‘Dear Abby’ stands corrected on autism
July 30th, 2008
From the Kansas City Star, Philadelphia Daily News, and elsewhere:
In response to a complaint from a reader, nationally syndicated advice columnist ‘Dear Abby’ (Jeanne Phillips) backs off her earlier description of autism as a “mental health disorder .. some people consider … to be shameful.”
While autism is often considered a mental health disorder, Phillips now writes, it is actually biological in nature.
Experts clearly agree that autism is a neurologically based condition … However, this does not mean that autism is a “mental illness.” Autism is most accurately described as a “neurodevelopmental disorder.”
From the reader’s letter:
Autism is a neurological disorder, NOT a mental health disorder. Families who have a child with autism have many challenges ahead of them as they try to bring normalcy to their child’s life and to their family … These families need support, not misprints.
(Graphic from Universal Press Syndicate)
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