Blind as a bat...

A 7 year old neighbor boy has a crush on my almost 12 year old daughter. I think it's cute... the nearly 12 year old, while flattered, just sighs-- and says that he is 'just too young for me'. Unfortunately, the child has been diagnosed as "autistic" when I don't believe he is. I know that sounds judgemental of me.... but I've spent sometime with him, and the only thing I can tell after all these months is that he is a pro at manipulating his parents. I have 2 cousins whom are autistic. My 1st counselor has an autistic son. This doesn't make me a pro... but I feel as tho I do have SOME idea of what autism entails. This seems to be a trend these days--- Parents having their children diagnosed with some label to justify why they behave so badly. I hate that. I hate it more than just about any other parental blunder. I'm no expert... I don't pretend to have all the answers. I'm the first to admit that my children make mistakes and I make mistakes in raising them. But I will NEVER make an excuse for their behavior, just to clear myself or make it seem they can't help it. The trend is getting worse.... and it makes me scared for our future.