text_1: Tracking the risks and rewards of transcranial magnetic stimulation
text_2: This is a story about John Elder Robison, and his book “Switched On: A Memoir of Brain Change and Emotional Awakening.” In the book, Robison discusses his experience as a person with Asperger syndrome undergoing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as part of a research study. The story includes quotes from him and a doctor on the TMS research team. This story is lacking because of its reliance on the anecdotal experience of one person. There’s no data. No broader perspective. No independent voices. No pushback at all on the statements and claims made. While we understand that this story is supposed to be a profile of one person’s experience, that doesn’t absolve it of responsibility to evaluate whether the claims are likely to be true or broadly representative of what others can expect. The need for treatments that can help people with autism is clear–effective, proven therapies are lacking. As such, this story offers hope to those with autism spectrum disorder and their families. But in doing so, it runs the risk that the hope isn’t really backed up by evidence. Though Robison believes the treatments have helped him, it is very difficult to assess whether TMS is responsible.