Lumping autism and Asperger's into a single spectrum disorder was a mistake imho. I'll be using the old terminology here, for clarity. The two share some sympt

Lumping autism and Asperger's into a single spectrum disorder was a mistake imho. I'll be using the old terminology here, for clarity. The two share some symptoms, but largely in the "all psychiatric disorders are comorbid" way. Asperger's is best modeled as a personality disorder[0][1] whereas autism proper is a neurodevelopmental disorder, associated with significant developmental disability and delay in mastering basic human skills, some of which, sometimes, never manifest. Most of the flak in "treatment of autism" comes from adults with Aspergers, and usually milder cases of it. This is what happens when you lump such people in with non-verbal twelve-year-olds who wear helmets, especially if misguided physicians and parents attempt to "treat" them using protocols designed for the latter sort of person. People with Asperger's can benefit, sometimes, from guidance and therapy. They, and those close to them, often suffer from their condition, to some degree. But like any personality disorder, there's a spectrum from mild to severe, and on the mild side of the line, at the limit, it's not a personality disorder, it's a personality. None of which has anything to do with autism proper, which is, even in the mildest forms, a severe and lifelong disability. Many who suffer from it will require lifelong personal care, they pose a physical threat to themselves and others, and/or will never be able to master basic life skills (along the lines of wiping your bum or tying shoelaces) which preclude independent living. [0]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8717043/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8717043/ [1]: having a personality disorder isn't a shameful thing, it isn't an insult, and if this characterization upset you, I apologize for that.