Temple Grandin cautions not to give up on autistic kids - Chico Enterprise Record

Temple Grandin cautions not to give up on autistic kids - Chico Enterprise Record: "CHICO — When a young child is diagnosed as autistic, parents must move into high gear, Temple Grandin said in Chico Wednesday.
"The worst thing you can do is nothing," she said.
Grandin, who is autistic herself, is famous as an animal-behavior expert and as an advocate for people with autism.
An author and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, Grandin spoke twice, to large audiences, in Chico State University's Bell Memorial Union Auditorium Wednesday morning. She also was to be the keynote speaker at the Butte County Farm Bureau's annual banquet Wednesday evening."

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Attorney Claims Autism Parents Are Just In It for the SSI Gravytrain - I Speak of Dreams

Attorney Claims Autism Parents Are Just In It for the SSI Gravytrain - I Speak of Dreams

Many parents today want a diagnosis of autism spectrum for their child, not only because there is a great deal of funding allocated for services for those children, as the news article explains, but also because this qualifies the child or family to collect a good SSI payment each month. If a family can get a few kids diagnosed with such things, the family can live off the payments. This was caused because welfare payments are so low, welfare is so hard to get, and intact families with both parents present do not qualify for welfare.

The real story would be to check out what percentage of families with child with an autism diagnose are collecting SSI. That is where you will find the real secret behind this "epidemic." Also, school districts that will receive extra funding for each child with autism will be far more likely to make such a diagnosis.

When I was a kid, there were kids who kept track of details, counted things, paid little attention to others, and seemed socially awkward. There were called future accountants.

I realize there are actual cases of autism, which seems to be a form of retardation. A lot of this spectrum stuff, I think, is based on wanting to collect available funds, without regard for the fact it stigmatizes the children for life to have such a diagnosis.

Anyone who writes a scathing reply should reveal if their family is collecting SSI or if they or their school is in any way collecting funds based on autism.