About.com

Autism Resources Among the Finalists for Readers' Choice Awards

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:42:19 +0000

Voting for the 2013 Readers' Choice Awards is in progress on About.com's Parenting Children With Special Needs site, and many autism resources are among the contenders. Check out the autism-related ...

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NY Times Opinion: Over-Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:22:28 +0000

Now that the American Psychiatric Association has stated they may refine the ways autism and Asperger syndrome are diagnosed, The New York Times examines the matter on today's opinion page.

First, an op-ed by psychiatrist Paul Steinberg, "Asperger's History of Over-Diagnosis," delves into the history of the issue:

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Proposed Changes to DSM's Autism Definition Likely to Raise Eyebrows

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:08:02 +0000

Few conditions seem to generate as much controversy as autism. The latest potential hornet's nest centers on the upcoming fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is due out in 2013. The DSM, which is put out by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), is the mental health profession's bible, setting the standard for research, treatment and insurance decisions.

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A Farewell to the About.com Autism Site

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:56:23 +0000

Well, it's been about five and a half years.

When I started on this site, my son was just a little guy.

At that time, I wanted to know all about autism spectrum disorders. And over the years, I have learned! The wealth of information I collected - all I ever wanted to know, and more! - will still be here, on these web pages, for a while to come. That's because any site guide starting out today to cover topics in autism would have to start almost from scratch in just a year and a half, when the new diagnostic manual is published. At that time, much of what I've written about - Asperger syndrome, PDD-NOS, speech issues related to autism and more - will simply be... obsolete.

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An Adult with Autism Follows His Passion

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:14:26 +0000

What can an adult with autism do with his life?

Some adults with autism are fortunate enough to find the supports to pursue their passion.

Lee is an adult with autism who followed his fascination with remote controlled cars - and found friendship, respect, opportunities and more!

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The "New" DAN! and Autism Research Institute

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:51:18 +0000

The Autism Research Institute was out there first, and that's why they own that coveted URL: http://www.autism.com!

Given that the organization has been around for a very long time, it makes sense that there would be changes to their approach to autism treatment.

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Married: With Autism! Is Your Spouse on the Spectrum?

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:46:09 +0000

Back in 2006, I wrote a blog post asking for insights into marriage and autism. The blog's title was "Is Your Spouse Autistic?"

Every week now, it seems, I get another comment or two on that very old blog post. It's obviously a topic that hits a nerve. And while a number of books have come out on the topic of marriage and Asperger syndrome, I get the feeling that most people need a place to vent more than a book of advice.

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Guilt and Autism Part Two: Choosing and Limiting Therapies

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:15:53 +0000

In response to my recent blog post asking whether parents feel guilty because of their child's autism, one parent said:

Because there is no definitive cause of Autism (not one that has been discovered yet), there is no reason to feel guilt. How can one feel guilty when one doesn't know in the first place? I don't feel guilty about Autism. I don't know what caused my childrens' Autism. I have a feeling that it is genetic, but it's just a feeling. My guilts lie in the direction we take ie. therapies, schools, disciplines, etc. Is it the right decision? Was that the right thing to do? Was this medication a good idea? You know, stuff that I can actually control. My children have Autism and that's a fact. Why they do, or how they do is beyond my control. They just do. And for that, I don't feel guilty.

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Do You Feel Guilty About Your Child's Autism?

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:46:49 +0000

Whose fault is autism?

It was a very long time ago that the "refrigerator mother" theory of autism was tossed out the window. Now, no reasonable person would suggest that mom's bad attitude is a direct cause of autism.

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Back to School with Autism: How's It Going?

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 17:02:23 +0000

Back to school is always a tricky time for families with special needs students. How is it going for you and your child?

Tell us about your successful - and not so successful transitions.

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