Are you one of those people who say that higher functioning forms of autism are not a disability, they're merely a 'difference'? If so, I have great news for you! The fine people at the American Psychiatric Association (ASA) agree! They've recently released the proposed changes to the diagnostic criteria for autism for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th Eddition (DSM-V), and all of those who are merely 'different' will no longer qualify for a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
My children, however, will still be autistic. So, once these fine rules take effect I'm going to start bitchslapping people for telling me my daughter's problems are just bad manners, poor parenting, because we homeschool, or I'm making them up, because, after all, you, or your kid, was "diagnosed with that too" and you, or your kid, are merely 'different'.
Really? Have you not read the Letter to Grandparents? (Click here stupid)
My kid is different alright. She's different to the point of being disabled. My child is probably going to need supports for the rest of her life. Oh wait... I have TWO minor children with autism. One is very obviously autistic. After 5 minutes of talking to her even a complete stranger can visibly see there's 'something wrong'. The other one though... not so much.
That one is still going to be considered autistic after the new criteria go into effect. I've already talked to her doctor about it. He says the only change that he can see will be a change in formal diagnosis from Asperger's Syndrome to moderate ASD. Oh yeah, she's being downgraded. Why is none of your business.
What is your business is the load of hell you're going to get from me and people like me if you keep this "it's only a difference" stuff up after the DSM-V is released. The people who are merely 'different' will have been weeded out.
Unfortunately, some people (both kids and adults) who actually need help will be weeded out right along with you. But, take heart, your inscesent whining paid off. Your image will be protected. Meanwhile, my friend's kid, who is one anal retentive trait short of an ASD diagnosis is going to fall through the cracks. His parents will start, and actually already have started, scrambling to figure out a way to get him the help he needs so that he can be something resembling self-suffient as an adult so as not to become a welfare burden on your tax dollar. Oh wait... it will be you kids' tax dollar. Nevermind that at least half of those kids won't pay taxes because they won't have jobs... because they're 'different'.
Am I mad? You tell me. No, I'll tell you: I'm fricken furious!
Go ride your tricycle.
