Aspies For Freedom

On BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 10th April and the following Sunday at 5.40 pm for about 15 to 20 minutes, "Raising Joe" will be broadcast.

According to the programme guide, "Michael Blastland describes scenes  from the life of his severely disabled, autistic son Joe, whose behaviour has moved him to anger, exasperation and laughter - and to ask the shocking question: 'Is it possible that Joe isn't one of us?'"

The programmes "tell some very upsetting truths" and will suprise listeners about how 'normal' people relate to the world and how Joe doesn't - "his condition means he doesn't care what anyone else thinks and cannot be taught."

Michael Blastland is a Radio 4 current affairs programme producer.

"his condition means he doesn't care what anyone else thinks and cannot be taught."

I wonder in what sense he means this. Unless his son was being violent to people, would it matter if he didn't care what someone thought, such as schoolmates?

IMHO, no. In fact it would probably save him from a lot of grief and worry - as far as I can see. the more people are aware of and care about what others think of them, the more self-conscious and ashamed they are, and the more anxious and inhibited in their freedom  :cry: