On Fri, 3 Nov 2000, Philippe Gervaix wrote:
> Hi Tipsters overseas, There was a program the other night on
> french TV about the "human achievement potential" method,
> introduced by Doman. Are any of you familiar with this
> program? Has it been validated at all? Any research on the
> effect of crowling to get a right brain/left brain balance?
> How widespread is it in the States? Is there a controversy
> going on? They showed training sessions at the Institute, and
> I must say I was quite horrified. Phil PS. Who will deliver
> us from gurus?
Hi Philippe:
You're right to be horrified. This is a dreadful programme, and
I've been outraged by it for many years (that's a long time to be
outraged). Just the other day, I cited it in a letter to a former
student who is considering a different kind of quack therapy.
Here's what I said, responding to her comment that the quack's
clinic appeared to be very busy:
As with credentials, this is not necessarily proof of a valid
therapy. There are many quack therapists with devoted followers
who believe absolutely in the value of the worthless therapy they
receive. An instructive example is patterning (Doman-Delacato)
treatment for brain-injured, retarded, and autistic children. It
is an extraordinarily expensive and time-consuming treatment to
carry out, has no demonstrated value, and has been repeatedly
denounced by professional organizations such as the American
Academy of Pediatrics. Yet it remains popular with desperate
parents. This is understandable, because most parents are unable
tell a scientifically-valid treatment from a worthless one.
The AAP's earlier statement in 1982 is at
http://www.aap.org/policy/155.html
As, despite this, the program continues to draw parents (17 years
later!), a further warning was issued in 1999 at:
http://www.aap.org/policy/re9919.html
Both statements about patterning therapy are well worth reading
for the kinds of concerns that should be raised about
any unorthodox treatment for which special claims are made.
-Stephen
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
Check out TIPS listserv for teachers of psychology at:
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips/
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