ASD is not solely about emotional withdrawal

I sincerely hope that you are able to publish a response to Dr Humphreys’s piece on ASD and Asperger’s in last Friday’s Feelgood.

Parents with children on the spectrum really have enough on their plate without being told that they do not love their children enough.

ASD becomes apparent in the majority at age 3-4, and children with multiple ‘normal’ siblings are afflicted with it just as only children are. To suggest that parenting varies from child to child within a family to such an extent that it can cause serious emotional withdrawal is simply ridiculous.

I am honestly speechless. ASD has innumerable facets, it is not solely about emotional withdrawal. I wish that it was.

Vanessa O’Loughlin

Co Wicklow