Bernard Rimland

Bernard Rimland
Born(1928-11-15)November 15, 1928
DiedNovember 21, 2006(2006-11-21) (aged 78)
Alma materSan Diego State University (Bachelor's)
Pennsylvania State University (PhD)
Known forAutism: researched causes, epidemic, the thiomersal theory, and biomedical treatment.
Scientific career
FieldsPsychology
InstitutionsAutism Research Institute
Autism Society of America
Defeat Autism Now!

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.[1] 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.

  1. ^ Carey, Benedict (November 28, 2006). "Bernard Rimland, 78, Scientist Who Revised View of Autism, Dies". New York Times. Retrieved 15 May 2014.