The thing with Carolyn Fuentes’ resume is that, depending on which resume you are looking at that she has posted on the Internet, some things are included in one place while they are excluded in others. On Carolyn Fuentes’ resume for Orange Community Education & Recreation Pepper Pike Learning Center — where she provides 4 hours of private computer training in a client’s home or office for $179 (the fee is $159 if you’re a resident) — Carolyn Fuentes has added to her resume:
“Prior to teaching computers, Fuentes says, “she comes from a “jack-of-all-trades” family.” She has managed non-profit organizations, private sectors, and corporate businesses. Her work includes various positions such as a project document control manager, office manager, bookkeeper, desktop publisher, owned and operated a home-based partnership publishing business, transcription, and assisted in a home-based partnership music studio.”
While that all sounds impressive, considering that she is an AWN Advisory Board Member, it is not unreasonable to expect Ms. Fuentes to divulge which non-profit organizations she managed. If the non-profit organizations thrived under Ms. Fuentes’ management, one would think she would be more than happy to identify those non-profit organizations and the years she was responsible for successfully managing them.
But then, on her Blog Talk Radio page, Carolyn Fuentes’ resume is slightly different, stating that:
“Prior to teaching computers, Dr. Fuentes was a manager for non-profit and corporate businesses. She was once a project document control manager, manager of an educational facility for non-profit, bookkeeper for non-profit and private sectors for many years, desktop publishing tutor for non-profit, co-owner and operated a secretarial and desktop publishing business, private transcription business, and co-owner and operated a music studio.”
So the fact of the matter is that while her Orange Community Education & Recreation resume — which she paraphrases on her YouTube channel in the About Me section — implies that she managed non-profit organizations in a leadership role (i.e. Executive Director), it seems that her Blog Talk Radio resume implies she worked as a manager for non-profit organizations. Still, that’s quite a few jobs in a 20 year period and so it’s easy to see Ms. Fuentes why would claim in her Orange Community Education & Recreation resume she comes from a “jack-of-all-trades” family.
This post is not meant to be a continuation of yesterday’s perusal of contradictions in Ms. Fuentes’ CV, however, it is worthwhile to note that the contradictions themselves serve to offer an explanation about Carolyn Fuentes’ knowledge and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders, which can also be questioned as we shall see.
It’s a fact that Carolyn Fuentes trumpets what Skyhorse Publishing has written about her book AUTISM:
“Carolyn Fuentes’s book on autism is a useful, relevant compilation of the latest autism research as well as a helpful guide for those looking for an introduction to the causes, signs, treatments, and general background of autism.”
Skyhorse Publishing is a publishing house out of New York City. They publish a number of different books, however when it comes to Autism, the authors of choice for Skyhorse Publishing include Age of Autism’s Kim Stagliano, discredited former medical practitioner Andrew Wakefield, Ken Siri and Tony Lyons. Many who are part of the Autism community recognize these authors’ names because they are strong supporters of treatments that are not approved for Autism by any government body in many countries: chelation, vision therapy, sound therapies, IVIg infusions, special diets for autism, and more.
In reading sections of Carolyn Fuentes’ book AUTISM, it is easy to understand why Skyhorse Publishing speaks glowingly of Ms. Fuentes’ book. In fact, I would like to discuss some of the chapters in Carolyn Fuentes’ book based on the summaries of each chapter that are made available at Carolyn Fuentes’ Blog Talk Radio channel.
The summary for Chapter 2 states: “Dr. Leo Kanner, in 1943, released a report of eleven children who were highly interested in unusual aspects of the lifeless environment. The discovery was called the Kranner’s [sic] syndrome.”
I am not saying that this information is incorrect. I am curious, however, as to why Carolyn Fuentes did not mention Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler who first introduced the term “autism” in 1911.
Bleuler’s term was used to describe autism as an extreme withdrawal of oneself from the fabric of social life, but not excluding oneself. Bleuler also coined the phrases “autism disturbances of effect” (emotion) and “autism disturbances of association” (thought disorders) a generation before Leo Kanner’s use of the phrase “autistic disturbances of affective contact.” Surely including information on Eugen Bleuler would have been an important inclusion in Carolyn Fuentes’ book.
Keep in mind that children, youth and adults were being diagnosed with Kanner’s Autism at a time when vaccines did not exist.
I am also curious as to why Carolyn Fuentes excluded Hans Asperger from her book on Autism. After all, in 1944, Leo Kanner‘s “autistic disturbances” and Hans Asperger‘s “autistic psychopathy” became known in medical fields as syndromes. This information is important, especially regarding Hans Asperger, as a number of people in America are of the misinformed opinion that Asperger Syndrome is not a form of Autism and it only appeared in 1994 when it was included in the American DSM-IV. Clarification on this issue would be of great assistance to people trying to learn more about autism. Yet Ms. Fuentes ignored addressing this issue.
I would also ask that readers keep in mind that Leo Kanner‘s 1943 study observed children who had withdrawal from human contact as early as age 1 at a time when childhood vaccines did not exist.
The summary for Chapter 4 talks about Dr. Cannon and states that “sulfur [sic] is known to treat many disorders that tie into autism.” However, Chapter 4 does not address sulfur [sic] or its implication in the “many disorders that tie into autism.” In fact, the “many disorders” aren’t even identified.
The summary for Chapter 6 indicates that Autism usually begins before the age of three and is a lifelong disability. The fact of the matter is that 137 medical researchers and scientists in 50 medical and research centres in 9 countries studying 1,600 families with at least one child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder proved that Autism is genetic. This means that children who are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are autistic from birth. That the degree of severity is identified as the child grows older does not mean that the child begins to be autistic at the age he or she first exhibits symptoms.
Think of it in terms of eye colour. All babies are born with blue eyes. The amount of melanin in the irises determines the final colour of a baby’s eyes. From most amount of melanin to least amount of melanin, the colour spectrum for eyes is described as: black, brown, amber, hazel, green, blue and grey. The melanin – which will determine one’s eye colour — is coded in the genes, just as Autism is coded in the genes. But Dr. Fuentes does not offer any counter-argument to provide scholarly balance to her viewpoint in order to fully inform the reader of opposing views.
The summary for Chapter 9 lends credence to an hypothesis that “anti-yeast” therapy helps in Autism. Additionally, Ms. Fuentes claims that “as antibiotic usage grows, the rate of autism grows as well. This disorder is of the antiobiotic era.” There is currently no empirical support for theories that implicate yeast and/or yeast infections as a cause of Autism. The evidence invoked in support of these claims involves uncontrolled case studies and anecdotal reports. The discovery of penicillin, the first antibiotic, was by Alexander Fleming in 1928, fully seventeen years after Eugen Bleuler’s use of the term autism in 1911. Thus if one accepts Bleuler’s use of the word “autism” as the start of the diagnosis of autism, autism predates antibiotics by 17 years. But Dr. Fuentes does not offer any counter-argument to provide scholarly balance to this viewpoint in order to fully inform the reader of opposing views.
The summary for Chapters 10 and 11 states that a mercury-based preservative in vaccines is responsible for a dramatic increase in Autism and many other disorders among children. This has been disproven in numerous studies by reputable and recognized medical researchers and scientists the world over. Andrew Wakefield who originally made this claim in the mid-90s has been sanctioned for his unethical practices, his flawed research, et al. In fact, the blog entry on Andrew Wakefield’s discredited study can be read by clicking HERE. But Dr. Fuentes does not offer any counter-argument to provide scholarly balance to this viewpoint in order to fully inform the reader of opposing views.
[As a parenthetical: The assertion that vaccines cause autism is one that is generally not accepted by the Autism Women's Network, and so one wonders why Dr. Fuentes is accepted as a board member.]
The summary for Chapter 12 states that free glutamic acid plays a role in the rise of Autism. A segment of the population, believing that free glutamic acid causes Autism, have determined that if items such as cheese which contain casein are removed from the diet of an individual with Autism, that person will recover from Autism to some degree. This is the theory behind the Gluten-Free Casein-Free (GFCF) Diet.
While a gluten-free casein-free diet may address a co-morbidity, countless studies by reputable and respected medical researchers and scientists have confirmed that such diets do not affect Autism. But Dr. Fuentes does not offer any counter-argument to provide scholarly balance to this viewpoint in order to fully inform the reader of opposing views.
The summary for Chapter 13 states that Dr. Carley learned how to reverse the damage with homeopathy and other natural supplements, and subsequently realized that inoculations of disease are causing the corruption in the immune system which leads to all autoimmune diseases and cancer. Actually, Dr. Carley states that she has “successfully reversed ALL autoimmune diseases (including autism) and cancer in over 2,000 clients (including pets) over the past 9 years” but these significant details are reported incorrectly in Dr. Fuentes’ publication.
To summarize for clarity: Dr. Carley claims she can cure cancer AND she can cure Autism AND she can cure ALL autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Carley has also “developed a course through the “Hippocrates Academy” where interested students can learn and be certified how to do the Hippocrates Protocol developed by Dr. Carley, which “reverses ALL autoimmune diseases and cancer in people and in pets using natural therapies.” If Dr. Carley has indeed found a protocol that reverses ALL autoimmune diseases, individuals and families dealing with anaphylactic-level allergies (allergies being an autoimmune disease) or Myasthenia Gravis (also an autoimmune disease) or any other number of autoimmune diseases would be heralded the world over as the saviour of children. But Dr. Carley is not heralded in this way. One can only wonder why that might be.
To better understand the immune system and how it works, this video — beginning at the 3 minute 33 second mark — gives an easy-to-follow correct explanation of the immune system and the cells involved in building a healthy immune system. But Dr. Fuentes does not offer this video, or any other counter-argument to provide scholarly balance to this viewpoint in order to fully inform the reader of opposing views.
The summary for Chapter 17 begins with a bold statement: “Amongst many famous people with autism was once Hans Albert Einstein.” The current claim by many that Albert Einstein had Autism is not based on an actual diagnosis but rather on piecing together anecdotal stories with actual intellectual achievements. The only individuals who can be identified as having an Autism Spectrum Disorder are those who have been conclusively diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder by a licensed and accredited medical practitioner. When referencing historical figures who may have had an Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is imperative to state that it is thought or believed that an historical figure may have had an Autism Spectrum Disorder. But Dr. Fuentes does not make this important distinction.
The summary for Chapter 22 states reads as: “Rachel Evans, bionetics [sic], and Jean Genet, Myths of Autism have written many materials related to autism in 2006. They have stated that autism increased by 172% during 1990s and is associated with 75-80% of individuals with retardation.”
But who are Rachel Evans and Jean Genet?
Jean Genet tells visitors to his website that he “might just be the most important person you will speak to concerning your child’s autism. Why? Because I grew up autistic, conquered it and funded the research to define how I did it.” He claims that he and his therapy can end a child’s “experience with Autism.” He goes on to claim that his program, Byonetics, is endorsed by medical practitioners but he does not provide the names of those medical practitioners who allegedly endorse his program.
There is no way to confirm his claim that his program is endorsed by medical practitioners and there is no way to identify the sort of medical practitioners to whom he is referring. Dr. Fuentes does not investigate the veracity of Genet‘s statements, but appears to blindly accept them as being true.
Are the people in Genet‘s program naturopathic doctors? Are they registered nurses? Are they chiropractors? Are they some other recognized profession that qualifies as a medical practitioner?
Where can the studies by respected and reputable medical researchers and scientists which confirm their assertions, research, and study results be found? Is their research peer-reviewed? Are the studies double-blind? Is the program approved by the proper governing bodies in the various states and/or countries in which he is marketing and selling his program? Dr. Fuentes does not inform us, but appears to expect us to take the studies as scientifically proven, peer-reviewed fact.
And Rachel Evans? What can be said about a woman who describes the “Five Autism Types” as being Asperger’s Syndrome, Kanner’s Syndrome (Classic Autistic Disorder), Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified, Rett’s Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder?
And why doesn’t Carolyn Fuentes correct the misinformation from Ms. Evans rather than continue to promote it without correction?
In a press release from 2007, Ms. Evans states that she was “embarassed [sic] at her lack of knowledge about [Autism]” and to learn more, she “turned to the experts, who helped her to understand what is known about autism, as well as the support and treatment options available to families dealing with Autism.”
Should Ms. Evans be embarrassed by her ongoing lack of knowledge about Autism? What Ms. Evans meant to describe were the “Five Pervasive Developmental Disorders” which are comprised of Asperger’s Syndrome, Classic Autism (Kanner’s Syndrome), Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified, Rett Syndrome [no apostrophe-s as Rachel Evans and Dr. Fuentes erroneously spell the word], and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
And so, one can only wonder just how much research has Carolyn Fuentes done on the subject of Autism Spectrum Disorders. What’s more, how can she expect to be taken seriously as a (freelance) medical researcher on the subject of Autism? (NOTE: Click on image to open in a separate window.)
Carolyn Fuentes, Freelance Medical Researcher
As we have seen from Dr. Fuentes’ resume, she is a busy woman, having gotten so many degrees, and having gotten so many awards and certificates, and having worked so many jobs in so many places. And so it is reasonable to believe that between all this activity, and a small claims court case for tax delinquency that took years to resolve, that maybe that Dr. Fuentes did not have time the time to devote to fact checking her “relevant compilation of the latest autism research as well as a helpful guide for those looking for an introduction to the causes, signs, treatments, and general background of autism.”
Still, despite this possible lack of time in her past, one thing can be said for certain: Ms. Fuentes certainly has plenty of time to write articles for the Autism Women’s Network on the issue of cyberbullying and to add additional information on cyberbullying on her website “Cops Focus” (as has been shown in previous blog entries) but she just cannot seem to free up enough time to respond to an e-mail with two words in it … the first and last names of the AWN Advisory Board Chair.
Elyse Bruce
Creator and Founder
MIDNIGHT IN CHICAGO
