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There is a kind of desperation to believe a kid is "fine"-- i.e., NT-- that also implies that autism is "not fine."

In part I think this is borne from black and white thinking on both sides (ironic, eh?) about autism...autistic or not, severely impaired or fine. I much prefer the concept of the spectrum, and offering help when people evince the need for it. In fact I think it's possible that some kids could be well served by diagnosis with "autistic-like traits" or simply "social difficulties."