011 Ground Rules

"So let us begin anew-remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1/20/61

My purpose in writing this blog is to present a data-based discussion of autistic spectrum disorder, and to create an on-line forum within which readers can engage in a thoughtful exchange of ideas. In order for an exchange of ideas to take place, we need to have an environment where everyone feels safe to speak up.

Although many of the Replies posted thus far have been constructive, there have also been several that have included personal attacks - on me, or on other posters. In my career I have had to give many parents bad news. Compared to that, attacks on me within this forum don't amount to much. But not everyone is as thick-skinned as I am. If even one reader is reluctant to speak up because he or she is afraid of getting flamed by another reader, then the entire discussion has been diminished.

This brings us to:

Rule #1: Be polite.

Posts containing sarcasm or attacks on other persons will not be tolerated. You can be critical of other people's ideas all you want; but when you start calling someone else names, you have crossed a line. As I said above, I have a thick skin, and nothing in print here can really hurt me. But this blog isn't just about me. It's about providing a forum. So, I have to be the usher at the movie theater. What this means is that I will be using the Delete key, to de-list offensive posts.

(For the reader who asked about my years of service: I declared my specialty interest in pediatrics as a medical student, and completed my first pediatric clerkship in 1971. As for the medical ads that appear in the sidebar to my blog: I have nothing to do with those. They are strictly between Psychology Today and the advertisers. I don't make any money from them, I don't choose them, and I can't eliminate them. I deleted the post from that reader because it was sarcastic and offensive, not because the questions he or she posed were difficult. Ask me anything you want; just stay civil, and keep it relevant to the blog.)

Rule #2: Stay on the topic.

I will be very watchful of people who try to hijack this blog as a soapbox for their own ends. This is not an "open microphone" for anyone to say whatever they want, just because they have a built-in audience.

Replies need to stay within the parameters of a particular thread. Be patient! We will get more threads going over the next few months (etiology, developmental therapies, psychopharm, behavior management, family function, long-term planning, etc.). Hang onto your comments until the appropriate thread has been started.

Rule #3: Stick to the facts - or label your opinions as such

In the few weeks this blog has been running, we have seen several themes emerge in Replies. One prominent theme can be summarized this way: "It happened to me, so it must be true." If you have speculations to offer, that's fine ("Based on what happened to me, my opinion is...."), but recognize your personal opinions for what they are, and label them as such. And don't clobber someone else, just because he or she may have a different opinion (see Rule #1).

Rule #4: Use a screen name

In order for me and other readers of this blog to be able to keep track of who is who, please use a screen name. It doesnt have to be your real name, but it does need to be something unique, so your comments can be followed by others. I reserve the right do de-list further posts signed "anonymous."

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Some readers may take these ground rules as a reason to drop out, and/or as "proof" of my own bias. There's not a lot I can do about that. However, I believe that the remaining readers will be happier, knowing that they have some protection from being ridiculed, and knowing that the time they spend reading my posts and the replies from other readers will be time well-spent.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.