Comments on: Thomas Sowell on False Diagnosis and “Genuine” Autism

By: John Beshuk

John Beshuk — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:49:15 +0000

I am a health insurance agent, and I deal with difficulties related to autism frequently. This website is performing a wonderful service, my thanks to you.

I have a client with a child diagnosed at age 18 months as autistic. At age 4 years he was reevaluated by the same doctor. All quantitative test results were normal, but the doctor maintains her diagnosis because, as she puts it, “autism is a life long condition”. This is a perfectly normal, socialo, happy 4 year old child.

The diagnosis limits his health insurance options, and increases financial risk for the family. The parents are convinced that the diagnosis is innacurate. Any suggestions on how to get this diagnosis removed?

Thank you.

By: LF

LF — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:34:12 +0000

It’s definitely overdiagnosed. There is big money in providing services for autistic children. Also remember that the psychiatric insdustry is constandly changing and revising their so-called disorders. At one time they were convinced that homosexuals were that way because of a mental disorder. As for autism, in some cases it is obvious the child is autistic, but when you start classifying “geeks” as being on the autistic spectrum, you are narrowing the range of what is normal. (And I have seen that happen.) There is an excellent book called “Making Us Crazy” – an inside look at the psychiatric industry. It’s worth reading.

By: moi

moi — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:32:53 +0000

Isnt it possible that parents are addicted to all these free services? that parents are being competitive.

By: RobinM78

RobinM78 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:00:39 +0000

I just finished reading the Einstein Syndrome. My son is almost 24 months and fits the description perfectly. However, we’ve had far different experiences with speech therapists and evaluations. We’ve been told multiple times that he’s not autistic and very bright (others in my family were late talkers but at least had their first words in ‘normal’ range). Nonetheless he’s in floortime, has a great floortime SLP and OT. Floortime is great fun for him (and us) and I can’t imagine any ‘future harm’ coming from it. Regardless if you have an Einstein child, or Autistic, you should always feel that the providers are on your side and your childs. A lot of the activity he mentioned wouldn’t be appropriate for ANY child.
Anyways, I think that was the point of the book, but not well articulated.

By: leena

leena — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:17:27 +0000

I dont know who is right but I have to say, having a three year old brother who didnt talk at all and only grunted till age 3 years 4 months when he began to string words! and also same brother had violent tantrums and now is completely normal, entirely verbal, well I will say he does kind of have a temper, he is a huge dude, very butch…it makes me wonder how he wouldve been diagnosed. doctors have told me they constantly hear anecdotes like this but ive lived it. problem is many kids with language delays do have autistic like behaviors sometimes which tend to fade when language is acquired.

By: Of “Handouts” and the “Most Vulnerable”

Of “Handouts” and the “Most Vulnerable” — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:41:10 +0000

[...] specify what form “government money” for autistic children might take; he references Thomas Sowell’s argument that the increase in autism is too many children who are really [...]

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:23:04 +0000

Savage—Camarata—Sowelll, all linked (”head-spinning” connections, indeed).

By: Dave (School Psychologist)

Dave (School Psychologist) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:13:51 +0000

I agree 100% with the last poster (Susan). We certainly use the ADOS and CARS and GARS as well as observations, interventions prior to evaluation, a doctor’s rule-out and any other, as much as possible, “objective” data before consideration for diagnosis and eligibility- which is not driven by funding. Certainly, language delays in and of themselves is a concern and needs attention but not in and of itself a reason to consider ASD. Anyway, I’m glad this topic is being debated.

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:04:47 +0000

Autism is real and should be diagnosed , when a child qualifies for this diagnosis according to the DSM IV criteria.A parent should educate themselves what that criteria is – it can be a real eye opener to what some claim to be an autism diagnosis.
Diagnostics are not supposed to follow school funding – they are supposed to follow correct examinations.
It is important that parents have their child examined by professionals who are properly trained in CARS and ADOS testing.
Below are a few screen pointers to appropriate testing although this does not necessarily cover all of it.
Autism examinations should not be under an hour to a conclude a child is autistic.
A full medical examination should be done on a child as well as a behavioral examination . A person should be specially trained to understand that late talking exists by itself, and what this is, as well as autism.
Any bizarre eye movements , should also be examined physically ( eye doctor) and not just be considered behaviorally.
Again, Late talking is not by itself PDD , or PDD NOS , or Autism.
There are numerous criteria to cover autism, and school systems more and more are using only one or two criteria to claim a very serious diagnosis, instead of considering all possibilities of what could be going on with a child. Outside professionals should be called in for fuller examinations.
Too many times children are not receiving enough speech therapy and only focusing on behavioral issues or OT , when a child simply needs language enrichment.

By: “He’s Just a Late Talker—He’ll Grow Out of It”

“He’s Just a Late Talker—He’ll Grow Out of It” — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:16:55 +0000

[...] July 18th editorial by conservative thinker Thomas Sowell about the false diagnosis of autism—–it’s entitled “Rush to diagnose autism causes more harm than [...]