This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Re "Are increases in autism rates in Utah, U.S. truly real?" (Tribune, April 30):
It doesn't make sense to me that a child who exhibits many, but not enough, traits of autism or Asperger's syndrome can't qualify for learning assistance.
Learning disabilities run the full spectrum from mild to extreme. But learning disabilities are still learning disabilities, and with early diagnosis, treatment and behavior modification, what was once a very difficult and frustrating path for children, parents and educators can many times be made tolerable or corrected to some degree.
Sometimes our scientists think too much in black and white, yes or no. Kids with mild to moderate learning disabilities (including dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) often fall through the cracks of our education system completely. With the right assistance early on, everybody wins.
Beth Chardack
Salt Lake City