The first time I tried to post this it got merged to another thread, so I'm trying again:
Feel free to add anything you think is necessary, and if you disagree with anything I say, feel free to say that too.
1. I don't support a cure for autism, but I do support treating comorbids, speech therapy, help with social anxiety ect.
2. Autism is an important part of who I (or my loved one) am (is). If you "cured" that, I (they) would not be the same person anymore. I (they) would be someone less interesting, and with less special gifts to give the world. By curing them, you would be supporting absolute conformity in our society.
I don't have anything to say against your point of view, because I agree with it.
Though I hate the word Comorbid.
Though I hate the word Comorbid.
I know. 'Morbid', i.e creepy and having to do with death.... it just doesn't seem the right word.
We should try to accept diversity.
We should try to accept diversity.
?
I agree with you, but what does it have to do with this thread? Do you want that added to my (very short) list? If so, say so.
I saw a poster that with a photo of a man on it and it said something like "My friend gave himself a cure for autism. We miss him."
That is something like my friend who jumped in front of a train. He was smart and very good and he had Asperger's. He just could not find a job. He tried so hard. I guess he got tired of trying to be someone he wasn't. It doesn't matter if someone with autism looks "normal" and gets all this "social training". They are still different. People are always telling them that they are not good enough and not accepting them as they are.
I agree wit you 100%.
A wise person once told me "Don't ever try to be anything that you are not."
I have tried to follow his advice for many years.
The other way never worked, anyhow.
3. autism is not a set of defects or deficefits as clamed by popular demand. yes, there are cons to autistics compared to a non autistic, but there are many pros as well that need to be made aware of. there should be an increased empahisis on treating my strengths instead of just looking at what i lack, which many do.
4. do not look at autism as a demon ravageing on your child and family, but instead invite it as a part of your child and a part of your family.
5. autism does not cause pain to the child or suffering, sterotypes and negative connoations about the child do cause suffering. there are also conditions highly associated with autism, but is not autism in itself, such as speech problems and thearpy and education to reduce speech problems and the such do not get rid of autism, it helps the autistic become more enabled to be a part of socitey.
6. There are as many kinds of autistics as there are autistics themselves. To list such would be listing the entire autistic population. Each autistic person is unique even in the autistic community.
5. autism does not cause pain to the child or suffering, sterotypes and negative connoations about the child do cause suffering.
As a parent of a child with OCD and who has recently been told he is also on the autistic spectrum, I do think it causes the child suffering without the stereotypes or negative connotations. Admittedly we are in the early days, and he is only nine but he knows he is different and struggles to exist in the world around him. He will get into trouble at school because of his "attitude", his body language is poor, he cannot look straight in lines, he doesnt take on board instructions if they are not given literally, he talks to adults as if he is an adult and then finds himself getting told off. He cannot socially interact with the other children which makes him feel he is being bullied by his peer group, he does not know the normal rules of social interaction but wants to be accepted and this breaks his little heart as he feels like an outsider.
The consultant is targetting a firm diagnosis and additional help in school by Easter for him. I love him to bits, adore the bones of him, but would I wish an easier childhood on him without OCD or autism, too right I would.
I know it's not going to happen so we'll find ways with the consultants/counsellors help but right now it's hard for him just because he knows that he is different.
5. autism does not cause pain to the child or suffering, sterotypes and negative connoations about the child do cause suffering.
As a parent of a child with OCD and who has recently been told he is also on the autistic spectrum, I do think it causes the child suffering without the stereotypes or negative connotations. Admittedly we are in the early days, and he is only nine but he knows he is different and struggles to exist in the world around him. He will get into trouble at school because of his "attitude", his body language is poor, he cannot look straight in lines, he doesnt take on board instructions if they are not given literally, he talks to adults as if he is an adult and then finds himself getting told off. He cannot socially interact with the other children which makes him feel he is being bullied by his peer group, he does not know the normal rules of social interaction but wants to be accepted and this breaks his little heart as he feels like an outsider.
The consultant is targetting a firm diagnosis and additional help in school by Easter for him. I love him to bits, adore the bones of him, but would I wish an easier childhood on him without OCD or autism, too right I would.
I know it's not going to happen so we'll find ways with the consultants/counsellors help but right now it's hard for him just because he knows that he is different.
Again, everyone responds to the way he acts the wrong way, hurting him. You can still live with your weaknesses if people love you for who you are and accomodate the kind of person you are.
Trust me, your child would NOT be the same person if he weren't autistic. Autism is who you are, not some disorder.
Also, Neurotypical people have the same reoccuring weaknesses, too.