Unfortunately, I have always enjoyed ER, Friends, and Dateline. But due to the terrible episode of ER where their was that ill-researched vaccine/measles incident, my family and I are now boycotting NBC programming. I know that you think that only a "small" number of parents are angry about that dismissive episode, but did you know that the NIH had declared autism a National epidemic. That the numbers rose from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 500. (some communities 1 in 250) And in 2000 the U.S. Dept of Education reported that it was 1 in 150? It is increasing. My sisters called me and were very upset about ER too. They called me. I didn't call them. It is not just one isolated family that is affected. It is also the supports and networks that that family has, as well. I'm glad that you think you can afford to lose this proportion of your audience. I wrote you right after the episode aired, but didn't receive much of a reply, just thanked me and that you appreciated my comments...the standard response. That is fine.
Last night ABC's Nightline did a magnificent piece on autism. It was regarding ABA therapy. It was well researched and showed everything about it. The good, the bad, and the ugly. But most of all....it was ACCURATE. I will be switching to ABC programming until I am satisfied that NBC has decided to be more considerate and better researched.(the false figures was the worst, closely followed by the way the mother was hostilly treated--NICE BEDSIDE MANNER!) Perhaps you should start viewing ABC's programming for their excellence in journalistic integrity. You may want to use them as a role model.
Please feel free to notify me if you plan to rectify this somehow. I'll be happy to pass it on to others that are offended in the autism community.