From the most recent Newsweek, an article about "quirky kids":
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20657188/site/newsweek/
The autism spectrum features prominently and ADHD, etc... are also mentioned. We were discussing it in one of the chats and I thought I would share (by which I mean, someone asked me to post it here).
OK, I've done my bit... discuss...
Not bad. It's an article that's been done from a neutral stand point and just mentions both sides of several debates without going into a lengthy prognosis on anything. Hard to do but this article manages it.
I think the most important debate is education. I've always been of the belief that one system is too inflexible - even two (mainstream and special). It all boils down to the individual need and that can vary a huge amount.
That's all I can say for now, but this article is worth chatting about. Does anyone know if this edition of Newsweek is available? I think I just might get it from my newsagent if I can get it.
Parker, 13, whose daily routine includes reading Consumer Reports cover to cover
Uhh... That's something unusual for a 13-year-old to do? Crap, now I feel like getting out all my old CR magazines and reading them again (the products rated as the worst are my favorites to read about).
I thought Unsafe at Any Price was an interesting TV show. One tidbit after another for 15 to 30 minutes.
1. Dental irrigators that fall in the sink are bad.
2. Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome.
3. Imported produce with pesticides banned in USA can be harmful to your health
et cetera
I don't see the point of diagnosing a four year with a disorder - if he has no disorder in his life.
My feeling is - don't diagnose a disorder if there is just difference. People are different - difference doesn't always create disorder.
My son's life was disordered - we needed to understand why - the diagnosis was needed to make sense of his difference and the disorder it was creating.