What is with all this talk of AUTISM?

As a SLP major who is nearing the end of my school years, I have had about a complete 360 on my view of autism. I even literally quit my job as a behavior therapist who works with autistic kids because I felt I was being hypocritical.

Honestly. I think autism is the new ADD.

I do believe autism exists. I believe I worked with a girl who was about as pure of an example of autism as can be. And then, I see all these people in the clinic who are diagnosed as "autistic." Symbolic language disorder? Language Delay? Maybe yes. Autistic? NO.

I know about the spectrum from PDD to Aspergers to high functioning to full blown autism. You name it, I know about it.

I am a firm believer that if you label someone, these kids are going to live up to that label. I see no problem with parents seeking out therapy from private sources such as university clinics to get extra help for their children. I do, however, become angry when parents get angry at school districts because their "autistic" kids aren't receiving therapy through the school. Well, to get therapy at a school (aka FREE THERAPY), your kid (depending on the state) has to meet criteria, usually around 1.5-1.75 standard deviations below the mean. In other words, if 100 is average, and 15 is the standard deviation, then anywhere form 85-115 is "average." 1.5 standard deviations below average is around 63. And that is lenient criteria. In Wisconsin, it's 1.75 below. That's a pretty low score.

I believe autism exists. I also believe society believes in every kid being the best and superstar and most well behaved, and let's face it...that isn't gonna happen. Autistic kids only like certain texture foods is a common statement. Well, I gag whenever I eat yogurt or pudding. I have nervous tendencies. I am anti-social sometimes. Bright lights give me a headache. God, I hope I'm not autistic. Or PDD-NOS.

I'm not trying to be an ass or offensive, and I have no problem dealing with autistic kids, but I am really quite sick of hearing about this autism epidemic. I believe in autism. I also believe it's being over-diagnosed. And I believe labeling kids, especially with such a stigmatized word, is not going to solve anything.