Autism learning disability

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
Autism learning disability
3
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 10:52pm

As I've been perusing the Net, I have found people talking about Autism and calling it a learning disability.

I have never, ever, in all my 14 years as a paraprofessional, heard that before. In my understanding, Autism is a developmental disability/disorder. Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, etc are learning disabilities.

Thoughts? Has anyone else heard this?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 05-12-2006 - 3:10am

I would say that those folks are likely classifying it incorrectly. Kind of like calling autism a disease or mental illness. It is not accurate but some folks do it anyway. Autism/aspergers are not disease, mental illness or learning disabilities as per the definition of those. Per definition autism and autism spectrum disorders are developmental disorders/delays. You are correct as far as my knowledge.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2006
Fri, 05-12-2006 - 10:13am
I agree...the only way that would make any sense is if they are referring to the education classification. I remember something from one of our first IEP, or maybe it was last IEFP or whatever the letters are before you turn 3 - lol - and even though the psychologist didn't think DD met the citeria for an Autism diagnosis, (right now her diagnosis is Pdd-NOS)for the school she would be given a learning disability diagnosis of Autism. She basically thought that who ever the idio....umm congressional aide drafting the legislation - lol... who wrote that particular portion of the law, just got it wrong. So it doesn't actually refer to the diagnosis, just the educational classification or something like that..... at that point i didn't really care what they were calling it, i was more concerned about getting all the services....
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
Sat, 05-13-2006 - 3:41pm

Okay. I was just checking.

You see, I have a blog and I've been perusing other people's blogs as well. Many people have written about learning disabilities and then gone on to give autism as an example. I have been a little confused by it. Obviously they don't know what they are talking about.

btw if anyone is interested in reading my blog, it's at...

http://www.cookienotes.blogspot.com