[Natural Law]

My daughter heads an autism program in our local public school system here in California and deals with this issue daily. The California numbers are skewed because many parents are forcing an autism diagnosis for children who are actually retarded. It seems that having an autistic child is more socially acceptable and politically correct in some circules than having a retarded child.

[Calpernia]

YES! There is a difference with Autism and Autistic like behavior. As long as criteria can be met from various diagnoses, you can be labeled autistic and not be a patient with true autism.

[Hildy]

How ironic, because I believe autism is the exact opposite of retardation.

[afraidfortherepublic]

It seems that having an autistic child is more socially acceptable and politically correct in some circules than having a retarded child.

That is a tremendously insensitive and ignorant comment. Obviously you do not have anyone in you family who suffers from either heartbreaking disorder.

[Mr. Quarterpanel]

It seems that having an autistic child is more socially acceptable and politically correct in some circules than having a retarded child.

I believe that the DMS IV is quite clear in its criteria as to what constitutes mental retardation and what constitutes autism. I know of no reference to political correctness in it. Doctors who make such diagnoses understand the gravity of making it, and should not (read Better Not!) make it by comittee, or by how they "feel".

[montag813]

It seems that having an autistic child is more socially acceptable and politically correct in some circules than having a retarded child.

Yeah, thanks to Rain Man.

[vidbizz]

Interesting...How is the increase in Autism related to women having children later in life? Is there a connection? After all, Down's Syndrome children are more prevelent when women have children after age 40.

[SCalGal]

It seems that having an autistic child is more socially acceptable and politically correct in some circules than having a retarded child.

I think it's also the new "popular" diagnosis. My cousin is fighting an autism label on her child. The school feels that he is autistic because he "fixates". What he does used to be called an attention span.