Refrigerator mother theory

For the documentary film, see Refrigerator Mothers.

The refrigerator mother theory, also known as Bettelheim's theory of autism, is a discredited psychological theory that the cause of autism is a lack of parental, and in particular, maternal emotional warmth. Evidence against the refrigerator mother theory began in the late 1970s, with twin studies suggesting a genetic etiology, as well as non-social environmental factors. Modern research generally agrees that there is a largely epigenetic etiology of autism spectrum disorders.

The terms refrigerator mother and refrigerator parents were coined around 1950 as a label for mothers or fathers of children diagnosed with autism or schizophrenia. Both terms are now regarded as stigmatizing and no longer used.

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