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Autism is not a mental illness (according to Dear Abby)

Posted on July 30, 2008

DEAR ABBY: I just finished reading your June 9 column and am shocked at what I read. Your response regarding autism was way off base. You said, Autism is a mental health disorder ... some people consider ... to be shameful. Autism is a neurological disorder, NOT a mental health disorder......DEAR MELISSA: My thanks to you -- and the many other readers -- who wrote to correct me..... autism is often considered a mental health disorder because it affects behavior, cognitive ability and social skills. However, it is genetically predetermined -- biologically based.Experts clearly agree that autis...

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autism , mental health , mental illness , schizophrenia