Countering the False Promise of Pseudoscience in Schools

An internet video shows a nonverbal teen named Dillan with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) delivering an inspirational speech using an Apple iPad to convert his text to spoken words (bit.ly/ applerpm). In addition to promoting healthy skepticism, take time to help parents-and remind school staff-to learn to recognize warning signs distinguishing science from pseudoscience. Doing so will help school administrators and parents embrace this body of scientific evidence and learn to avoid pseudoscientific claims. ® Patrick Finn, PhD, CCC-SLP, is professor of communication sciences and special education at the University of Georgia, and editor-in-chief of Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. ?pfinn@uga.edu [? Find sources for this article at leader.pubs.asha.org.