As the recent Ransom Notes campaign continues to draw criticism and support, I find myself wondering what exactly the purpose is of "raising awareness" for its own sake?

Some awareness-raising campaigns really do have a clear intent - and it's possible to know if that intent is being fulfilled. For example, campaigns to raise awareness of the early signs of autism have led (at least indirectly) to new guidelines for pediatricians. Awareness campaigns promoting breast exams may be part of the reason why there are fewer deaths from breast cancer than in prior decades.

But what exactly is behind the notion that we should simply raise awareness of Trouble (with a capital T)? In the show The Music Man, Professor Harold Hill raises awareness of the potential that a pool hall has to cause Trouble - and even suggests that the pool hall could lead to drinking, "scarlet women," and more! His reason for raising the townsfolks' awareness was simple: to sell them on the idea that a boy's band (instruments and uniforms provided by Prof. Hill himself) would solve the potential Trouble.

Is there a Professor Hill in the background in the case of autism "awareness raising?" Is someone benefitting financially from all the recent media attention?

Certainly, some people are making an awful lot of money by pointing out possible (unproven) causes of autism. Millions of dollars are pouring in in research dollars - and it's unclear whether it's being appropriately distributed. Millions of dollars are being spent on potential treatments and cures that are having little or no impact. Plenty of therapists who would typically be making less are now able to ask and receive $100 or more per hour. Private academies are popping up that charge $50,000 a year to educate children with autism - with the assumption that school districts (and property taxes) will pay for it all.

We are all hereby aware of autism. But what is it that all this awareness raising is supposed to achieve? And how is all this awareness making a serious dent in such critical issues as... education, job training, independent living situations, and real progress toward prevention and treatment of autism spectrum disorders? Is it really helping? Or is it simply pushing parents to throw more and more money at the problem in hopes that one or another of the many treatments of which they have become aware will make all the difference?

There are an awful lot of people making an awful lot of money out there. But how much is all that awareness, all that money, and all that media attention really benefitting children and adults on the autism spectrum? Is it possible that our kids would actually do just as well with the basics - a stable environment, consistent, loving, 1:1 adult involvement in their lives, proper nutrition - and high expectations?