Aspies For Freedom

This is an encouraging Letter to the Editor. It shows a certain level if understanding that is moving towards a full understanding.


My child is eight years old and in 2001 was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD); he was not diagnosed with a mental illness. I was appalled, therefore, to learn that the Review of Mental Health & Learning Disability (NI) recommends that ASD should be placed under the Mental Health Programme of Care. Surely this is going back to when adults, wrongly diagnosed, were placed in psychiatric wards?
Autism is a life-long developmental disability, not a mental illness and not a learning disability (although some people with ASD may also have learning disabilities). Many autistic people have above average intelligence and, with support, lead "normal" lives. Why are autistic people being pigeon-holed when quite clearly they require a dedicated programme of care to suit their unique needs? Frances McLean, Newtownabbey.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/story/25640

It's always nice to read something like that. I think this person hit the nail on the head of how I feel about AS: for me, it's neither an illness nor simply an "alternative way of thinking," but something in between. I know that I am a good, conscious, capable person who does not need any sort of "treatment". I also know that I have certain shortcomings that I struggle with every day, just like everybody else- no matter where they are neurologically.