WebMD Medscape has published a shocking autism article in which it .... acknowledges the existence of large numbers of persons with Autistic Disorder and .... Intellectual Disability. The article even dares to refer to Intellectual Disability under its name in the DSM-IV ... Mental Retardation. Apparently the Medscape article authors do not appreciate the decades of committed research aimed at helping persons with MR that have resulted in profound medical advances like ... renaming Mental Retardation as Intellectual Disability (DSM5).
Dr. Laurent Mottron, and his mentor Michelle Dawson, for whom autism is a strength, Estee Klar for whom autism is a joy, Ari Ne'eman, and the members of his ASAN (Autism Self Advocacy Network) corporate board of directors, for whom autism is a culture, even those who acknowledge the existence of persons with autism AND intellectual disability but KWibble over the numbers, would probably be shocked to read Medscape's blunt references to autism and mental retardation/intellectual disability:
Autism is a condition that manifests in early childhood and is characterized by qualitative abnormalities in social interactions, markedly aberrant communication skills, and restricted repetitive and stereotyped behaviors.
Most individuals with autism also manifest mental retardation, typically moderate mental retardation with intelligence quotients (IQs) of approximately 35-50. Although children with autism are often difficult to evaluate with intelligence tests, three fourths of autistic children function in the mentally retarded range.
Generally, the lower the IQ, the greater the likelihood of autism. However, the low functioning level hinders assessment for key characteristics of autism in individuals with profound mental retardation and IQs below approximately 20. A small portion of those with autism never develop spoken language. Thus, diagnostic instruments for autism may give spurious results in children with profound mental retardation.
This article addresses autism in individuals with mental retardation. For information concerning individuals with autism spectrum disorders and related conditions without mental retardation, please see Asperger Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder."
As the above quote clarifies the Medscape article is referring to Autistic Disorder when it refers to autism and makes clear the real divide on the autism spectrum of disorders: those with an autism disorder with intellectual disability and those with an autism disorder without intellectual disability.
The article continues to shock with its honest discussion of other autism realities including the fact that many persons with autism disorders also suffer from seizures or that pharmaceutical therapies are ineffective in treating core deficits of autism.
For this father of a son severely impacted by Autistic Disorder deficits and Intellectual Disability it is a refreshing change to read an article that speaks honestly about the nature of autism disorders and which acknowledges the realities of persons with autistic disorder and intellectual disabilities. The DSM5 Autism Do-Over Committee, and various Neurodiversity ideologues, should follow the Medscape lead by providing "better information, better health".
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