When Autism Hope Outruns Evidence By Arthur Allen June 8, 2026 Kff Health News Share Summary Takeaways Insight Report Quiz Poll Top Institutions Top Thought Leaders Topic Commentary 1 Elizabeth Bonker advocates for government reimbursement for training in assisted spelling for individuals with autism. 2 Leading professional organizations dispute the efficacy of assisted spelling, citing research that questions its validity. 3 The autism community is divided, with some parents attributing autism to vaccines while others seek evidence-based treatments. 4 Critics argue that assisted spelling may not represent autonomous communication, as the board holder could influence the output. 5 Many parents explore various unproven treatments for autism, often without clear evidence of their effectiveness.