August 30, 2008
Autism not only medical condition to draw insults
Autism is not the first disease or disorder to confront disbelief and public insults.
Other conditions, including attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder, often are a source of misconceptions, says Kathleen Riley, a member of the National Association of Autism's Metro New York chapter. Children with such conditions can have, among other symptoms, difficulty with communication and social interaction.
"To the general population, these disorders appear to be a behavioral issue only, one that is blamed on parents and teachers," said Riley, who has worked with autistic children and their families for nine years. "People don't understand that these children have a high level of discomfort all of the time -- they are not just behaving badly."
Terry Matlen, the former vice president of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, said the skepticism, or even disbelief, that such disorders exist may be due to the absence of visual symptoms.
"It's an invisible disability," Matlin said. "If it's not an obvious disability, people have a hard time believing their children have it."
Get breaking news | Most popular stories | Dining and Travel deals all via e-mail!
Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.
-
MANHASSET DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
NYC visitor's guide
From cheap eats to TV show tickets, traditional sights to offbeat activities, learn how to navigate the city like a native.
Popular stories
- Child injured by Adventureland prop
- Palin brings excitement, but little experience, to ticket
- Suspect in fatal hit-run nabbed at JFK
- CAR CRASHES KILL TEENS
- Palin brings excitement, but little experience, to ticket
New York Real Estate
City Living: Kew Gardens, Queens This triangular-shaped enclave has many conveniences of city life, yet retains a small-town feel.
Photos | More City Living
METROMIX
