An acupuncture clinic in Bexleyheath, where staff claim to be able to “cure” autism, has been labelled “cruel” by a disability campaigner and mum-of-six.
Emma Dalmayne, who is autistic, said she feels “violated” by businesses attempting to profit from concerned parents – and is disgusted by the suggestion that autism needs to be “fixed”.
Miss Dalmayne, whose children are all on the autistic spectrum, posed as the mother of a six-year-old voluntary mute when she called the Upton Clinic, in Upton Road.
The Plumstead resident was shocked to hear claims they could cure autism and even make her “son” speak.
One staff member, known as Helen, said the treatment could take up to a year, at a cost of £30 for every half-hour session.
Miss Dalmayne said: “There’s a lot of people preying on these parents.
Miss Dalmayne with her youngest two kids - Damien, eight, and Skylar, three
“It’s not something you can cure. It’s not a sickness. Sticking needles in a child’s back isn’t going to cure anything.
“I just want to stop them doing it to children. We just need legislation in place.
“The clinic are making a lot of claims about cancer, asthma, bed wetting.
“I don’t see how sticking needles will stop your child bed wetting.
“I thought ‘I bet they say they can cure autism as well’. It looks like a really classy place.
“It’s cruel what they are doing. It’s psychologically traumatic.
“You would have to be holding a six-year-old down, who’s not even understanding what’s going on.
“It’s sad because autistic people are treated like an epidemic and someone who needs to be fixed.
“There is no quick fix. It’s something you can help families cope with.
“I just want to stop it happening. It’s taking ages to get anything done.”
Miss Dalmayne made a recording of her telephone conversation with Upton Clinic, in which she asked: “I have heard good things – is it true that acupuncture can cure autism?”
The therapist, who called herself Helen, replied: “Yes.”
Miss Dalmayne then asked: “So after one year of acupuncture, my child will be able to talk?” and was again told: “Yes.”
There is no known cure for autism, and no accepted evidence to suggest acupuncture can cure the condition or ease symptoms.
When contacted for comment, Helen at Upton Clinic said acupuncture would not necessarily cure autism, but added: “It can help, because in the points on the head it can increase people's ability to do daily work.
“In China we have used acupuncture for over 400 years.
“If a child cannot speak after three or four years old, we would take a child to acupuncture and it can help.
“Nobody can say it can be cured, you have to see how it goes."
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