Re: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

[Guest guest]

FYI, for whatever reason, DHS requires applicants for medicaid waiver funding

who have autism to submit an evaluation from a psychiatrist, not a psychologist,

finding that they have autism.

From: ELLEN BRONFELD

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:44 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

I don't think autism is a mental illness...kind of strange that NAMI thinks

so...I don't think most professionals would agree, including those who wrote the

latest diagnostic manual.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

mailto:egskb%40sbcglobal.net

[Guest guest]

Is there a doctor in the house? Isn’t this one of those ‘symantics’

situations? Our kids were diagnosed according to criteria found in the DSM-IV,

after all...which stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual OF MENTAL

DISORDERS. Published by the American Psychiatric Association. Also, from my

time on the ADA Disability Commission, I know that the ADA law separates

‘mental’ from ‘physical’ disabilities. And ‘mental’ covers a huge

territory of diagnoses, including ours.

NAMI, I suspect, has their reasons for trying to make this association. Funny,

because years ago there was a group of us who became aware of a NAMI/WDSRA joint

social program called something like Do Drop In, it was a Friday night social

time, and didn’t specifically say it was for a certain diagnosis. Then, when

several local people on the PDD/Autism spectrum wanted to join, they were told

NO because ‘Do Drop In was JUST FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES not for peeps

with DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES’.

Interesting, huh?

L.

From: ELLEN BRONFELD

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:44 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

I don't think autism is a mental illness...kind of strange that NAMI thinks

so...I don't think most professionals would agree, including those who wrote the

latest diagnostic manual.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

mailto:egskb%40sbcglobal.net

[Guest guest]

I wasn’t going to post but I felt that I should. I have had some experience

with NAMI and believe it to be a very good organization. They do not try to

label individuals. They try to assist families to understand why a family

member behaves differently. By labeling Autism as a mental illness and having

it recognized as such, it should make it easier to get the benefits that these

individuals need. Trust me, having someone in a household labeled with a mental

illness is not pleasant but their organization helps others who are concerned

understand and better able to help the individual and themselves.

From: Jerue Family

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 5:22 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

Is there a doctor in the house? Isn’t this one of those ‘symantics’

situations? Our kids were diagnosed according to criteria found in the DSM-IV,

after all...which stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual OF MENTAL

DISORDERS. Published by the American Psychiatric Association. Also, from my time

on the ADA Disability Commission, I know that the ADA law separates ‘mental’

from ‘physical’ disabilities. And ‘mental’ covers a huge territory of

diagnoses, including ours.

NAMI, I suspect, has their reasons for trying to make this association. Funny,

because years ago there was a group of us who became aware of a NAMI/WDSRA joint

social program called something like Do Drop In, it was a Friday night social

time, and didn’t specifically say it was for a certain diagnosis. Then, when

several local people on the PDD/Autism spectrum wanted to join, they were told

NO because ‘Do Drop In was JUST FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES not for peeps

with DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES’.

Interesting, huh?

L.

From: ELLEN BRONFELD

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:44 PM

mailto:IPADDUnite%40

Subject: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

I don't think autism is a mental illness...kind of strange that NAMI thinks

so...I don't think most professionals would agree, including those who wrote the

latest diagnostic manual.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

mailto:egskb%40sbcglobal.net

[Guest guest]

You’re right, , and I didn’t mean to denigrate NAMI. They do some

excellent work. The labels are like shifting sands, and it’s hard for many of

us to keep up on what are the latest ones! I should have also mentioned there

are many folks who prefer not to label their child as DD – or prefer no labels

at all!

Sorry. I didn’t mean to start a labels ‘war’ or ruffle feathers about

NAMI. Apologies if it seemed that way to anyone.

L.

From: Colombo

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 5:50 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

I wasn’t going to post but I felt that I should. I have had some experience

with NAMI and believe it to be a very good organization. They do not try to

label individuals. They try to assist families to understand why a family member

behaves differently. By labeling Autism as a mental illness and having it

recognized as such, it should make it easier to get the benefits that these

individuals need. Trust me, having someone in a household labeled with a mental

illness is not pleasant but their organization helps others who are concerned

understand and better able to help the individual and themselves.

From: Jerue Family

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 5:22 PM

mailto:IPADDUnite%40

Subject: Re: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

Is there a doctor in the house? Isn’t this one of those ‘symantics’

situations? Our kids were diagnosed according to criteria found in the DSM-IV,

after all...which stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual OF MENTAL

DISORDERS. Published by the American Psychiatric Association. Also, from my time

on the ADA Disability Commission, I know that the ADA law separates ‘mental’

from ‘physical’ disabilities. And ‘mental’ covers a huge territory of

diagnoses, including ours.

NAMI, I suspect, has their reasons for trying to make this association. Funny,

because years ago there was a group of us who became aware of a NAMI/WDSRA joint

social program called something like Do Drop In, it was a Friday night social

time, and didn’t specifically say it was for a certain diagnosis. Then, when

several local people on the PDD/Autism spectrum wanted to join, they were told

NO because ‘Do Drop In was JUST FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES not for peeps

with DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES’.

Interesting, huh?

L.

From: ELLEN BRONFELD

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:44 PM

mailto:IPADDUnite%40

Subject: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

I don't think autism is a mental illness...kind of strange that NAMI thinks

so...I don't think most professionals would agree, including those who wrote the

latest diagnostic manual.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

mailto:egskb%40sbcglobal.net

[Guest guest]

NAMI does fine work.  However, I question why they are 1--covering autism, and

2--not any other developmental disability.

My general vibe is that NAMI advocates to the general public to have tolerance

and give a chance to those with mental illness, and provides support for family

members.

I had never heard of them mentioned in the disability community as a resource

for family members of those with DD.

At least the info they provide on autism spectrum is pretty good:

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Helpline1 & Template=/ContentManagement/C\

ontentDisplay.cfm & ContentID=65961

But as I delve into their website further, the resources they offer (Basics

Education Program for families is a good example) do not mention autism.  They

offer brochures, books, and program materials--but none on autism.  My cursory

pass through an online version of their magazine suggests that when they discuss

kids and schools, they don't mention autism, but focus on mental health

services, with a few nods to ADHD.

If tomorrow, someone you knew said their young child was dx'ed with autism and

wanted advice/support, would you refer them to NAMI?  ASA?  ARC? 

-Gail

________________________________

From: Colombo <marleney2@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 5:50 PM

Subject: Re: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

 

I wasn’t going to post but I felt that I should. I have had some experience

with NAMI and believe it to be a very good organization. They do not try to

label individuals. They try to assist families to understand why a family

member behaves differently. By labeling Autism as a mental illness and having

it recognized as such, it should make it easier to get the benefits that these

individuals need. Trust me, having someone in a household labeled with a mental

illness is not pleasant but their organization helps others who are concerned

understand and better able to help the individual and themselves.

From: Jerue Family

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 5:22 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

Is there a doctor in the house? Isn’t this one of those ‘symantics’

situations? Our kids were diagnosed according to criteria found in the DSM-IV,

after all...which stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual OF MENTAL

DISORDERS. Published by the American Psychiatric Association. Also, from my time

on the ADA Disability Commission, I know that the ADA law separates ‘mental’

from ‘physical’ disabilities. And ‘mental’ covers a huge territory of

diagnoses, including ours.

NAMI, I suspect, has their reasons for trying to make this association. Funny,

because years ago there was a group of us who became aware of a NAMI/WDSRA joint

social program called something like Do Drop In, it was a Friday night social

time, and didn’t specifically say it was for a certain diagnosis. Then, when

several local people on the PDD/Autism spectrum wanted to join, they were told

NO because ‘Do Drop In was JUST FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES not for peeps

with DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES’.

Interesting, huh?

L.

From: ELLEN BRONFELD

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:44 PM

mailto:IPADDUnite%40

Subject: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

I don't think autism is a mental illness...kind of strange that NAMI thinks

so...I don't think most professionals would agree, including those who wrote the

latest diagnostic manual.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

mailto:egskb%40sbcglobal.net

[Guest guest]

I can tell you that there is quite a bit of confusion within DHS about this.

I’m not so surprised that NAMI talks about autism, although I would agree with

Gail that the DD organizations are much better resources for people with autism

than NAMI. DHS certainly considers autism a developmental disability, yet the

DSM-IV, which is DHS’s bible, now categorizes autism in Axis I, not II. See

below (from wikipedia):

Multi-axial system

The DSM-IV organizes each psychiatric diagnosis into five dimensions (axes)

relating to different aspects of disorder or disability:

a.. Axis I: Clinical disorders, including major mental disorders, and learning

disorders, Substance Use Disorders

b.. Axis II: Personality disorders and intellectual disabilities (although

developmental disorders, such as Autism, were coded on Axis II in the previous

edition, these disorders are now included on Axis I)

c.. Axis III: Acute medical conditions and physical disorders

d.. Axis IV: Psychosocial and environmental factors contributing to the

disorder

e.. Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning or Children's Global Assessment

Scale for children and teens under the age of 18

Common Axis I disorders include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder,

ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and

schizophrenia.

Common Axis II disorders include personality disorders: paranoid personality

disorder, schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder,

borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic

personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, avoidant personality

disorder, dependent personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality

disorder; and intellectual disabilities.

Common Axis III disorders include brain injuries and other medical/physical

disorders which may aggravate existing diseases or present symptoms similar to

other disorders.

From: E. McManus

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 4:14 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

FYI, for whatever reason, DHS requires applicants for medicaid waiver funding

who have autism to submit an evaluation from a psychiatrist, not a psychologist,

finding that they have autism.

From: ELLEN BRONFELD

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:44 PM

mailto:IPADDUnite%40

Subject: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

I don't think autism is a mental illness...kind of strange that NAMI thinks

so...I don't think most professionals would agree, including those who wrote the

latest diagnostic manual.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

mailto:egskb%40sbcglobal.net

[Guest guest]

An interesting coda to the topic:  A local NAMI chapter (using the national

org's model press release) observes Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct 2-8.  It

does not mention autism.

http://wheaton.patch.com/articles/nami-dupage-observes-mental-illness-awareness-\

week

" Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) takes place October 2-8 and is an

opportunity to learn more about serious mental illnesses such as major

depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.   Mental illnesses are

medical illnesses. "

-Gail

________________________________

From: G Mrozak <mrsovaltine@...>

" IPADDUnite " <IPADDUnite >

Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 10:32 AM

Subject: Re: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

 

NAMI does fine work.  However, I question why they are 1--covering autism, and

2--not any other developmental disability.

My general vibe is that NAMI advocates to the general public to have tolerance

and give a chance to those with mental illness, and provides support for family

members.

I had never heard of them mentioned in the disability community as a resource

for family members of those with DD.

At least the info they provide on autism spectrum is pretty good:

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Helpline1 & Template=/ContentManagement/C\

ontentDisplay.cfm & ContentID=65961

But as I delve into their website further, the resources they offer (Basics

Education Program for families is a good example) do not mention autism.  They

offer brochures, books, and program materials--but none on autism.  My cursory

pass through an online version of their magazine suggests that when they discuss

kids and schools, they don't mention autism, but focus on mental health

services, with a few nods to ADHD.

If tomorrow, someone you knew said their young child was dx'ed with autism and

wanted advice/support, would you refer them to NAMI?  ASA?  ARC? 

-Gail

________________________________

From: Colombo <marleney2@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 5:50 PM

Subject: Re: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

 

I wasn’t going to post but I felt that I should. I have had some experience

with NAMI and believe it to be a very good organization. They do not try to

label individuals. They try to assist families to understand why a family

member behaves differently. By labeling Autism as a mental illness and having

it recognized as such, it should make it easier to get the benefits that these

individuals need. Trust me, having someone in a household labeled with a mental

illness is not pleasant but their organization helps others who are concerned

understand and better able to help the individual and themselves.

From: Jerue Family

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 5:22 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

Is there a doctor in the house? Isn’t this one of those ‘symantics’

situations? Our kids were diagnosed according to criteria found in the DSM-IV,

after all...which stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual OF MENTAL

DISORDERS. Published by the American Psychiatric Association. Also, from my time

on the ADA Disability Commission, I know that the ADA law separates ‘mental’

from ‘physical’ disabilities. And ‘mental’ covers a huge territory of

diagnoses, including ours.

NAMI, I suspect, has their reasons for trying to make this association. Funny,

because years ago there was a group of us who became aware of a NAMI/WDSRA joint

social program called something like Do Drop In, it was a Friday night social

time, and didn’t specifically say it was for a certain diagnosis. Then, when

several local people on the PDD/Autism spectrum wanted to join, they were told

NO because ‘Do Drop In was JUST FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES not for peeps

with DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES’.

Interesting, huh?

L.

From: ELLEN BRONFELD

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:44 PM

mailto:IPADDUnite%40

Subject: Re: NAMI thinks autism is a mental illness?

I don't think autism is a mental illness...kind of strange that NAMI thinks

so...I don't think most professionals would agree, including those who wrote the

latest diagnostic manual.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

mailto:egskb%40sbcglobal.net