November 19, 2003
DEINCENTIVIZE THE DIAGNOSIS:
Government Mapping Out a Strategy to Fight Autism (JANE GROSS, 11/19/03, NY Times)
Propelled by the skyrocketing number of diagnoses of the perplexing brain disorder autism in children, federal officials have for the first time mapped out a long-term, interagency plan to deal with the problem.The plan includes objectives like the development of teaching methods that will allow 90 percent of autistic children to speak; the identification of genetic and nongenetic causes of the condition; and adequate services for all afflicted children in the next 7 to 10 years. [...]
The three-pronged plan sets goals for more coordinated biomedical research, earlier screening and diagnosis, and effective therapy. The plan demands, for the first time, collaboration between scientists, clinicians, educators and policymakers in an array of federal agencies. [...]
Nobody knows the cause of the surge, although epidemiologists suspect it is largely a result of refined diagnosis and public awareness. That does not change the dimensions of a problem that strains schools, medical services and families. Nor does it affect forecasts of growing caseloads for decades to come.
Not that there aren't genuine cases, but Autism, like Attention Deficit Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome, seems mainly a way for parents and teachers to blame an organic condition for the rather normal childhood problems that kids, especially boys, have always had. Want to reduce the number of cases? Tighten the diagnosis standards and don't create incentives for parents and schools to assert that kids have it. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 19, 2003 9:13 AM
And while you are at it, ban diagnosing any child as "gifted" unless he/she can write a symphony.
Posted by: Peter B at November 19, 2003 11:28 AMI put my daughter in a "school" at 2 and half so she could socialize with other kids and have some fun without mommy constantly being around. After 2 days her "teacher" told me I should have her checked for a developmental disorder. She said she was lagging behind the other kids and should be evaluated (a process including an MRI!). After 2 days she had decided this.
Then she proceeded to tell me how there was no stigma and that she had known for a long time that her son had something going on and it took years and many doctors before he was finally diagnosed with Aspergers. Basically he wasn't exactly like his friends. Not very outgoing, etc.
She was fired fairly soon after that, but she made a militant anti-categorization parent out of me.
Oh, and my now 3 year old is now in pre-K 4 in the same school. I guess I should have her checked for hyper-developmental disorders?
Posted by: NKR at November 19, 2003 11:56 AMMy oldest girl is three and a half and she's never been in one of these "schools" (an eyebrow raising act of rebellion, around here at least) and her mother or I take care of her and her sister every day. We were shocked when she was literally still in diapers and everyone began asking if she was in school yet. Feh! Teach them what they need to know at home and they can get "socialization skills" at the park. Why turn them over to these kooks and other people's maniacal toddlers if you don't have to?
Posted by: Jerome Howard at November 19, 2003 1:34 PMWell, feh! to you too, Jerome. Most of the teachers at the school are excellent, in fact, my daughter's current teacher is very wonderful and I'm incredibly happy with the way she interacts with the kids.
If my daughter didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't be taking her there. But she does. She enjoys the other kids (who are all very nice, by the way) and she likes the independence. It's a mere 3.5 hours 3 days a week.
Judge not, Jerome. We all have our reasons for doing the things we do. My girl is thriving and loves the school, her teachers and all the friends she's made. If I could afford to send her 5 days a week, I would and she'd love it even more.
And most of the time when people ask if your kid is in school, they're looking for recommendations because they're interested or in need of a situation for themselves. I hope you're not passing along your gumpy judgements to your sweet kids.
Posted by: NKR at November 19, 2003 2:04 PMWell, feh! to you too, Jerome. Most of the teachers at the school are excellent, in fact, my daughter's current teacher is very wonderful and I'm incredibly happy with the way she interacts with the kids.
If my daughter didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't be taking her there. But she does. She enjoys the other kids (who are all very nice, by the way) and she likes the independence. It's a mere 3.5 hours 3 days a week.
Judge not, Jerome. We all have our reasons for doing the things we do. My girl is thriving and loves the school, her teachers and all the friends she's made. If I could afford to send her 5 days a week, I would and she'd love it even more.
And most of the time when people ask if your kid is in school, they're looking for recommendations because they're interested or in need of a situation for themselves. I hope you're not passing along your gumpy judgements to your sweet kids.
Posted by: at November 19, 2003 2:14 PMDear Orrin:
Autism is a monstrous disease, combining a very strange inability to see other human beings as human beings rather than things along with, typically, severe mental retardation.
It's typically a life sentence, although one young relative of mine spontaneously recovered after a half dozen horrible years.
Posted by: Steve Sailer at November 20, 2003 8:48 PMSteve:
Yes, that's why you shouldn't just diagnose kids with it when they have trouble in class.
Posted by: oj at November 20, 2003 9:08 PM