[Yaelle]

I am puzzled why you cannot extend to us the courtesy to acknowledge that virtually all if not everyone, including of course Savage is talking about kids who have been misdiagnosed either due to lack of knowledge or on purpose.

I think I understand that sentence.

High functioning autism is hard to diagnose and indeed there are probably kids who are mildly on the spectrum who are diaagnosed more severely just so they qualify for state aid. I am against that, because very high functioning kids do not profit from expensive treatments. However, we should "first, do no harm," and it does harm to families to have the public assume that because an autistic child is inflexible and prone to tantrums, that some kind of punishment that works on neurotypical children would function with that child as well. We need understanding and kindness, not approbriation from our society.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Thank you for your informative reply. I mean that. Thanks.

I will try to explain what I think is the basis of the argument. We are not talking about in any way shape or form "an autistic child." A truly autistic child, No. No way.

I tried to compare these threads to the ILLEGAL alien debate where in no way were we talking about legal immigrants and legal residents. Though a few did feel that even legal immigration should maybe be suspended for a time.

You said, "I am against that." It is the "that" that virtually everyone is talking about IMO plus the outright fraud -- I truly believe that most know that fraud exists and have not attempted to include proof -- and it is the fraud which IMO most argue needs to be "treated" with a little old-fashion discipline.

Thanks again.