One: lots of these “autistic” kids are what would have been diagnosed as “retarded” before 1980.
Two: The behavioral aspects need to be treated for what they are: behavior.
There are treatment plans to do this, but it is difficult, so parents put up with behavior because they feel sorry for the kids. Have you seen the movie “The Miracle Worker”? Similar problem. A high functioning autistic is easier to train than a child with retardation and autistic behavior, but it can be done, with patience.
Three: Yes, there are neurological causes of temper tantrums and acting out, and these can be treated with medicines: Not tranquillizers, but often anti convulsants, lithium, or even propranolol. Alas, few docs have the experience to use them.
Four: Michael Savage is an idiot.
