The problem with many of these diagnoses (autism, Aspergers, ADD, etc) is that they’re a collection of symptoms without an actual, identifiable cause. Hence the claim Savage made…and he’s by no means the first to make it…that there’s much abuse for that very reason. Why? As has been pointed out above, there’s money to be made on these diagnoses on several fronts – drug companies, doctors, psychologists, school districts and even families. The kids may or may not be helped by whatever steps are taken for them, and yes, any kid is helped by “specialized instruction.” Who wouldn’t be?

The problem has been and remains the simple fact that no one can authoritatively say what autism is or is not. They can DESCRIBE it in great detail but can’t EXPLAIN it. Is it the manifestation of early brain trauma that went unnoticed? Is it what it used to be considered: a form of mental retardation that has been relabeled simply because “retarded” has gone from being a technical term that simply means “slowed” or “delayed” to being an insult? I don’t know. Neither does anyone else. Had Savage stuck to that point alone there’d be no controversy here, I suspect.

None of this is to say there really isn’t such a thing as autism or ADD (and I say this as one who will fall asleep if I drink too much coffee). I’ve seen boys and girls with autism (again, whatever “autism” is) and I can tell you that when it is a profound case it IS very real and debilitating; it is beyond the kid’s control. The problem is where the “spectrum” comes into play…there’s something going on with all the kids I’ve seen on the “spectrum” but it’s all too subjectively diagnosed and, as Savage pointed out, the child’s self-determined behavior does often figure in. And again – this bears constant repeating – too much money flies around on all sides to allow for careful, objective reasoning. Obvious, fair questions can’t even be asked for risk of offending this person or that person. Result: kids get labeled permanently so others can make money. I help them as I can. But I have no illusions that there’s a lot of voodoo and snake oil going on here.

Wake up idiot.

You claim I’m mixing up extreme and borderline. I’m not. I fully understand the difference because my family has both.

You say “Now, take a look at how little it takes to tick the guy off. Here’s this eleven-year-old boy; I happen to be his father, but let’s just say I’m an acquaintance. I know him, you guys don’t. We’ve got this crackpot diagnosis. I’ve paid the money to get hold of the complete medical file, and I’ve gone through it page by page. You two guys haven’t. I say, “I think this is a false diagnosis” with regard to this boy who is a complete stranger to the two of you. And wham, bam, it seems I’ve offended someone.”

No, you didn’t offend me with your *personal* experience. I actually applaud you for being your child’s strong advoacate. Would that more parents were like you.

Rather, I’m offended by your assertions that “It’s a racket. It’s causative of, and symptomatic of, a drive to do away with manhood; it’s long overdue for an investigative process, one which culminates in more than a few luminary eckspurts being defrocked of their positions. We have been hoodwinked REAL good here.”

THAT is what I called BS on: Your characterization of this as a “racket” and calling the spectrum an “abomination.” THAT’S what set me off.

However, I was in haste and totally missed your personal story in your response and how much that was part of it. It was not my intention to attack **you personally** or offend you personally. My apologies. Rather, I was going after your statements.

We’ve both been through somehwat similar things–you for much longer–and we obviously have a much different take. Yours was decidely negative. Mine? Still a struggle. I AGREE that there can be, and has been, too much over-diagnosis and mis-diagnosis, especially as the shallow end of the specturm. Such as: Is he PDD? Is he ADHD? Is he bi-polar? Language-delayed? A combination? Or just a regular rambunctious boy? (And I know that Savage didn’t say that autism doesn’t exist, or whatever.)

(However, there has been much more correct diagnoses of late. My wife’s cousin is a perfect example of someone who was misdiagnosed about 2 decades ago, and got royally effed up because of it.)

So, again, I’m sorry for taking what you wrote very personally and all but ignoring your personal experience. Not my intention, but I guess that’s what I did.

(And for the record, I wasn’t using any “tactic.” I’m not clever enough for that. Rather, I reacted as a bull to a red flag.)