I have no interest in disparaging anyone who is close to a child that has real cognitive issues, but the spectrum diagnosis of today are scaring the pants off the parents, who are demanding special help for children that are slightly off base.

I have two nephews that both started being verbal later than most, were diagnosed with severe autism by the age of 2, and by the time they hit 6, they were acting like the dorky kids I grew up with. They'll likely have to ape their way thru life, learning off other's social cues.

My point is that the diagnosis come off so draconian and the reality is that these kids will likely live a close to normal life.