At what point is a child NOT on the spectrum, but simply an introvert?
Seriously. I am so sick of them pathologizing introversion. My Ds is introverted (as is my DH) but both have much better social skills than I, an extrovert, imo . Personally, as an extrovert I am a bit jealous of the introverts... I think it's a better way to be. I like how they don't need to be running their mouths all of the time over every problem they have and how they do not feel compelled to give their opinions about everything like me and my extroverted co-horts. LOL. Both also seem to care less about 'peer pressure' or fitting in. But neither is even remotely on the spectrum.
And my DS isn't even the most introverted kid - he loves to converse and is very good at it (has been since he could talk at 2)... But it seems like the school is still a bit freaked-out about introversion - like it is something that has to be treated. In Kindy they put DS in a "social skills class for shy kids." I thought it was completely unnecessary but Ds enjoyed it (and it got him out of "boring" class work) so I didn't balk. If DS likes it and, personally, I believe ALL young kids (extroverts and introverts) can benefit from social skills guidance (not sure why they don't throw the kids constantly doing potty-talk and picking their noses and eating it in social skills class but I digress), then by all means pay some teacher a ton of money (wealthy school district) to do a "social skills" class for DS... But still, in the back of my mind I was annoyed as I knew they probably saw DS being introverted as a 'problem' and/or red flag for an ASD. After a few weeks, though, it did become clear DS didn't really "need it" (surprise surprise). I am assuming maybe it was more for children Dx with autism spectrum dsorders who need to learn how to converse, maintain eye contact and take turns and share and such (all of which my DS is really good at) and they discontnued it for DS saying it became obvious he didn't need it. DS was a bit disappointed as he liked it. But really? This was in the first two weeks of school they decided to throw DS in this ... They saw he was a bit introverted and didn't mind playing alone instead of engaging in "potty talk" and suddenly he needs some sort of therapy/special class! Well, apparently, they are doing the same thing this year...I think. DS asked me the other day when he was going to start getting pulled out for a "special playgroup." I didn't know what he was talking about. He said a school psychologist pulled him out of class the first week to introduce herself and tell him that he will be in the social skills playgroup. He was happy about it (even though he's introverted he still is actually social LOL and is hoping it'll get him out of the boring stuff) but it hasn't happened yet. I am thinking they may have changed their minds (b/c I volunteer at the school and he is really very good socially), we'll see I guess. But again, they see a more reserved or introverted child and they are all over it to "treat" it. I guess I'd rather be in a district who has so much money and resources and to over-treat than to under-treat or ignore problems but, on the other hand, I think there is a dark side to "looking for autisism or related disorders" everywhere. I think it is smart to do things the way DS does (he likes to spend several weeks observing the other children and deciding which children he thinks he would like to have as a friend - then he strategizes ways to approach the children (usually boys) he identifies as potential friends... he actually reports himself that this is how he likes to do things). And I think it is fine to be a person or a kid who doesn't mind being on his own. I do think it can be ESPECIALLY damaging to gifted kids and 2E kids who are sooooo prone to mis-lables and mis-diagnosis.
Just my experience.
