I've been reading a lot lately on another site about people suggesting autism at the drop of a hat just because a child is shy, or throws a tantrum or has a speech delay! Autism is so much more than that
Amy, I hope you don't think I'm diagnosing everybody in sight. I would not dream of diagnosing a child over the internet. I am not a doctor, and diagnosing is the job of capable professionals who evaluate the child, preferably in 6+ hours of testing and observation using standardized instruments, not just gut feelings.
I don't think it does kids who actually have an ASD any favors to 'normalize' it and make it seem like tons of people have it, and oh, it's not big deal, just a little autistic!
Well, it is part of normal reality, as in, lots of people ARE born that way. (1 in 88 boys is the current statistic, girls are still so underdiagnosed that the number there isn't reliable). Roughly one kid per grade in our elementary school.
But it is a big deal, especially since the world (the educational system, the job system) isn't geared for the needs, talents, etc. of the autistic population. Not to be taken lightly or dismissed.
One reason I write here is that the needs of the ASD/gifted population aren't addressed well anywhere, so far as I can see; they are marginal among ASD populations as well as among gifted populations and typical populations. There is still a lot that clinicians have to learn about distinguishing ASD/gifted from gifted or from ADHD/gifted or any other number of things. I am less interested in diagnosing per se than I am in ensuring that kids get the support they need.
DeeDee
