All of my automatics get a fluid change via the cooler line method every 30,000 miles. I had a transmission mechanic tell me that lack of maintenance keeps him in business.
If you DO maintain your automatic transmission and change the fluid at least every 50k miles the old wives' tale about a fluid change damaging your transmission or making it slip is just not true.
Sure if you NEVER change the fluid for around 100k and then change you might have a problem.