,Greenfield was Director ...Just to correct you Lewis,Greenfield was Director of the Royal Institution. She has never been a Fellow of the Royal Society, though she did win their Michael Faraday medal for disseminating science to the public in 1998.deevybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15118040887173718391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-85419079845256854282012-01-30T13:17:56.314+00:002012-01-30T13:17:56.314+00:00I do not see what the problem is in engaging with ...I do not see what the problem is in engaging with "intemperate personal attacks" personal attacks on an individual who was president of the Royal Society, a role that seeks to disseminate science and knowledge to the public while peddling her agenda the daily mail on a very frequent basis. It is simply astonishing that she makes all these claims with no evidence to back her claims, and having such an eminent position. Incidently the Royal society ran into financial difficulties while she was in charge and was sacked, which apparently due to her gender and not her staggering incompetance. In addition to her book on the subject that has been raised, (a significant conflict of interest for any paper that she does now publish btw)she also sells a nintendo DS game (to the best of my knowledge she endorses such a game advertised along with her comments in daily mail articles) that helps improve brain function, though I am uncertain that she mentions autism or ASD etc.<br /><br />Her intention, as it seems to myself, is to profiteer from the concerns and anxieties of the modern day parent both of those with children of ASD and those without. <br />She could attempt to prove her cynics wrong and we would all be happy to conceed, if they were set out in a peer reviewed journal and backed by either qualitative, or quantitative (or a combination thereof) data. Until then she deserves our scorn for bringing science and a loved institution into disrepute.Dr Lewis Standingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-15100004352985239702012-01-09T18:42:27.211+00:002012-01-09T18:42:27.211+00:00Fabulous work Professor Bishop. I am astounded - a...Fabulous work Professor Bishop. I am astounded - and horrified - to find a professor does not know that ASD is a synonym for autism in its many interesting guises. My son has Aspergers, which was diagnosed long before he touched a computer. However, he could read at age two. Maybe those dastardly books - even though he read them on my lap - caused his autism?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-4378359735323005092011-09-05T18:12:19.955+01:002011-09-05T18:12:19.955+01:00It is a lesson that unqualified opinion relates to...It is a lesson that unqualified opinion relates to the strength of the evidence for assertions, more than the person giving them. Science has a way of enforcing humility.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-12096734765562062042011-09-04T10:03:54.738+01:002011-09-04T10:03:54.738+01:00well my DD was diagnosed autistic just over 2yo, a...well my DD was diagnosed autistic just over 2yo, and my husband was diagnosed aspergers at age 40! So I guess you could say I have experienced both development disorders in a way. Personally I too have always loved S. Greenfield's work, i still have her VHS video on the brain - gee that must be old!!! (I don't even have a video player anymore!) Anyways, I think she should explore these kind of possible causes/contributors to autism and the like, but she appears to lack sensitivity to some people about how little is really known about Autism. Possible causes are thrown around all the time. We who live with Autism have no come to accept this. But it would be nice if she (with her reputation) were to opine that there is some link between modern technology and autism, that she be more specific, ideally backed up with research. Otherwise, it can come across counter-productive.One of my Hobby Blogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05282982287412178840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-75510688175726725572011-08-24T16:46:33.789+01:002011-08-24T16:46:33.789+01:00Nico, it's well known that experience changes ...Nico, it's well known that experience changes the brain; it can even lead to developmental delay (cf children who have experienced severe neglect). However, that's not relevant to whether internet use (in late childhood) can cause autistic spectrum disorder (in early childhood).<br /><br />I do know that when I write about other people's scientific findings for the non-scientific public, if I had some conclusions beforehand, it's really hard to avoid bringing them in, but it has to be done.Katiehttp://evidencebasedparenting.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-32982356425726674702011-08-17T04:37:47.705+01:002011-08-17T04:37:47.705+01:00Dr Brock, I've never been embrace by a book ei...Dr Brock, I've never been embrace by a book either. <br /><br />Will DSM5 define our condition?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-56088272875770908342011-08-15T09:37:38.248+01:002011-08-15T09:37:38.248+01:00Just to throw some oil on the fire, learning to re...Just to throw some oil on the fire, learning to read has been shown to trigger structural changes in the brain:<br />Carreiras, M. et al. An anatomical signature for literacy. Nature 461, 983-986 (2009) http://bit.ly/70VbcX.<br /><br />Interestingly, the changes are different whether literacy was acquired in childhood or adulthood.Nicohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05451083510383812797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-49335722888992481612011-08-14T15:10:46.125+01:002011-08-14T15:10:46.125+01:00Can only think of a bit of adhom now - your corres...Can only think of a bit of adhom now - your correspondent is an arse and hasn't read one recent autism/ASD/ASC paper. (But in case she or he might give me a job in future, I think I shall go anonymous.)<br /><br />Reminded me of Rutter (2011, p. 657): "... What would not be possible is the contrast between autism and Asperger syndrome, but it is already clear that that does not work anyway within DSM-IV or ICD-10... if the Asperger diagnosis is to be dropped, it would be crucial to change the title from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to autism spectrum patterns (ASP). Some individuals with Asperger syndrome do not view themselves as having a 'disorder' and, if they are coping well, intervention would not be justified."<br /><br />Rutter, M. (2011). Research Review: Child psychiatric diagnosis and classification: concepts, findings, challenges and potential. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 52, 647--660.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-50013073254407138842011-08-14T05:23:37.797+01:002011-08-14T05:23:37.797+01:00From Greenfield's latest media appearance:
&q...From Greenfield's <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/susan-greenfield-computers-may-be-altering-our-brains-2336059.html" rel="nofollow">latest</a> media appearance:<br /><br />"How can young people develop empathy if they conduct relationships via a medium which does not allow them the opportunity to gain full experience of eye contact, interpret voice tone or body language, and learn how and when to give and receive hugs? This is where experts in autistic spectrum disorders, and autistic-like behaviours, could really provide a valuable perspective."<br /><br />Obviously, this is very different to what she said earlier in the week in relation to autism and internet use. I hope your professor friend acknowledges this is a smokescreen rather than maintaining that this was what she was saying all along. <br /><br />I hope Greenfield really does consult with experts in autism. They would be able to tell her about the beneficial effects of technology and the internet, both for social skills learning and for reducing social isolation. They could also pass on their experience of dealing with pseudoscience and hypotheses that never stand still long enough to be tested. While she's there, she could ask about what happens when people start speculating about environmental causes of autism when they don't have any evidence.<br /><br />On a separate note, she should probably also be advocating research into the consequences of reading. After all, a book offers no opportunity for eye contact, voice tone, or body language. Maybe it's just me, but I've never had a hug from a book. :(drbrocktagonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15225859145004971487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-53342995495336974112011-08-12T17:50:44.131+01:002011-08-12T17:50:44.131+01:00Dr. Greenfield has a book coming out in September....Dr. Greenfield has a book coming out in September.<br /><br />We have opportunists in America, too. I can say this...I have nothing to lose.<br /><br />Frankly, I was thinking of setting up a bookie sheet. Bishop versus Greenfield. He/she who guesses closest to the Amazon Rank of each professor's book by the end of the year wins a copy of the winning book. I'm betting on "The Case of the Fremantle Fingers" which is currently around #300,000 versus Dr. Greenfield's " ID: The Quest For Identity In The 21st Century" which ranks at over #1,000,000, with #1 being the bestseller. (I wouldn't actually do this because gambling is illegal; besides, I can't find the software for a bookie sheet.)<br /><br />I wish I could afford a kindle. I'd help "Fremantle" out.<br /><br />We notice, Dr. Bishop, I promise you! You've got our back, we've got yours!<br /><br />A parent of an "autistic" child.Usethebrains Godgiveyouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05026223483117357541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-4564788279745344372011-08-12T17:46:12.332+01:002011-08-12T17:46:12.332+01:00Great point Maxine; I was about to make the same w...Great point Maxine; I was about to make the same when I saw your comment. He really does go off on a tangent and ignore a lot of the problems with Susan G's public musings... I also find it striking that this "eminent professor" is obviously not happy to have his name put to his pedantic thoughts. I am in awe of how well (and patiently) Dorothy responds to these. I'm so glad there are scientists like you out there.Joannanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-78881692645029080402011-08-12T16:37:10.549+01:002011-08-12T16:37:10.549+01:00I'm just a layman but I find it properly scary...I'm just a layman but I find it properly scary how 'science' gets publicly manipulated to fit people's agendas. Susan Greenfield talks nonsense and gets the Downing Street tea party treatment while David Nutt gets fired for taking the opposite approach to evidence. I can only hope the scientific community doesn't work on the same principles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-74007943250989829052011-08-12T15:50:19.417+01:002011-08-12T15:50:19.417+01:00Is he suggesting that Aspergers remain a distinct ...Is he suggesting that Aspergers remain a distinct diagnosis <i>because of</i> the internet's greenfieldian effect?nerkulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927301561819474314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-60961939956418106152011-08-12T15:49:38.342+01:002011-08-12T15:49:38.342+01:00The person who is writing to you seems to be more ...The person who is writing to you seems to be more interested in the minutiae of defining this disorder and of when it might first become symptomatic. He does not seem at all interested in engaging with the two main points you are making: (1) Prof Greenfield's apparent implication that internet and other screen use are causitively related to these clinical disorders; and (2) lack of peer-reviewed evidence for this implication. I think these are the main points at issue and your correspondent is more interested in a side issue.Maxine Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06628509319992204770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-15518401468325543772011-08-12T14:08:29.455+01:002011-08-12T14:08:29.455+01:00if Greenfield genuinely feels she has never linked...if Greenfield genuinely feels she has never linked autistic spectrum disorders with internet use and social media, then the only misrepresentation comes from her own mouth. "I point to the increase in autism and I point to internet use. That's all." If she casts untried assertions in the public domain, they must be critiqued in the public domain. Scientists have a responsibility to convey evidence-based communication. The Lancet MMR scare had undoubtable deleterious effects on health. Making an example of aspersions by the likes of Greenfield may well prevent similar incidents in future, and should be encouraged, not rebuked.jopoldnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08627280610457163215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-79556069778485816432011-08-12T13:26:21.774+01:002011-08-12T13:26:21.774+01:00You have my applause, and more importantly that of...You have my applause, and more importantly that of Uta Frith, certainly a leading expert on child autism. It sounds like this guy read the one piece from the Baroness and disregarded her long trend of publishing this crud. Those of us who have actually spent time researching the intersection of development, digital technology, and cognition have long viewed Greenfield's screeds as little more than technohysteria for the want of book sales.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-85806379285208778392011-08-12T12:51:15.606+01:002011-08-12T12:51:15.606+01:00Well done! This kind of pseudoscientific ramblings...Well done! This kind of pseudoscientific ramblings to support someones private (and often bizarre) opinion is becoming all too common!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05196044670587993430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841910768079015534.post-11964838717555638152011-08-12T12:13:56.058+01:002011-08-12T12:13:56.058+01:00Beyond the (eye-popping) specifics of this discuss...Beyond the (eye-popping) specifics of this discussion, I think you make the most important general point about Greenfield's interventions. <br /><br />She is indeed really alone amongst the increasing number of 'public engagement' specialists to start from her own ideas (some might say prejudices), float them in a general fashion within the media, and then worry about evidence afterwards. I find her approach utterly bewildering - why on earth would you want to go about it in this way? She's a trained and published scientist, she knows the right way to go about testing theories and she must know that publicising controversial ideas in this way is going to get her shot down by people in the relevant fields. <br /><br />Is it instead some form of political play, or some form of attempt to raise her profile after the mess at the RI?Charlie Wilson @crewilsonnoreply@blogger.com