thank you for this.

I honestly don't care what the cause of autism is. I've never heard another autistic person express concern about what the cause of autism might be either. What's important, when you come down to it, isn't whether parents or medical professionals or businesspeople or politicians want "treatments" for autism. All of their opinions are irrelevant. What's important is whether autistic people want these "treatments". I've never heard an autistic person express a serious desire to not be autistic, nor have I heard *of* such an event. If you can provide evidence that autistic people who wish to be "treated" actually exist then I'll consider your mission valid, if somewhat dangerous for the rest of us in the long term.

The commenters here seem to be under the impression that (despite being autistic) Ne'eman has some inexplicable desire to ruin the lives of autistic people (or should I say "children"?) and their families. Maybe before dismissing him as some sort of cartoon villain, you should stop to think about *why* so many autistic people are so vehemently opposed to any attempt to "cure" autism, and for that matter why you so rarely if ever hear any autistic person speak out in favour of the cure movement.

Ms. Johnson,
Thank you for responding and letting us know you were unaware that ARI promoted Ari Ne'eman's research advisory committee. You have been a tremendous voice for our cause, but with all due respect, your explanation is woefully inadequate and I implore you to examine the facts and reconsider.

Ari Ne'eman is an "influential critic" alright. However, him teaching people to evaluate research proposals could only mean one thing if the research proposal involves a study of the vaccine/autism link or a study of hyperbaric oxygen therapy or chelation therapy to treat autism. The proposal is dead, at least in his committee.

Ne'eman doesn't acknowledge an environmental trigger for autism and in fact has stated that he considers being autistic akin to being Black (which is pseudoscience). What person would approve research proposals to determine why some people are born Black and how one can recover from being Black? How can you and Dr. Edelman honestly believe Ne'eman's pseudoscientific views would allow him to approve ANY of the research we so urgently seek in a favorable light?

Furthermore, although I don't recall the exact words, his ad essentially said people who apply must subscribe to his views. Where is the diversity in that? It's another obvious propaganda program to "train" people to think like him and work directly against our efforts and the recovery of our children.

Let's not forget he has said autistic people, not parents, should be speaking for our kids. His wish seems to be coming true. We are not allowed on his research advisory committee unless we're autistic and we think like him.

I very seriously doubt if the qualifications to be a member of his advisory team involve a medical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. There is no evidence of such a diagnosis being required to participate in any of his efforts. This means "self-diagnosed" people will be among those deciding about research for our children while we are not allowed to be on this research advisory team. Self diagnoses are not always accurate as anyone involved in the medical field should know. A person with social anxiety, for example, but not ASD - but who thinks he has ASD could probably serve on this committee and be empowered to affect autism policy.

Where is the research advisory group for people who want to prevent autism and recover themselves or their children from autism? You should be advocating for such a group - and fighting against the very group you're now aiding. We already have almost no representation on the IACC. But Ne'eman has 3 or 4 like-minded members on that committee.

How easily you ignore the fact that Ne'eman advocated against the wandering code, as well as the rest of his abysmal track record for people who seek recovery, treatment, cure and prevention. It's hard to believe you defended biomed to Trine Tsouderos or wrote this impassioned piece: http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/08/report-from-the.html

Many would vehemently disagree with you and Dr. Edelman that Dr. Rimland would support Ne'eman's initiative "in the interest of moving things forward." (What things? Forward for whom?) Ours is a well-networked community, and ARI will lose its base if it continues to promote this type of "advocacy." And that would be tragic, considering all that ARI has done for so many families.

Please withdraw efforts to aid Ne'eman's cause that run directly counter to your goals and ours.

Everyone can understand and forgive a mistake.

I don't know if its just me, but ARI does not look like it did when Bernard was alive.
Sure miss him, all that he stood for, and all he fought for....

Articles found on Ari Ne'eman
http://autism.about.com/b/2009/12/17/ari-neeman-neurodiversity-champion-named-to-obamas-council-on-disability.htm

http://www.asparenting.com/2010/03/28/ari-neeman-placed-on-hold/

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/blogs/the-human-condition/2010/03/29/ari-ne-eman-and-the-controversy-over-an-autism-cure.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91054523