Loaded question: MERLD and autism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From Wrights Law: Speech or language impairment. Disability category under IDEA; includes communication disorders, language impairments, voice impairments that adversely educational performance. - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.sped.legal.htm#sthash.tJ3gdCIv.dpuf

From the Dept. of Ed
"Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%252E8,

MERLD was never a language impairment when it existed in the DSM. Your kids have communication disorders and you don't even know it. Ignorance is bliss.

Doesn't that Dept of Ed quote say a language impairment is a communication disorder such as a language impairment that adversely affects educational performance? Not very helpful. As language is a major way of communicating it is not surprising that a language impairment could be viewed as a communication disorder. And the old MERLD was definitely a language disorder.

The IEP language impairment means physical impairment or communication disorder. Language disorders are separate and not captured by the handful of IEP designations. Because some people got IEPs under "Language" doesn't mean their kid isn't autistic. That may be the case, but it's pathetic that they don't even understand the IEP labels.

What's obvious is that they're so relieved and/or self-congratulatory that it wasn't "autism." BFD. My kid has a communication disorder and isn't autistic. I'm am sick to death of the evident prejudice. Autism isn't an insult.

Parents should be sticking together to advocate for qualified SLPs in the public school--not just squawking about how their kid isn't autistic and it's so different. It's really not. Let's hold the public schools accountable for not providing services and not using evidence based reading programs for a start.

I ... don't even understand what you are saying. Are you making some distinction between language and communication disorders?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From Wrights Law: Speech or language impairment. Disability category under IDEA; includes communication disorders, language impairments, voice impairments that adversely educational performance. - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.sped.legal.htm#sthash.tJ3gdCIv.dpuf

From the Dept. of Ed
"Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%252E8,

MERLD was never a language impairment when it existed in the DSM. Your kids have communication disorders and you don't even know it. Ignorance is bliss.

Doesn't that Dept of Ed quote say a language impairment is a communication disorder such as a language impairment that adversely affects educational performance? Not very helpful. As language is a major way of communicating it is not surprising that a language impairment could be viewed as a communication disorder. And the old MERLD was definitely a language disorder.

The IEP language impairment means physical impairment or communication disorder. Language disorders are separate and not captured by the handful of IEP designations. Because some people got IEPs under "Language" doesn't mean their kid isn't autistic. That may be the case, but it's pathetic that they don't even understand the IEP labels.

What's obvious is that they're so relieved and/or self-congratulatory that it wasn't "autism." BFD. My kid has a communication disorder and isn't autistic. I'm am sick to death of the evident prejudice. Autism isn't an insult.

Parents should be sticking together to advocate for qualified SLPs in the public school--not just squawking about how their kid isn't autistic and it's so different. It's really not. Let's hold the public schools accountable for not providing services and not using evidence based reading programs for a start.

What are you babbling about? Stop embarrassing yourself. You are simply wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From Wrights Law: Speech or language impairment. Disability category under IDEA; includes communication disorders, language impairments, voice impairments that adversely educational performance. - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.sped.legal.htm#sthash.tJ3gdCIv.dpuf

From the Dept. of Ed
"Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%252E8,

MERLD was never a language impairment when it existed in the DSM. Your kids have communication disorders and you don't even know it. Ignorance is bliss.

Doesn't that Dept of Ed quote say a language impairment is a communication disorder such as a language impairment that adversely affects educational performance? Not very helpful. As language is a major way of communicating it is not surprising that a language impairment could be viewed as a communication disorder. And the old MERLD was definitely a language disorder.

The IEP language impairment means physical impairment or communication disorder. Language disorders are separate and not captured by the handful of IEP designations. Because some people got IEPs under "Language" doesn't mean their kid isn't autistic. That may be the case, but it's pathetic that they don't even understand the IEP labels.

What's obvious is that they're so relieved and/or self-congratulatory that it wasn't "autism." BFD. My kid has a communication disorder and isn't autistic. I'm am sick to death of the evident prejudice. Autism isn't an insult.

Parents should be sticking together to advocate for qualified SLPs in the public school--not just squawking about how their kid isn't autistic and it's so different. It's really not. Let's hold the public schools accountable for not providing services and not using evidence based reading programs for a start.

I ... don't even understand what you are saying. Are you making some distinction between language and communication disorders?

I think they are trying to say that under the DSM language disorders come under communication disorders. They are then stretching it to say that language disorders and autism both are communication disorders so they are basically the same so no need to separate them. They don't feel kids need accurate diagnosis as all the treatment is the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, Camarata published the "Late-Talking Children" book in 2014 (as was the interview) and republished it in 2015. It's not that recent and nothing new, it's just based on all his prior research b/f DSM V changes in 2013.

It's also bizarre your obsession on treating language disorder when Camarata talks about clinicians conducting a “confirmatory” diagnosis. As a parent if you're just looking to SLPs to confirm a language disorder--guess what, that's what you'll find. SLPs are not qualified to diagnose autism without specialized training: http://blog.asha.org/2014/04/10/can-speech-language-pathologists-diagnose-autism/

We all know that most children with autism are late talkers and most late talkers don't have autism. We also know that the numbers of children with the autism "label" is artificially inflated by IEP designations.

The OP's child is just 3, stop trying to "help" her by ramming your obvious skew that it's not autism. Come back and rant all you want about language disorders when your child has actually a had a neuropscyh evaluation. At 3, her developmental pediatrician was being conservative and not over zealous with a diagnosis. What her child's diagnosis will be in a few years will be anyone's guess.

However, it doesn't matter if it's a language disorder or autism (btw, kids with autism can have language disorders too), her kid sounds in need of practical help.

OP's child is not 3. She said the 3 year testing is coming up to rule on special education eligibility, so more around 5 or 6. Meaning the Developmental Pediatrician's diagnosis will most likely stand as the child would have been past the age where ASD is readily indentified.

OP, what we did in this case was allow for everything but the ASD evaluation. So language and academic testing was done, and our language impaired child qualified under the speech and language category -- which meant he was able to get speech, OT, and resource room.

Why would you refuse the ASD evaluation? I can understand refusing a school district ASD evaluation (or any evaluation) if you doubt their competence or think that they're trying to shirk language supports with the ASD label. But why wouldn't you have your own dev ped do one if there was any cause for concern?

Because we already had it done -- 3 times.

Apparently you need to do it 4 times, maybe more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From Wrights Law: Speech or language impairment. Disability category under IDEA; includes communication disorders, language impairments, voice impairments that adversely educational performance. - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.sped.legal.htm#sthash.tJ3gdCIv.dpuf

From the Dept. of Ed
"Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%252E8,

MERLD was never a language impairment when it existed in the DSM. Your kids have communication disorders and you don't even know it. Ignorance is bliss.

Doesn't that Dept of Ed quote say a language impairment is a communication disorder such as a language impairment that adversely affects educational performance? Not very helpful. As language is a major way of communicating it is not surprising that a language impairment could be viewed as a communication disorder. And the old MERLD was definitely a language disorder.

The IEP language impairment means physical impairment or communication disorder. Language disorders are separate and not captured by the handful of IEP designations. Because some people got IEPs under "Language" doesn't mean their kid isn't autistic. That may be the case, but it's pathetic that they don't even understand the IEP labels.

What's obvious is that they're so relieved and/or self-congratulatory that it wasn't "autism." BFD. My kid has a communication disorder and isn't autistic. I'm am sick to death of the evident prejudice. Autism isn't an insult.

Parents should be sticking together to advocate for qualified SLPs in the public school--not just squawking about how their kid isn't autistic and it's so different. It's really not. Let's hold the public schools accountable for not providing services and not using evidence based reading programs for a start.

I ... don't even understand what you are saying. Are you making some distinction between language and communication disorders?

I think they are trying to say that under the DSM language disorders come under communication disorders. They are then stretching it to say that language disorders and autism both are communication disorders so they are basically the same so no need to separate them. They don't feel kids need accurate diagnosis as all the treatment is the same.

No they're don't. Do you think law makers had the DSM in hand when writing the law? Nope. If you look at the categories they are very rudimentary b/c it reflected legislators' basic knowledge 40 years ago.

Truly kids can have identical IEPs in terms of support only one is called language impairment and the other autism. Oh, but it's so different. BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From Wrights Law: Speech or language impairment. Disability category under IDEA; includes communication disorders, language impairments, voice impairments that adversely educational performance. - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.sped.legal.htm#sthash.tJ3gdCIv.dpuf

From the Dept. of Ed
"Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%252E8,

MERLD was never a language impairment when it existed in the DSM. Your kids have communication disorders and you don't even know it. Ignorance is bliss.

Doesn't that Dept of Ed quote say a language impairment is a communication disorder such as a language impairment that adversely affects educational performance? Not very helpful. As language is a major way of communicating it is not surprising that a language impairment could be viewed as a communication disorder. And the old MERLD was definitely a language disorder.

The IEP language impairment means physical impairment or communication disorder. Language disorders are separate and not captured by the handful of IEP designations. Because some people got IEPs under "Language" doesn't mean their kid isn't autistic. That may be the case, but it's pathetic that they don't even understand the IEP labels.

What's obvious is that they're so relieved and/or self-congratulatory that it wasn't "autism." BFD. My kid has a communication disorder and isn't autistic. I'm am sick to death of the evident prejudice. Autism isn't an insult.

Parents should be sticking together to advocate for qualified SLPs in the public school--not just squawking about how their kid isn't autistic and it's so different. It's really not. Let's hold the public schools accountable for not providing services and not using evidence based reading programs for a start.

I ... don't even understand what you are saying. Are you making some distinction between language and communication disorders?

I think they are trying to say that under the DSM language disorders come under communication disorders. They are then stretching it to say that language disorders and autism both are communication disorders so they are basically the same so no need to separate them. They don't feel kids need accurate diagnosis as all the treatment is the same.

No they're not. Do you think law makers had the DSM in hand when writing the law? Nope. If you look at the categories they are very rudimentary b/c it reflected legislators' basic knowledge 40 years ago.

Truly kids can have identical IEPs in terms of support only one is called language impairment and the other autism. Oh, but it's so different. BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From Wrights Law: Speech or language impairment. Disability category under IDEA; includes communication disorders, language impairments, voice impairments that adversely educational performance. - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.sped.legal.htm#sthash.tJ3gdCIv.dpuf

From the Dept. of Ed
"Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%252E8,

MERLD was never a language impairment when it existed in the DSM. Your kids have communication disorders and you don't even know it. Ignorance is bliss.

Doesn't that Dept of Ed quote say a language impairment is a communication disorder such as a language impairment that adversely affects educational performance? Not very helpful. As language is a major way of communicating it is not surprising that a language impairment could be viewed as a communication disorder. And the old MERLD was definitely a language disorder.

The IEP language impairment means physical impairment or communication disorder. Language disorders are separate and not captured by the handful of IEP designations. Because some people got IEPs under "Language" doesn't mean their kid isn't autistic. That may be the case, but it's pathetic that they don't even understand the IEP labels.

What's obvious is that they're so relieved and/or self-congratulatory that it wasn't "autism." BFD. My kid has a communication disorder and isn't autistic. I'm am sick to death of the evident prejudice. Autism isn't an insult.

Parents should be sticking together to advocate for qualified SLPs in the public school--not just squawking about how their kid isn't autistic and it's so different. It's really not. Let's hold the public schools accountable for not providing services and not using evidence based reading programs for a start.

I ... don't even understand what you are saying. Are you making some distinction between language and communication disorders?

I think they are trying to say that under the DSM language disorders come under communication disorders. They are then stretching it to say that language disorders and autism both are communication disorders so they are basically the same so no need to separate them. They don't feel kids need accurate diagnosis as all the treatment is the same.

No they're don't. Do you think law makers had the DSM in hand when writing the law? Nope. If you look at the categories they are very rudimentary b/c it reflected legislators' basic knowledge 40 years ago.

Truly kids can have identical IEPs in terms of support only one is called language impairment and the other autism. Oh, but it's so different. BS.

There is no one size fits all with these kids. The needs of a child with autism may be very different than one with a language impairment. A child with a language impairment may have receptive, expressive or articulation issues but no pragmatic speech issues. A child with autism may only have pragmatic speech issues. Either child may have other learning or mental health or physical disabilities or a child may only have one diagnosis. The kids I know with autism have very different IEP's. You keep wanting to intermix the two, but then why is a language impairment a separate category than autism? Why do many kids with autism talk by 2-3, while many language kids don't talk till much later? Are you trying to say a child who doesn't talk till age 4 is the same as a child who talks at age 2 and their needs are exactly the same? Children with MERLD may have social issues but many do not. Autism is generally characterized by social interactions. That is not necessarily the case for language imparements.

[Anonymous]

Ok, so here is where I think a reasonable take on this thread is:

1) Language disorders/delays are a real thing
2) Language disorders/delay can be a symptom of ASDs
3) Language disorders/delay can be confused with ASD by lay people
4) It is prudent to assess a child with language delays for ASD to fully rule it out since the symptoms can overlap
5) A competent assessment for ASD where a language disorder/delay might be suspected would include standardize instruments administered by a trained professional (eg ADOS) plus a multidisciplinary clinical team (eg SLP, psychologist or dev ped)
5) The supports a child with a language disorder/delay needs are likely different from the supports a child with ASD may need, although they may also overlap

Does anyone disagree with this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From Wrights Law: Speech or language impairment. Disability category under IDEA; includes communication disorders, language impairments, voice impairments that adversely educational performance. - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.sped.legal.htm#sthash.tJ3gdCIv.dpuf

From the Dept. of Ed
"Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%252E8,

MERLD was never a language impairment when it existed in the DSM. Your kids have communication disorders and you don't even know it. Ignorance is bliss.

Doesn't that Dept of Ed quote say a language impairment is a communication disorder such as a language impairment that adversely affects educational performance? Not very helpful. As language is a major way of communicating it is not surprising that a language impairment could be viewed as a communication disorder. And the old MERLD was definitely a language disorder.

The IEP language impairment means physical impairment or communication disorder. Language disorders are separate and not captured by the handful of IEP designations. Because some people got IEPs under "Language" doesn't mean their kid isn't autistic. That may be the case, but it's pathetic that they don't even understand the IEP labels.

What's obvious is that they're so relieved and/or self-congratulatory that it wasn't "autism." BFD. My kid has a communication disorder and isn't autistic. I'm am sick to death of the evident prejudice. Autism isn't an insult.

Parents should be sticking together to advocate for qualified SLPs in the public school--not just squawking about how their kid isn't autistic and it's so different. It's really not. Let's hold the public schools accountable for not providing services and not using evidence based reading programs for a start.

I ... don't even understand what you are saying. Are you making some distinction between language and communication disorders?

I think they are trying to say that under the DSM language disorders come under communication disorders. They are then stretching it to say that language disorders and autism both are communication disorders so they are basically the same so no need to separate them. They don't feel kids need accurate diagnosis as all the treatment is the same.

No they're don't. Do you think law makers had the DSM in hand when writing the law? Nope. If you look at the categories they are very rudimentary b/c it reflected legislators' basic knowledge 40 years ago.

Truly kids can have identical IEPs in terms of support only one is called language impairment and the other autism. Oh, but it's so different. BS.

There is no one size fits all with these kids. The needs of a child with autism may be very different than one with a language impairment. A child with a language impairment may have receptive, expressive or articulation issues but no pragmatic speech issues. A child with autism may only have pragmatic speech issues. Either child may have other learning or mental health or physical disabilities or a child may only have one diagnosis. The kids I know with autism have very different IEP's. You keep wanting to intermix the two, but then why is a language impairment a separate category than autism? Why do many kids with autism talk by 2-3, while many language kids don't talk till much later? Are you trying to say a child who doesn't talk till age 4 is the same as a child who talks at age 2 and their needs are exactly the same? Children with MERLD may have social issues but many do not. Autism is generally characterized by social interactions. That is not necessarily the case for language imparements.

Yes, receptive language impairment is a processing disorder, while autism at its heart is a social communication disorder.

I have an online friend I met on a chat board and we connected because our boys started off so similarly. Lack of language, stubbornness, poor behaviors, lack of eye contact, etc. Even comments from strangers were similar, as were our dealings with our school districts. We are in different parts of the country and her evaluations continually turned about an autism diagnosis (or suspected ASD) while ours turned up with language delay/disorder and possible cognitive delays.

Both of us ended up seeing the Camaratas about a year apart. Her DS's diagnosis from them was autism, my child's was MERLD. Today they are teens, and their presentations are quite different. His language is caught up and he's very verbal, but his behavior and dealings with other people hold him back at home and school. My son's language still lags and academics are hard, but his strength is building relationships with people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From Wrights Law: Speech or language impairment. Disability category under IDEA; includes communication disorders, language impairments, voice impairments that adversely educational performance. - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.sped.legal.htm#sthash.tJ3gdCIv.dpuf

From the Dept. of Ed
"Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%252E8,

MERLD was never a language impairment when it existed in the DSM. Your kids have communication disorders and you don't even know it. Ignorance is bliss.

Doesn't that Dept of Ed quote say a language impairment is a communication disorder such as a language impairment that adversely affects educational performance? Not very helpful. As language is a major way of communicating it is not surprising that a language impairment could be viewed as a communication disorder. And the old MERLD was definitely a language disorder.

The IEP language impairment means physical impairment or communication disorder. Language disorders are separate and not captured by the handful of IEP designations. Because some people got IEPs under "Language" doesn't mean their kid isn't autistic. That may be the case, but it's pathetic that they don't even understand the IEP labels.

What's obvious is that they're so relieved and/or self-congratulatory that it wasn't "autism." BFD. My kid has a communication disorder and isn't autistic. I'm am sick to death of the evident prejudice. Autism isn't an insult.

Parents should be sticking together to advocate for qualified SLPs in the public school--not just squawking about how their kid isn't autistic and it's so different. It's really not. Let's hold the public schools accountable for not providing services and not using evidence based reading programs for a start.

I ... don't even understand what you are saying. Are you making some distinction between language and communication disorders?

I think they are trying to say that under the DSM language disorders come under communication disorders. They are then stretching it to say that language disorders and autism both are communication disorders so they are basically the same so no need to separate them. They don't feel kids need accurate diagnosis as all the treatment is the same.

No they're don't. Do you think law makers had the DSM in hand when writing the law? Nope. If you look at the categories they are very rudimentary b/c it reflected legislators' basic knowledge 40 years ago.

Truly kids can have identical IEPs in terms of support only one is called language impairment and the other autism. Oh, but it's so different. BS.

There is no one size fits all with these kids. The needs of a child with autism may be very different than one with a language impairment. A child with a language impairment may have receptive, expressive or articulation issues but no pragmatic speech issues. A child with autism may only have pragmatic speech issues. Either child may have other learning or mental health or physical disabilities or a child may only have one diagnosis. The kids I know with autism have very different IEP's. You keep wanting to intermix the two, but then why is a language impairment a separate category than autism? Why do many kids with autism talk by 2-3, while many language kids don't talk till much later? Are you trying to say a child who doesn't talk till age 4 is the same as a child who talks at age 2 and their needs are exactly the same? Children with MERLD may have social issues but many do not. Autism is generally characterized by social interactions. That is not necessarily the case for language imparements.

Yes, receptive language impairment is a processing disorder, while autism at its heart is a social communication disorder.

I have an online friend I met on a chat board and we connected because our boys started off so similarly. Lack of language, stubbornness, poor behaviors, lack of eye contact, etc. Even comments from strangers were similar, as were our dealings with our school districts. We are in different parts of the country and her evaluations continually turned about an autism diagnosis (or suspected ASD) while ours turned up with language delay/disorder and possible cognitive delays.

Both of us ended up seeing the Camaratas about a year apart. Her DS's diagnosis from them was autism, my child's was MERLD. Today they are teens, and their presentations are quite different. His language is caught up and he's very verbal, but his behavior and dealings with other people hold him back at home and school. My son's language still lags and academics are hard, but his strength is building relationships with people.

Get your money back from Camarata. There's no such thing as a "receptive language impairment disorder." Stop making up diagnoses to fit your facts: http://blog.asha.org/2013/06/18/yes-dsm-5-changes-up-communication-disorder-categories-what-you-need-to-know/

Again, it doesn't matter if your kid's social impairments stem from a language disorder or autism or ADHD for that matter At the end of the day, the treatments are the same. Ask your SLPs.

I also really doubt the other PP has read start to finish a child's IEP if it were not their own. What you and other parents have a coffee klatch and trade around IEPs.

Do you really think the public schools really tailor IEPs all that much for kids in mainstream classrooms whether they have autism or language disorders? Seriously? If so, I have a bridge to sell you.

[Anonymous]

What are you talking about? Receptive language is part of language disorders. Therapies are not the same and should not be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From Wrights Law: Speech or language impairment. Disability category under IDEA; includes communication disorders, language impairments, voice impairments that adversely educational performance. - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.sped.legal.htm#sthash.tJ3gdCIv.dpuf

From the Dept. of Ed
"Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%252E8,

MERLD was never a language impairment when it existed in the DSM. Your kids have communication disorders and you don't even know it. Ignorance is bliss.

Doesn't that Dept of Ed quote say a language impairment is a communication disorder such as a language impairment that adversely affects educational performance? Not very helpful. As language is a major way of communicating it is not surprising that a language impairment could be viewed as a communication disorder. And the old MERLD was definitely a language disorder.

The IEP language impairment means physical impairment or communication disorder. Language disorders are separate and not captured by the handful of IEP designations. Because some people got IEPs under "Language" doesn't mean their kid isn't autistic. That may be the case, but it's pathetic that they don't even understand the IEP labels.

What's obvious is that they're so relieved and/or self-congratulatory that it wasn't "autism." BFD. My kid has a communication disorder and isn't autistic. I'm am sick to death of the evident prejudice. Autism isn't an insult.

Parents should be sticking together to advocate for qualified SLPs in the public school--not just squawking about how their kid isn't autistic and it's so different. It's really not. Let's hold the public schools accountable for not providing services and not using evidence based reading programs for a start.

I ... don't even understand what you are saying. Are you making some distinction between language and communication disorders?

I think they are trying to say that under the DSM language disorders come under communication disorders. They are then stretching it to say that language disorders and autism both are communication disorders so they are basically the same so no need to separate them. They don't feel kids need accurate diagnosis as all the treatment is the same.

No they're don't. Do you think law makers had the DSM in hand when writing the law? Nope. If you look at the categories they are very rudimentary b/c it reflected legislators' basic knowledge 40 years ago.

Truly kids can have identical IEPs in terms of support only one is called language impairment and the other autism. Oh, but it's so different. BS.

There is no one size fits all with these kids. The needs of a child with autism may be very different than one with a language impairment. A child with a language impairment may have receptive, expressive or articulation issues but no pragmatic speech issues. A child with autism may only have pragmatic speech issues. Either child may have other learning or mental health or physical disabilities or a child may only have one diagnosis. The kids I know with autism have very different IEP's. You keep wanting to intermix the two, but then why is a language impairment a separate category than autism? Why do many kids with autism talk by 2-3, while many language kids don't talk till much later? Are you trying to say a child who doesn't talk till age 4 is the same as a child who talks at age 2 and their needs are exactly the same? Children with MERLD may have social issues but many do not. Autism is generally characterized by social interactions. That is not necessarily the case for language imparements.

Yes, receptive language impairment is a processing disorder, while autism at its heart is a social communication disorder.

I have an online friend I met on a chat board and we connected because our boys started off so similarly. Lack of language, stubbornness, poor behaviors, lack of eye contact, etc. Even comments from strangers were similar, as were our dealings with our school districts. We are in different parts of the country and her evaluations continually turned about an autism diagnosis (or suspected ASD) while ours turned up with language delay/disorder and possible cognitive delays.

Both of us ended up seeing the Camaratas about a year apart. Her DS's diagnosis from them was autism, my child's was MERLD. Today they are teens, and their presentations are quite different. His language is caught up and he's very verbal, but his behavior and dealings with other people hold him back at home and school. My son's language still lags and academics are hard, but his strength is building relationships with people.

Get your money back from Camarata. There's no such thing as a "receptive language impairment disorder." Stop making up diagnoses to fit your facts: http://blog.asha.org/2013/06/18/yes-dsm-5-changes-up-communication-disorder-categories-what-you-need-to-know/

Again, it doesn't matter if your kid's social impairments stem from a language disorder or autism or ADHD for that matter At the end of the day, the treatments are the same. Ask your SLPs.

I also really doubt the other PP has read start to finish a child's IEP if it were not their own. What you and other parents have a coffee klatch and trade around IEPs.

Do you really think the public schools really tailor IEPs all that much for kids in mainstream classrooms whether they have autism or language disorders? Seriously? If so, I have a bridge to sell you.

What on earth is wrong with you?

Receptive language impairment isn't his diagnosis (hence the lowercase) but it is my child's core deficit.