Bernard Rimland
Bernard Rimland (November 15, 1928 – November 21, 2006) was an American research
psychologist, writer, lecturer, and influential person in the field of
developmental disorders. Rimland's first book, ''Infantile Autism'', sparked by the birth of a son who had autism, was instrumental in changing attitudes toward the disorder. Rimland founded and directed two advocacy groups: the
Autism Society of America (ASA) and the
Autism Research Institute. He promoted several since disproven theories about the causes and treatment of autism, including
vaccine denial,
facilitated communication,
chelation therapy, and false claims of a link between
secretin and autism. He also supported the ethically controversial practice of using
aversives on autistic children.
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