Research and Caveats

There are always caveats when it comes to medical research. New research published in WebMD suggests that word games may predict gains for kids with autism.  Study co-author Geraldine Dawson says,

"Essentially, children who showed a different brain response from the left hemisphere to a known versus unknown word made better progress by age 6," Dawson said. "This measure may help us identify early on which children could benefit from extra help, such as an alternative communication device, so that they can have the best possible long-term outcome."

Dawson is the chief science officer for Autism Speaks.

The study's lead author, Patricia Kuhl, of the University of Washington in Seattle, said in a university news release: "We think this measure signals that the 2-year-old's brain has reorganized itself to process words.

There's a caveat: 

"The authors describe their findings as having only 'theoretical implications' at this time," said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, in New Hyde Park. "Although this study may be of some interest to parents and clinicians who care for children with an autism spectrum disorder, there is no clinical justification for parents to pursue any specialized [brain] testing at this time," he said.

Caveats are important and should have a place of prominence in reporting. Recall the research link between childhood vaccines and autism. The research was faulty. Medical officials in Great Britain are reporting increases in cases of the Measles about a decade after the link was implied. ABC News is reporting a large increase more than a decade after false research caused parent to refuse a vaccine that would have prevented the disease.

The caveat in this article well placed well below the fold. So many parents with children on the spectrum are looking for hope. We need to make sure the balance of the reporting goes beyond. It can be a matter of placement.