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Public Letter from Professor Tony Attwood
& Dr Michelle Garnett

Regarding recent discussions about autism educational content and the RMET.
Embrace Autism, Oakville, Ontario L6K 1P3 25th May 2026 To the attention of: Chief Executive Officer and Director of Research Dear Dr Natalie Engelbrecht We write with sincere and profound regret on learning of a recent targeted online campaign aimed at defaming and undermining the professionalism and character of your organization and those who have contributed to it for years, based on the misapplication of comments we made regarding a posting on your website related to the RMET tool, in circumstances where we were misled by a third party as to the context and full substance of your post. We subsequently reviewed the post on your website regarding the parameters of the RMET, including the consideration of time latency as a qualitative observational tool. You correctly note that this is distinct from a formally validated psychometric modification to the RMET that is supported by published research. As is clear from the educational content of your website, a clinical diagnosis of autism must take into account a variety of considerations that are typically validated through specific
standardized psychometric testing, together with clinical history and the ruling out of other conditions. The RMET may be one tool employed in the context of a diagnostic assessment; however, it would never be relied on exclusively to justify a diagnosis of autism, as you are clearly aware, and as is clear from the full context of your website and the various psychometric tools that you reference there. We understand that the statements used by us commenting on your reference to the RMET have been repeated hundreds of times by individuals online with the result of damage to the credibility and professionalism of you and your organization. As you know, we immediately wrote to you on learning of the complaint regarding your reference to the RMET and after review, confirmed that your statements about the RMET and its parameters were correct and in accordance with established research. We write to make clear that your comments regarding the parameters of the RMET were correct and appropriate and that the statements online to the contrary are inaccurate and made without regard to context. The online statements also use our comments out of context and in a manner that was not meant to be conveyed by us. We have followed with interest for years the work of Embrace Autism in communicating educational material including about the tools and tests frequently used in the screening, assessment and diagnosis of autism and autism spectrum disorders. We have broadly found your statements regarding the parameters of various psychometric tests applied to the assessment and diagnosis of autism to be fair and accurate. In our view, they have served as a tool to significantly and positively advance awareness and understanding not only about autism spectrum disorders but about how they are commonly screened for, assessed and diagnosed. You have also posted valuable information and resources to assist those who are diagnosed with autism to enhance social integration, communication skills and on how to incorporate a strengths-based view that enables people to maximize their potential and to overcome societal barriers frequently confronted by those with the condition.
There is a dearth of publicly available and accessible information about autism and the tools associated with screening for and assessing the condition. The work of Embrace Autism to communicate and to make publicly available and accessible to the world the various tools and tests associated with screening, assessment and diagnosis of these conditions represents a significant contribution to the education of the broader public about these conditions and how they are properly assessed and diagnosed as well as about the impact that people experience from these conditions socially, functionally, economically and medically. We wholeheartedly support and wish you and your team the very best as you continue in your significant endeavours to enhance education, understanding and awareness about autism and autism spectrum disorders and the tools and tests commonly associated with their screening, assessment and diagnosis. If we can be of further assistance in your efforts, we trust that you will feel confident in contacting us. Yours sincerely, Dr Michelle S Garnett BPsych(Hons), MPsych(Clin), PhD(Psych), FCCP Clinical Psychologist Prof Tony Attwood MSc, PhD(Psych), AFBPsS, MAPS, MAPS, FCCP Clinical Psychologist

Land acknowledgement

Embrace Autism recognizes and acknowledges the traditional lands of the Indigenous peoples across Ontario. From the lands of the Anishinaabe to the Attawandaron and Haudenosaunee, these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in First Nations history.

We are in solidarity with Indigenous brothers and sisters to honour and respect Mother Earth. We acknowledge and give gratitude for the wisdom of the Grandfathers and the four winds that carry the spirits of our ancestors that walked this land before us.

Embrace Autism is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation—the Treaty holders—for being stewards of this traditional territory.

A First Nations symbol, consisting of a Sun surrounded by four Eagle feathers.

Land acknowledgement

Embrace Autism recognizes and acknowledges the traditional lands of the Indigenous peoples across Ontario. From the lands of the Anishinaabe to the Attawandaron and Haudenosaunee, these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in First Nations history. We are in solidarity with Indigenous brothers and sisters to honour and respect Mother Earth. We acknowledge and give gratitude for the wisdom of the Grandfathers and the four winds that carry the spirits of our ancestors that walked this land before us. Embrace Autism is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation—the Treaty holders—for being stewards of this traditional territory.

A First Nations symbol, consisting of a Sun surrounded by four Eagle feathers.