Autism Priorities and the DSM V: Media Ignores Invisible, Severely Autistic in DSM V Discussions

The invisible autistics, the severely autistic, those with Autistic Disorder, profound developmental delays, cognitive and intellectual deficits, those who can not live independently, who live on hospital wards and in large, antiquated psychiatric institutions do not make regular appearances in the New York Times and its junior Canadian cousin the Globe and Mail. Nor do they appear regularly on the various CBC television and radio shows that have fawned over Michelle Dawson, Amanda Baggs and more recently Ari Ne'eman.

In the big, mainstream media discussions, and opinions about the proposed changes to the developmental disorders section in the DSM V nothing has changed. Ari Ne'eman and other barely autistic, very high functioning persons with Asperger's Disorder continue to receive all the considered attention of the big media while the severely autistic remain, as always, invisible. There is scant mention in any of the mainstream media commentaries of those whose lives are most severely restricted by autism disorders. The Globe and Mail breathes hot air about "a culturally rich autism" while ignoring those severely autistic persons living in institutional care throughout Canada.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

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