Bettelheim: During the mid-20 th century, Bettelheim was a self-styled expert on child development, and frequently appeared on TV, radio, and magazine covers. Here is a video of Bettelheim on the Dick Cavett show May 17, 1979, in which he states his position clearly: autism is caused not just by bad parenting but by parents who wish their child did not exist. From the perspective of today's knowledge, his words are chilling.

My heart goes out to all the families who suffered because of him.