Aspies For Freedom

Hello everyone,

My 15y/o son has decided to do a report on autism for his Health class and to disclose his dx to his classmates.  While I am thrilled with his decision, I am also a little apprehensive too.  One of my concerns is where he can get positive information about autism for his report.  Going to the National Institute for Health website provides information that I am sure his teacher will accept for the report but....the language describing the autism spectrum is daunting and although factual, quite negative focusing on the "can't" instead of the "can".  I want to find factual info that includes a more positive aspect.

I was also hoping to hear from people that have disclosed thier dx and how they handled peoples reactions.  I am really, really hoping that this will be a positive experience for him.  Any advice out there?

Thanks!  Kate

Welcome to AFF Azkate,
I think you will find the positive information that you are looking for here at AFF.
I do not have an official dx so I cant comment on what peoples reaction would be.I have told very few people I 'believe' I am aspie. I got mixed reactions.Most people know I'm a lil' different,some totally ignore me.
Your son may get some negative reactions from people who just cannot understand.He will of course meet people like that his whole life and he will have to deal with it.But I believe if he can get through to his classmates that being aspie is just  different not a disease in need of a cure, he can enlighten them.These are young minds he will  be speaking to. I am glad he has decided to write this report.Good luck son of Kate.

Top Five things aspies want NT's to know:

http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com/showthre...697&page=1

You (or your son) might have a look at: Luke Jackson: Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome. A User Guide to Adolescence. (recommended on T. Attwoods homepage).
Hope you have still enough time.

Speaking of Tony Attwoods page, his initial "What is aspergers" description is also quite good. I know that the report is on autism rather than aspergers, but there's enough cross-mentioning that it might be worth including.

Thank you all for the responses.  

We have Tony Attwoods book but I had forgotten about it.  Thanks for the reminder as
I was thinking that his report could be more slanted towards his Asperger's experience, with a general outline of autism included.  

And yes, I know that he will get both positive and negative reactions about his dx just hoping that it will be more positive    Eventually I hope that he will come over here and discover the great people in this community too.

Regards, Kate

Wow, I just did like the exact same thing in my Health class like a month ago. Which basically involved answering questions like "Can you get autism from eating too much cheese?"

How in depth is he planning to go? If it's not a very in depth thing, it might not really be worth trying to make a distinction.

I think what I'd do. If it supposed to be an in depth one of maybe two pages?? is put my own experiences. Talk about how the world sees it or has seen it. And the positive aspects. As well as the current status in the medical field. Although, Azkate, I don't know how old your son is. So that might be a bit much for him.

Me? I was diagnosed when I was 13. I'm 23 now. I have told my fellow students in my Contemporary Australian Society class, but that was because we were talking about stereotypes. These guys are basically the same people from my Language and Creative Arts class. They were all fine with it. But then the rest are a bunch of misfits like me. Or so I like to think, and it is lovely.

That rocks so hard!!!! more people knowing and understanding is the path to tolerance and community!!! your son is awesome!

Hi Kate, My name is Noranne,

Tell your son that I think he's way cool for telling everyone about his DX and showing a positive light on Autism and Asperger's.

I agree about using' Dr. Attwood's book. I read it when I was working at Cedar Point, it gave me such a clear and broad insight.

I think he's being very very courageous that he is giving out his DX to everyone. I hope people in his school are open minded and won't pick on your son's DX.

I have no fear of my DX and have no problem with saying I am autisic I have asperger's. I've gotten looks before and people saying "I can't tell." What like I'm suppose have big flashing light on my head? I think your son should also have no fear of his DX as well, it will better fuel him for more self-advocy.

Noranne AKA Bardwolf