1. Developmental Disabilities and the Paranormal John w. Jacobson James A. Developmental Disabilities and the Paranormal John w. Jacobson James A. Mulick Matt Colligan Caldwell College

2. Introduction What is “paranormal?” What is “paranormal?” Belief in an undetected and unmeasured field of energy within the human body Belief in an undetected and unmeasured field of energy within the human body Red flags Red flags Claim that several or many talents exist among humans Claim that several or many talents exist among humans Based on “pure faith” Based on “pure faith” Telepathy-knowledge of another’s thoughts Telepathy-knowledge of another’s thoughts Clairvoyance-vizualizations of objects of events not within physical view Clairvoyance-vizualizations of objects of events not within physical view Psychokinesis-ability to move objects through exertion of will and without physical intervention Psychokinesis-ability to move objects through exertion of will and without physical intervention

3. Who’s Believing? More than 90% of Americans believe in one or more supernatural or paranormal phenomena (Gallup & Newport, 1990; Markovsky and Thye, 2001) More than 90% of Americans believe in one or more supernatural or paranormal phenomena (Gallup & Newport, 1990; Markovsky and Thye, 2001) Women are more likely to report telepathic experiences than men (MacDonald, 1995) Women are more likely to report telepathic experiences than men (MacDonald, 1995)

4. Faith in Conventional Religions and Disability Many parents of children with disabilities find solace, hope, and comfort in religions Many parents of children with disabilities find solace, hope, and comfort in religions Religious perspectives Religious perspectives “The role of the parent becomes eternally essential for these children, who often suffer tremendous damage to their self-esteem. For them, it can be hard to remember that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them and that their disabilities are a gift, not a punishment” (Bittner, 2002, p. 1) “The role of the parent becomes eternally essential for these children, who often suffer tremendous damage to their self-esteem. For them, it can be hard to remember that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them and that their disabilities are a gift, not a punishment” (Bittner, 2002, p. 1)

5. Faith in Conventional Religions and Disability “To Freddy being mentally retarded is not a disability. It may even be a BLESSING. I now see it as a gift from God and as the reason he is able to have such a positive effect on his environment and those who know him.” (Slinn, 2002, p. 1) “To Freddy being mentally retarded is not a disability. It may even be a BLESSING. I now see it as a gift from God and as the reason he is able to have such a positive effect on his environment and those who know him.” (Slinn, 2002, p. 1) Underlying implications Underlying implications Hesitation in seeking effective treatments Mental and emotional trauma

6. Immediate Concerns Belief may prove to be resistant to direct experiences of failure Belief may prove to be resistant to direct experiences of failure Why is this dangerous??? Why is this dangerous??? Matter of “pure faith,” rather than objective research Matter of “pure faith,” rather than objective research Minimal scientific support Minimal scientific support

7. Science or the Paranormal? Substantial benefits from effective scientific treatments are reported as seemingly miraculous cures Substantial benefits from effective scientific treatments are reported as seemingly miraculous cures Internet Internet Sensationalized media outlets Sensationalized media outlets

8. What are the Claims? In 1993, a series of messages were posted on the usenet group bit.listserv.autism In 1993, a series of messages were posted on the usenet group bit.listserv.autism “Believing that telepathy comes from God isn’t new either. I think so-but you don’t have to think anything at all about God to believe in telepathy. The link between autistic children and their parents …is extraordinary, we all know that. So I have no trouble believing in telepathic aspect of autism” “Believing that telepathy comes from God isn’t new either. I think so-but you don’t have to think anything at all about God to believe in telepathy. The link between autistic children and their parents …is extraordinary, we all know that. So I have no trouble believing in telepathic aspect of autism”

9. What are the Claims? In 1996, a series of messages were posted via the usenet groups alt.paranormal and bit.listsev.tbi-support In 1996, a series of messages were posted via the usenet groups alt.paranormal and bit.listsev.tbi-support Suggested that traumatic brain injury “frees up” or releases paranormal powers Suggested that traumatic brain injury “frees up” or releases paranormal powers Another discussion suggested that the use of astrology was a basis for predicting, prenatally, that a child would have autism or mental retardation Another discussion suggested that the use of astrology was a basis for predicting, prenatally, that a child would have autism or mental retardation

10. Why Do People Believe? Barnum Effect-involves acceptance of “bogus” personality feedback consisting of trivial statements that could be descriptive of almost anyone (Tobacyk, Miford, Springer, and Tobacyk (1988) Barnum Effect-involves acceptance of “bogus” personality feedback consisting of trivial statements that could be descriptive of almost anyone (Tobacyk, Miford, Springer, and Tobacyk (1988) As long as people tend to be credulous believers, they can have their tendency to follow instructions just by hearing that they will receive the specified treatment (De Groot, Gwynn, and Spanos, 1988) As long as people tend to be credulous believers, they can have their tendency to follow instructions just by hearing that they will receive the specified treatment (De Groot, Gwynn, and Spanos, 1988)

11. Why Do People Believe? Believers tend to underestimate the likelihood of (unexpected) events and misinterpret them as paranormal, selectively forget or make errors in recalling probabilities…and feel that they can control what are essentially chance occurrences (Blackmore & Troscianko, 1985) Believers tend to underestimate the likelihood of (unexpected) events and misinterpret them as paranormal, selectively forget or make errors in recalling probabilities…and feel that they can control what are essentially chance occurrences (Blackmore & Troscianko, 1985) That’s why we collect data!!!

12. Why Do People Believe? “culturally typical” (Roe, 1999) “culturally typical” (Roe, 1999) Largely influenced by small social groups that do not present the claim as paranormal in nature Largely influenced by small social groups that do not present the claim as paranormal in nature More believable when claims are supported by an individual of higher professional status More believable when claims are supported by an individual of higher professional status General tendency to believe General tendency to believe

13. Savant Syndrome The presence of remarkable, usually very specific skills among people with intellectual disability The presence of remarkable, usually very specific skills among people with intellectual disability “People get better at what they practice. Especially at what they practice to the exclusion of alternatives” (O’Connor and Hermelin, 1988) “People get better at what they practice. Especially at what they practice to the exclusion of alternatives” (O’Connor and Hermelin, 1988) Based on anecdotal reports Based on anecdotal reports Often with autism and intellectual disability Often with autism and intellectual disability Drawing, musical performance, arithmetic Drawing, musical performance, arithmetic

14. Facilitated Communication and Telepathic Consistency Based entirely on anecdote, hearsay, and testimonial Based entirely on anecdote, hearsay, and testimonial Numerous internet sources claim that individuals “channel” the trauma of others Numerous internet sources claim that individuals “channel” the trauma of others

15. Energy-Based or Paranormal Related Therapies Parents and families who are dissatisfied with treatments that cannot “cure” Parents and families who are dissatisfied with treatments that cannot “cure” Energy-based and paranormal therapies are marketed for people with developmental disabilities Energy-based and paranormal therapies are marketed for people with developmental disabilities Homeopathic therapies can be “definitely effective” Homeopathic therapies can be “definitely effective” Treating entire person rather than the symptoms Treating entire person rather than the symptoms

16. Energy-Based or Paranormal Related Therapies Energy therapies- “…invokes the cosmic energy from the cosmos and is transmitted to a person through the channel of an accomplished healer” (Devi, 2002) Energy therapies- “…invokes the cosmic energy from the cosmos and is transmitted to a person through the channel of an accomplished healer” (Devi, 2002) Yes, cosmic energy comes from cosmos! Yes, cosmic energy comes from cosmos!

17. Energy-Based or Paranormal Related Therapies Parents seeking alternative treatments that promise to provide a “cure” will find internet and pop culture sources promoting energy and paranormal therapies Parents seeking alternative treatments that promise to provide a “cure” will find internet and pop culture sources promoting energy and paranormal therapies

18. Conclusion Considerations Considerations Substantial research and data Time and money are wasted More Red Flags! More Red Flags! Extremely passionate appraisals Too much benefit, too little fact