There has been "scientific" evidence of autism as far back as 1934, and we still don't know jack shit about it. The real problem is that autistic kids were lumped into other categories and generally labeled schizophrenic or mentally retarded, not very illuminating terms when applied to autism. Teachers were some of the last to know.

In the world of psychology/psychiatry there have been further studies that are more helpful. So your remark isn't quite accurate, Greg.

SINSULL--thank you for that.

As a child I spoke very little until I reached the age of twelve or so. I overheard myself described as stupid, undisciplined and retarded. It wasn't until I was about thirteen that I spoke in what could be recognized as real language. My IQ was about 30 points higher than any teachers I had and the school result shocked the shit out of the school and the teachers. But we all know that 'for instance is not proof'.

But science hasn't helped any of us all that much. If it hadn't been for the acceptance of me by my grandfather and grandmother I would have killed myself before the time I could articulate. I don't expect anyone to understand, nor really do I care if anyone does. I know what my life was like in those years, and none of the scientists or doctors could figure out wtf was 'wrong' with me. Societal attitudes were a BIG part of wtf was wrong with me. Even these days--I'm 63 now--I can go without talking for days and I don't see anything amiss with that. But I still see societal attitudes that disgust me beyond most people's comprehension. I don't care for sympathy nor do I like it. It's another word in the dictionary located between shit and syphilis. If so-called science would put 1/1000th the money into a study of autism and the disorders associated with it that it does into pharmaceuticals and weapons research we'd have this figured out in ten years. I gave up expecting miracles when I was a kid. I don't expect them today.

I have heard teachers—when I was a teacher—ask how they could fix certain kids. All I could answer was "why do you want to 'fix' the kid"? You a mechanic or a teacher? Jaysus, we still ain't out of the dark ages. Parents of autistic children are crying for answers, but because no one has yet figured a way to make a buck out of it—well, the answers will remain speculations. Does this situation anger me? More than anyone will ever know. In my world, one not shared with too many people, the LACK of scientific research says more than the studies. We do live in a world that doesn't give a shit: a world that has thrown away some great minds and along with that the hopes of too many people.

As we speak, there is a reactor that was designed by science, a reactor that we were assured was safe. In the parlance, 'tell it to the marines.' Science itself has been bought out by big business and even bigger conglomerates called multinationals. I have little trust for the thing so many people seem to revere. And given "science's" recent past, I don't know that I'd trust what science says, anyway.

imo and no offense meant to anyone.