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Insulting and outrageous: James Reilly slams Tony Humphreys autism comments

The Minister for Health has a 25-year-old autistic son Jamie.

MINISTER FOR HEALTH Dr James Reilly has called Dr Tony Humphreys’ claim that there is a link between parenting and the development of austism “utterly outrageous”.

“The hurt he has caused people is astonishing,” he told TV3 News in an interview about the controversial remarks by the clinical psychologist. “I still see the hurt – 25 years later - that it caused my wife.”

Reilly has a 25-year-old austistic son and this was his first public comment on the suggestion that there is a link between autism and parents not showing love and affection to their young children. Jamie did not talk until he was five but he has since graduated from Trinity College Dublin with an honours degree in genetics.

The Minister also moved to reassure parents that there is no link between parenting skills and the disorder.

Last week, Humphreys stood over the comments first made in his Irish Examiner article on 3 February. Speaking to Claire Byrne on the Marian Finucane Show he once more suggested that there is a link between the expression of love to a child and autism.

Reilly said that his interview on RTÉ Radio compounded the hurt he caused to parents.

He said that he thought it was a good news story because parents would not have to worry or feel guilty about passing on their bad genes to their children. What?Another utter insult to parents.”

Concluding his interview with TV3′s Ursula Halligan, Reilly urged parents to not set a limit on their children.

“Experts will come and go but you know your child…Keep fighting and we will support you.”

Humphreys’ article was highly criticised by numerous austism support groups and other psychologists. Pat Matthews from the Irish Autism Society said that if the psychologist is as insensitive as he seems then he has “no business in the autism field”.

Humphreys told TV3 News that he regrets if his comments caused hurt but he does not regret speaking what he believes is the truth. The original article has since been removed from the Irish Examiner website.

More: Tony Humphreys stands by controversial autism comments>

Read: Controversial autism article should be retracted – PSI >

Column: Does Tony Humphreys believe I don’t love my children enough? >

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51 Comments
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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:08 AM

    Was in the car and heard snippets of the show but didn’t know who it was. Wife and I both agreed the guy was bonkers.

    The comment was not only offensive to people with autism, their family and friends, but also to anybody with common sense.

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    Mute Joe Sixtwo
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:00 AM

    Well Dr Reilly why don’t you get off your fat arse and do something about the quacks like Dr Tony Humphreys and other charlatans.

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:12 AM

    Joe,

    Are you seriously suggesting it’s Dr. Reilly’s fault? Blaming victims of quakery for the quack’s existence.

    Dr. Humphrey is clinical psychologist (a qualified doctor) and if his comments are quakery, it is up to the IMO to bar him frmo practice.

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    Mute David Higgins
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:19 AM

    He just did in case you didn’t notice! It’s not for a minister to go sacking people just because he disagrees with their views on the causes of autism.

    Sadly this doctor is perfectly entitled to his view and we’re all entitled to call it out for the nonsense it is. I say well done to Minister Reilly for speaking out on this one.

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    Mute Ross Bowe
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:33 AM

    No a clinical psychologist isn’t a qualified doctor unless you’re talking about the PhD kind which I assume you’re not since you mentioned the IMO (obviously confusing it with the medical council). I do agree though that what Humphreys said is absolute bullshit and Reilly clearly cannot be held responsible for what he says.

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    Mute Sean Armstrong
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:42 AM

    The voice of a generation Rosser.

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    Mute Stephen Doherty
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:12 AM

    Nowadays a clinical psychologist has a doctorate but is not a medical practitioner, e.g. having a D. Clin., D. Psyc., PhD, form of doctorate not an MD.

    Clinical psychologists, like other psychologists in Ireland, fall under the Psychology Society of Ireland, not the Medical Council. The PSI president Dr. Drumm had already made an official condemnation on Dr. Humphrey’s comments, see last week’s press.

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:40 AM

    My mistake, Dr Humpreys is a clinical psychologist, not psychiatrist. Very little evidence here or online to say he is actually a medical doctor. Apologies to all.

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    Mute Joe Sixtwo
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:02 PM

    Tom I’m not suggesting that Dr. Reilly is responsible for quacks like Humphreys but he can raise the issue and encourage people of the medical profession to speak out against the pseudo-scientists and quacks that are out there.
    Tom how am I blaming the victims of quackery here?

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:15 PM

    Joe,

    Read the first sentence of your very first post. You aren’t exactly showing any empathy or even commenting of the ridiculousness of Dr. Humprey’s comments.

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    Mute Joe Sixtwo
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:51 PM

    Asking to do something about the quacks and charlatans like Humphreys is not showing empathy ?
    Equating Humphreys to quacks and charlatans isn’t exactly complementary is it?
    When this story broke for the time on the journal I gave an opinion on this person and other bullshit merchants like him. The point that I was trying to make (which I made badly in the one liner forgive me) is that this government seem to be trying to regulate everything but the seem to let dangerous bullshit merchants like Humphreys get away with abusing their profession. In this country the political,medical, banking and clerical(religious) profession were untouchable, time to ruffel a few feathers don’t you think?

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 4:40 PM

    Yes Joe. When you describe someone who is a victim of suck quackery as having a “fat arse”, that doesn’t make you seem like the nicest guy in the world.

    What in God’s name has someone’s weight or size got to do with this? I am sure that you look like Christiano Ronaldo.

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    Mute Leon O Haodhagain
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    Feb 14th 2012, 10:49 AM

    So if it’s caused by lack of live and empathy by the parents why aren’t all orphans autistic?

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    Mute Edward White
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:42 AM

    Here in Ireland, we have a long held tradition of putting unstinting faith in the medical profession. If Dr. Humphrey’s stands by his claims well then let’s look at the evidence. You can’t just come out with a comment like that and not have some sample studies to back it up. That would be totally unprofessional if not completely irresponsible given his credentials. If Autism is, as he says, linked to parental neglect, well then that is a very serious allegation for any family to take on board. But before we start lighting fires and going on a witch hunt let’s take a step back for a moment. This theory was surely mentioned long before now and if it is just a notional idea well then it needs to be treated as such. Just because Dr. Humphrey’s has letters after his name does not make him right, it’s just a highly qualified opinion.

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    Mute Sean Armstrong
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:52 AM

    Again, not a doctor in the medical sense, no psychiatrist would spout that crap, different from a psychologist.

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    Mute Fiachra Maolmordha Ó Raghallaigh
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    Feb 14th 2012, 10:38 AM

    Parental love and affection early in life can MITIGATE some of the effects of autism. I repeat, MITIGATE. There’s no evidence whatsoever to show that autism is CAUSED by a lack of parental love.

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    Mute Stephen Doherty
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:14 AM

    Sean, have a look at how psychiatrists view autism in Europe, e.g. France. You’ll find the share Dr. Humphrey’s views and adopt psychodynamic approaches too.

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    Mute Edward White
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:21 AM

    Fiachra, with respect, your statement is completely contradictory. If, as you suggest, Autistic children do respond well to parental love and affection, well then the opposite is true is it not? There is empirical evidence available to show that orphaned children in the likes of Romania suffer brain shrinkage and irreversible damage through physical and emotional neglect. Many features of autism are present but this is little consolation to those who are supportive.

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    Mute Alan Murphy
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:17 AM

    It is insulting and outrageous.

    The same way it is insulting and outrageous that Dr Reilly has cut €13M from the WRH budget and other hospitals around the country.

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    Mute Darren Parslow
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    Feb 14th 2012, 10:35 AM

    Mr Reilly said ” keep fighting and we will support you”, someone should tell Burton, she’s cutting the Domicillary Allowance to 92% of families with Autism. Nice support there guys.

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    Mute Jack Eagle
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:16 PM

    Couldn’t agree anymore Darren.

    ‘Keep fighing and we will support you.’ Contradictory statement considering the HSE and the Dept. of Education has wasted millions of euro fighting families through the courts that simply want a proper education for their autistic children. The HSE’s solution just a few short years ago was to put these children in Psychiatric Institutions which are totally unsuitable for autistic children.

    Out of sight, out of mind!!

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    Mute Jack Eagle
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:03 PM

    @ Joanne Cussen
    Obviously you have no experience of people living with autism. If you did you certainly would not be contemplating ‘maybe there is truth in it’. I’ve seen it first hand with a relative who has a child with autism, whom is now in their teens. The parents of this child could not had/have been more affectionate and loving, for gawd sake would an unaffectionate parent continually stay up with a child all night trying to comfort them to sleep every night for the first six years of that childs life (and that is not an exaggeration)? Would an unloving parent go through the highest courts in this country simply to get this child’s right to an education? Would uncaring parents with the help of other parents in the same situation set up a school for their autistic childern out of their own pocket and have to fight through the courts to bring it into the school system, which they eventually won. God knows how many millions was wasted by the govt fighting these cases, when in the first instance accepting the rights of child those millions could had been directed towards the set up of proper education systems for autistic childern etc..

    Now tell me would unloving and unaffectionate parents go through all that shite and put themselves inline for possible bankruptcy and all for their child?

    If Dr. Humphrey’s is right or speaking the truth, then by his rule every child in that family should suffer autism also. In fact it should be more likely as any subsequent childern to autistic siblings probably suffer some lack of parental attention due to the fact a parent has to devote more time with an autistic child to help them achieve the best they can.

    Now tell me if there is some truth in what Dr. Humprhrey proclaims about parenting and autisim!!!!

    24
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    Mute Sean Higgins
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:24 AM

    People have been moaning to Joe Duffy about this for a week, everyone is entitled to their own opinion no matter how crazy we think it seems……..

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    Mute Fiachra Maolmordha Ó Raghallaigh
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    Feb 14th 2012, 10:35 AM

    The problem is that Tony Humphrey’s is stating his “opinions” as “fact”.

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    Mute Aine
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:43 AM

    “Keep fighting and we will support you.” Really? the government will support us? there are sure making a good job of that so far.

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    Mute Joanne Cussen
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:28 AM

    Its not a crazy persons opinion, its a doctors opinion, maby there is truth in it.

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    Mute Sean Armstrong
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:52 AM

    He is not a medical doctor! Psychology is not a medical field, he is not a doctor as you see it

    48
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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:33 AM

    Sean,

    The term used in the article was “pschiatrist” not “psychologist”. Both terms are protected, but in order to be a psychiatrist, one must qualify as a medical doctor. But either way he is bonkers so I accept that he has no real credibility in this matter.

    Joanne,
    Peer review of such opinion completely dismisses Dr. Humphreys. That is a real test. I know folks with autistic children who are the most loving and nuturing and giving parents around. All parents, myself included, learn to parent as we go along. There can be no real empirical data to support Dr. Humprey’s findings as it would be impossible data to gather due to its subjective nature.

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:41 AM

    Sean,

    My mistake, it reads psychologist, not psychiatrist. He is (presumably) not a medical doctor. Apologies.

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:44 AM

    Sean,

    My mistake. He is a psychologist, not psychiatrist, i.e. not a doctor.

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    Mute Stephen Doherty
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:57 AM

    Tom,

    You’ll find he is indeed a doctor, but of clinical psychology, not of medicine.

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:24 PM

    Yes he is PhD, not an MD, a doctor but not a medical doctor.

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:40 PM

    Stephen,

    I appreciate that I double posted, but I did make it expressly clear that I was referring to the fact that he was not a medical doctor in my first post.

    He has as much authority in this matter as someone with a PhD in French poetry.

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    Mute Stephen Doherty
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:53 PM

    Tom,

    Thanks. I’d like to point out that clinical psychologists are involved just as much as medical professions in assessments and care of those with ASDs. I, personally, don’t agree with Dr. Humprey’s view as the vast majority of scientific research shows contradicts him.

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    Mute Barry Kelly
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    Feb 14th 2012, 9:58 AM

    If love and compassion can help autism then surely neglect can worsen the condition. Every feasible theory should be explored. The minister should not be dismissing the research just because he doesn’t agree. The press only ran this storey to get a reaction and it worked.

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    Mute Ross Bowe
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    Feb 14th 2012, 10:09 AM

    There’s a big difference between what causes a condition and what makes it better/worse

    45
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    Mute Barry Kelly
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:16 PM

    The article refers to the development of autism not the cause of autism. That to me would imply that there would have to be autism there to develop.

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    Mute HelloGoogleTracking!
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    Feb 14th 2012, 2:15 PM

    Clearly it is a emotive issue, and a lot of people are being reactive rather than considering the facts.

    As far as I can tell the argument is that the definition of autism has expanded too broadly, similar to ADHD, and is being diagnosed incorrectly and perhaps too frequently. Maybe I am wrong, but that seems to be the contention?

    If so…….then of course parenting has an influence on children’s development, and perhaps is responsible for some of the very mild, and perhaps too broadly diagnosed autism. Following the logic, the argument is that these children don’t have autism, but rather have a social and emotional withdrawal.

    No-one in their right mind would agree that autism does not exist, however perhaps the definition needs to be clarified.

    Fully blown Autism is what most people think of, I am not aware of how broad the spectrum has expanded to encompass. Can someone tell me?

    So in conclusion, maybe the question should be…. “has autism as a defined condition expanded to include simple social development problems in children. If so, maybe it is the wrong term, and parenting should be looked into to help these children?”

    Possibly an explosive idea, but if it has a chance of helping some children, shouldn’t it be considered maturely and sensibly?

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    Mute Jack Eagle
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    Feb 14th 2012, 3:34 PM

    Yes it is an emotive issue, how can it not be when it is the welfare of our children!

    I think you are barking up the wrong tree here, definition of autism is irrelevant to this discussion. The article never made any reference to a specific form of autism. In any event there are so many varying degrees of autism, some may describe one childs/Adults symtoms as mild while others have extreme autism. Not all autistic are diagnoised with the classic Aspergers Sydrome, some have autistic tendancies mixed with other forms intellectual/physical disability, ie. ADHD or Dyspraxia (spelling??) and the list goes on. It is not like diagnosing cancer or other types of illnesses. This is why parents find it hard to get a diagnosis for Autism because the symtoms vary, parents find themselves going from one consultant to another just to get a specific diagnosis for autism, sometimes this can take years. Which can be frustrating because without a diagnosis the child falls between the cracks and cannot get treatment or even support from the HSE without that diagnosis. Some people’s ignorance is shocking when it comes to autism, they hear the word autism they think Dustin Hoffman in Rainman, this could not be further from the real life circumstances of autism.

    Explosive idea it might be, but stating that parenting skills are adding to the problems of an autistic person is complete bull and such a statement is neither mature nor sensible! Early intervention is the key to helping children with autism, instead of (wrongly) pointing the finger at the parents lack of love and affection, Humphrey’s energy would be better suited in aiding parents to cope with autistic children and getting them into the right programme for the child’s future. It is a fact that children that get early intervention, ie. before the age of 5, respond very well to the ABA education programme with one to one tutoring, most manage to enter into the main education system, thus becoming less dependant on the social welfare system.

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    Mute HelloGoogleTracking!
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    Feb 14th 2012, 5:27 PM

    Thanks Jack,

    Thats a lot more informative, I wasn’t aware of the issues as regards assistance from HSE and obviously in the education system, obviously vital consideration for any parent. I also agree with everything you have said.

    The original article was very offensive and poorly written, open to be interpreted as a direct attack on autism and parents. Really terrible stuff, especially considering the delicate nature of of subject, and the welfare of children.

    Rather than start a debate about the expansion of conditions, and their increase of diagnosis, combined with the watering down of the criteria used, all he achieved was gross offense.

    I am perhaps being very generous in my interpretation of his points or what he meant to raise, I just find it impossible to think that his intention was to label every parent of an autistic child as being directly responsible.
    Instead I assume he meant to ask are all cases actually autism, or is it possible that some cases are due to withdrawn children, and they are being diagnosed incorrectly? this is a question that also applies to ADHD with seems to be a very loss set of criteria, and of more concern as it requires the children being medicated….but I don’t mean to go off point.

    Regardless of the answer to the above, all children should receive the help they require especially in the education system, no question. Also it is beyond question that Autism itself is a condition caused by parents, that is ridiculous, and the resultant outrage is completely justified.

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    Mute Anthony Dunne
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:11 AM

    Respecting the learned Dr Humphreys opinion is also part of this topic, as in life the truth always hurts and people only believe what they want to believe

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    Mute Ross Bowe
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:22 AM

    Opinions with no evidence should not be respected

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    Mute Christopher Lawless
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:35 AM

    “Respecting the learned Dr Humphreys opinion ” whats to respect? he’s a pop psychology columnist for the Examiner proposing a view of autism that people far more educated in the subject have called out as a complete bull.

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:35 AM

    Anthony,

    There has been no peer reviewed study to support Dr. Humphreys’s opinions. So in short, there is no empirical evidence. End of.

    And argument after that is stirring for the sake of it.

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    Mute Colin O'Hara
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:04 PM

    Sorry Anthony, but what can be asserted without evidence, can also be dismissed without evidence, irregardless of who says it.

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Feb 14th 2012, 12:35 PM

    Colin,

    That is the most sensible comment ever on thejournal.ie

    Regards

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    Mute Joe Sixtwo
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    Feb 14th 2012, 1:19 PM

    Also a fan of “Hitch” Colin ?

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    Mute Colin O'Hara
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    Feb 14th 2012, 5:16 PM

    Big fan Joe!

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    Mute Cupids Daughter
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    Feb 14th 2012, 10:40 AM

    The difference between cause and effect is only as big as our society and medical professionals wish to make out.

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    Mute Ross Bowe
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    Feb 14th 2012, 11:07 AM

    Oh you seem to have a better grasp of it than everybody else, please do elucidate

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    Mute Adam Magari
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    Feb 14th 2012, 2:44 PM

    Did Humphreys have a follow up article last Friday 10th or an apology? I don’t like ‘blame’ myself. Always found it impossible to recover a situation when ‘blame’ entered the scene. Did the Examiner remove the original article?

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