I despise using the child's autism as a 'get out of jail free' card.
Hehe, "get out of jail free card" was exactly the phrase that had come to my mind. At least she wasn't saying it out loud in front of the kid.
I don't want to hijack this thread so I'll start another on this topic in General with "Helen Keller" in the subject line.
I do get upset when NTs try to enforce rigid rules over harmless behaviors for the sole purpose of not being allowed to act different. However, it is a parent's duty to enforce some limits.
Agree on both points: It drives me mad when I hear of therapy being used for trivial maters, like, as stated in the article, to stop a child flapping his arms when he gets the hi-score. My immediate reaction was 'what's so wrong with flapping his arms?' If you are going to have therapy you ought to use it for something worthwhile.
Other point is also true. I'm wondering if the boy in the article who breaks lids could be found a less expensive alternative, like pooping bubble wrap.
Agree on both points: It drives me mad when I hear of therapy being used for trivial maters, like, as stated in the article, to stop a child flapping his arms when he gets the hi-score. My immediate reaction was 'what's so wrong with flapping his arms?' If you are going to have therapy you ought to use it for something worthwhile.
My youngest son aged 17 is a ' hand flapper ', grimaces, walks to & fro etc.
Even before I was aware of AS, I felt that these were a ' stress relief mechanism ' so I have never stopped him ( although I have suggested that it might be a good idea to keep some of these mannerism at home as far as possible ).
Now he only does these in places where he feels comfortable to do so.
Peer pressure (him not wanting to appear weird ) has helped to contain this.
This article makes me want to cry. Shockingly bad journalism. Bad reaserch, pointless arguments and a very subjectic view on these issues. I consider it very offensive towards... everyone. It's unbelivable. Makes me wonder it 11 yr old kids could write and publish articles that would be taken that seriously.