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.
It can and has been overdiagnosed and misdiagnosed.
http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2007/11/13/crusades_versus_caution
I have personally witnessed an 8-year-old “autistic” (according to the mother) boy assault (the victim’s clothing was torn and four buttons had been pulled off) another person who was playing with his brother. After being initially apologetic, the mother explained that “he gets jealous when people play with Johnny; if Victim had spent more time paying attention to him, it wouldn’t have happened.”
Did the autistic child get a lesson about personal responsibility that day? Nope.
But the victim sure got a lesson “I have to be responsible for my behavior, but Johnny’s Mommy thinks its my fault if Johnny isn’t responsible for his.”
Those are the kind of parents you are, likely unfairly, being compared to. The parents who make excuses when their kids act out of line.
It can and has been overdiagnosed and misdiagnosed. This article names some common ways that it can be so.
http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2007/11/13/crusades_versus_caution
I have personally witnessed an 8-year-old “autistic” (according to the mother; we’ll call him Billy) boy assault (the victim’s clothing was torn and four buttons had been pulled off) another person who was playing with his brother. After being initially apologetic, the mother explained that “Billy gets jealous when people play with Johnny; if Victim had spent more time paying attention to him, it wouldn’t have happened.” on about personal responsibility that day? Nope.
But the victim sure got a lesson “I have to be responsible for my behavior, but Billy & Johnny’s Mommy thinks its my fault if Billy isn’t responsible for his.”
Those are the kind of parents you are, likely unfairly, being compared to. The parents who make excuses when their kids act out of line.