I was just watching this online. I'm not a huge fan of Doug Wilson's work. Not everything he says is complete rubbish, but there's a lot I don't agree with.
As someone who has worked as part of a team involved in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD and other developmental disorders, I do have some concerns that he seems to be suggesting that some children and parents (particularly those with milder forms of these conditions) may in fact be attention seekers.
I've been around long enough to see that in at least some of these cases, parenting and behaviour management strategies may not be the most ideal. And there are some professionals who may err on the side of over-diagnosis. Often under pressure from schools and other educational settings who are desperately chasing funding to support children who are having difficulties managing in these places.
But there are many children who DO have these conditions. And in some, although not all, cases, medication may be of assistance (to be fair, he does point this out during the video...).
To suggest that these parents are looking for attention and copycat diagnoses is not helpful. To be honest, I think he needs to learn a bit more about Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD before he says this sort of thing.
4 comments:
This annoys me. Why does a theologian have to broadcast his opinion on things completely out of his area of expertise?
I'm not sure I want to watch it. As someone with a child with a borderline diagnosis...and a parenting experience that can still bring me to tears to talk about...I don't want criticism.
I wouldn't worry about watching it, Wendy. As Simone says...he has no medical background that I am aware of and should stick to what he does know. He is quite heavily promoted in our church, however, so his opinions (and by extension, his wife's opinions also) are put out there on a regular basis for us to hear. I do question a lot of what they both say....
Is this guy the Ezzo of the next generation? What an utter load of rubbish. I couldn't watch all of it. I don't think a bit of compassion would go astray. He needs some prayer. I read 'Reforming Marriage' and liked it, but he writes for Tabletalk, which I am using as a Bible reading tool, and I don't like what he writes in there.
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