Denying Health Care to Autistic Is Nothing New

From Age of Autism's Kim Stagliano.

Traditional and social media are abuzz with a story of a Pennsylvania man with autism who has been denied a heart transplant at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania over his "psychiatric condition" and "autism."  His mother, Karen Corby, is rightfully outraged that her son's life has been judged and fallen short of the "criteria" for life.
In thinking about the story, it occurred to me that while denial of a heart transplant is cut and dried no bones about it refusal to give medical care to a sick American - it's only the ugly publicized tip of a dirty and monstrous iceberg under the surface of healthcare for people with autism.

Researchers Tie Low Birth Weight to Autism

PHILADELPHIA -- Autism is far more common in low-birth-weight babies than the general population, researchers are reporting Monday, a significant finding that nevertheless raises more questions than it answers and illustrates how little is known about a group of disorders that affect nearly 1 percent of American children.
The study found that 5 percent of newborns weighing less than 4 pounds, 7 ounces were later diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, as were nearly 11 percent of a subgroup born below 3 pounds, 5 ounces.