I want people to be aware that people with autism are people, deserving of respect and tolerance. That many of them are very smart. That just because a person may not speak does not mean he does not hear, and feel, and understand. That autism is not the same as retardation.
I want people to be aware that autism is as much a part of who a person is as his ethnicity or skin color or sexuality. And like all of those attributes, autism is a difference, but not better or worse than any other way of being.
I want people to be aware of the sensory integration problems that often plague individuals on the spectrum. I want them to imagine how they would react if every sound were amplified ten times, or if they could not sense where their own body was in space, or if even their softest clothes constantly grated on their skin.
I want people to be aware of the digestive problems often experienced by individuals with autism. That chronic constipation, the inability to digest wheat or dairy proteins, and frequent abdominal pain can be par for the course.
I want people to be aware that their snap judgments of what they perceive as a mother's poor parenting skills may not accurately reflect the situation they are observing. I want people to understand that when a child with autism has a meltdown in public, it's not because she's a spoiled brat, but because her brain is not wired to handle life in a neurotypical world.
I want people to respect that children with autism may be developmentally delayed by a couple of years in some ways but operate at an age-appropriate - or advanced - level in other ways. That in spite of whatever limitations they have, many individuals with autism are quite gifted in other areas.
I want people to be aware that the autism spectrum is a diverse and confusing range of symptoms, behaviors, challenges, and strengths. Some individuals may flap their hands, or pass objects in front of their eyes, or stare at ceiling fans; and some may not do any of these things. Others may have trouble making eye contact or understanding social cues; and some may look you straight in the eye and say hello. Some may look perfectly "normal" in public; others may remind you of caged animals.
I want people to be aware that individuals on the spectrum are loved by their families and are capable of loving others and of living lives that are meaningful and satisfying. That life with autism can be as much a cause for celebration as any other life.
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Comments (3)
"[A]utism is a difference, but not better or worse than any other way of being"
Are you serious? Of of course its worse, and what with the digestive and sensory irritations they might be plagued with, its a much more painful and definitely worse experience of the world. The anguish and the small gains and triumphs poured out on this site don't exactly speak for the carers of those with autism thinking its not a worse way of being. And those with autism, well, not too many of them have a voice, except those with Asperger's (like me) and even from my point of view, its definitely worse.
It goes without saying that people with autism are no different from anyone else in the world in that they deserve respect and tolerance for their issues. However, any way of being that doesn't allow the individual the ability to be totally independent and fulfil themselves according to their desires is a worse way of being. Even if the sensory and physical issues were addressed, the individual with autism would still have a worse experience of the world, would still not be in an autonomous position.
If autism is "not better or worse than any other way of being" then why look for a cure? If something isn't worse there isn't anything to make better.
@SavonDuJour - exactly - I don't believe in looking for a cure. I'm in the neurodiversity camp. I am learning to appreciate my son's unique perspective on the world. Yes, fitting into typical society will continue to be a major challenge for him, but I value and love him and all of his quirks.
@notanaffliction - If you click 'reply' at the bottom of a comment, it will not only add the @tag, but notify the user that you're replying, via their universal inbox. Much more handy than blogspot's system, imo.
As a high-functioning aspie with close family with autism, I am 100% with you on neurodiversity. The idea of curing conditions that affect the whole person come a little too close to eugenics for my taste. I don't believe society at large will become a hospital place for those with autism or Down's syndrome within my lifetime, or perhaps ever. But as a pastor, I am convinced that the church is called to be a community capable of such hospitality. I point to the work of Christians like Jean Vanier as a sign of hope for world and church both.