I didn't know that pretending to be mildly autistic was "in".
Yeah, it's the "in" thing, like ADD/ADHD was last decade.
Asperger's, more specifically, is the "in" diagnosis, ot my understanding. Autism, in general, may be an "in" "
cause," but right now I don't think it's anywhere near as notorious for being "that diagnosis they give to spazzy geniuses."
Ironically it looks to be stricken from the DSM-V, whenever the hell that actually comes out.
They just think they have it because they are A) told they have it and were misdiagnosed B) They think they have it after reading about it.
I doubt a child just decides they have AD/HD and claim to their parents and teachers they do just so they get diagnosed.
Adults sometimes 'decide' they have ADHD for somewhat similar reasons, actually- or decide to pursue a diagnosis that will allow them to be prescribed speed, legally. Far more frequently, though, with ADHD, adults (and others involved in the care of the ADHD diagnosis candidates) will pursue a diagnosis of ADHD for a child in the hopes that it will 'fix' problematic behavior. (And sometimes Mommy wants her speed, but she needs Joey to be diagnosed to get it.)
Kids don't tend to want to be given diagnoses, or to be drugged so that their behavior is acceptable to those around them. ADHD is, to my understanding (as well as in my personal opinion),
extremely overdiagnosed, for reasons mentioned above-
far more often there is some type of environmental/adjustment/trauma issue going on. (How often depends on who you ask, but I very much believe the vast majority, albiet I am not saying I don't think some cases are legitimate.)
I don't think Asperger's/Autism has
quite the same issue with overdiagnosis, because there's not quite as much motivation for that diagnosis to be sought. However, there are plethora issues- again, including adjustment and/or trauma-related issues- that can produce symptoms in children that can mimick ASDs.