An Open Letter to USA Today Editors From NCSA

Update: USA Today has revised their story in response to efforts by NCSAutism

Open letter from NCSA to USA TODAY editors:

We write with deep concern regarding USA Today’s portrayal of autism in the recent article “Trump said autism diagnoses are on the rise, and that's true. But there's more you need to know.”

The piece appears intended to provide readers with more information on the disorder after President Trump mentioned rising autism cases in his recent speech to Congress.

Instead, the article trivializes a serious condition by ignoring the countless Americans with severe autism and presenting a description of autism as like an “ice cream sundae bar” without any counterbalancing voices or viewpoints.

The article makes no mention of the pervasive communication impairments, behaviors such as self-injury, seizures, catatonia, sleep disturbances and other conditions that often come with severe autism.

It neglects to note that more than 25 percent of individuals with autism face its most severe effects and typically need lifelong 24/7 support.

People with severe autism need options for safe and appropriate housing. Our community needs access to caregiving and medical/dental care that is tailored to this population. We urgently need research that will reduce suffering and lead to better lives. As it stands, many families struggle to meet round-the-clock care needs.

The autism community is a place of diverse perspectives — no one can speak for all people with autism.

Articles like this do a disservice both to our community and your readership. We urge you to either retract or revise the piece.

More broadly, the exclusion of individuals with severe autism from media coverage needs to end. We call on USA Today to reach out to new sources and do its own reporting to provide your readers with a fuller, more complete picture of autism.

Sincerely,

National Council on Severe Autism