[Immerito]

Unfortunately, autism is so over-diagnosed and misdiagnosed that it is becoming a synonym for “undisciplined child syndrome”.

There are some parents of children with a mental disorder who use the disorder to beg other adults to excuse *ALL* the child’s misbehavior.

Those parents ruin it for the parents whose kids really suffer from the disorder.

[MsLady]

I don't know about over diagnosed of misdiagnosed. If you've never had a child like this or delete with one, you can't imagine just how hard it can be to make these types of kids understand. The excuses often are not excuses. If the kid doesn't understand what you are trying to teach them, if they are off in their own little world. To reach that place takes years. It can be exhausting and emotionally draining. I use to wake up in tears and go to bed in tears.

My daughter was diagnosed 29 years ago. At first they didn't have a clue as to what was wrong with her, nor could they tell me how to discipline her, she didn't understand much of anything. She responded to things inappropriately, her communication was more parroting than much of anything else. Her understanding and comprehension was near zero. Try reaching someone like that. Along with being super hyper. She couldn't sit still at all. Seems everything overstimulated her. She would calm herself by chewing on something usually something rubbery. I kept a supply of teething rings or she would chew on her fingers. I had to watch her like a hawk. She would be into everything at once. And everything went into her mouth. She was more or less like that until about age 9, then things began to get better. Slowly over the years she's gotten better. I still can't leave her alone. She still lives at home, needs constant supervision. Her behavior is like night and day but, she still has her moments.