Re: Autism/Obsession or Interest

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I totally agree with this approach. My son hasn't shown any obsession similar to

those described (unless you count his interest in Sesame Street videos on the

computer). Now if I could just think of a way that interest could be turned into

a career!!

Susie Redfern

>

> Wonderful story from the Huffington Post today.

>

>

> Autism: Is It An 'Obsession' Or Just A Preferred Interest?

>

> knows a lot about dinosaurs. His parents are told that he must put a

stop

> to this obsession so he can focus on other subjects. Marcy can sing every

Joni

> song but speaks only a few words. She is put in a class for

> lower-functioning children and taught menial labor skills. My son, Neal,

loves

> bees. He actually picks them up, examines them and then puts them back onto a

> flower without getting stung. Well-meaning educators and therapists work

> tirelessly to refocus these children's interests into more " appropriate

> activities. " Time and time again, I've witnessed kids with special needs

> kicking and screaming when they fail to comply with the norm, and they are

> coerced away from their preferred interests. As adults, they are taught to

> sweep floors in a fast food restaurant or stack boxes in a warehouse (not

that

> there is anything wrong with sweeping or stacking).

>

> In this Sunday's The New York Times, writer Amy Harmon shed light on

> Canha, an artistic, autistic young adult and his transition to adulthood.

Major

> kudos to 's parents and support team for viewing 's preferred

> interests in art and cartoon characters as a way for him to earn a living as

an

> adult.

>

> Sometimes I wonder if there is a fine line between autism and certain kinds

of

> genius. Or artistry. Think about it: Anyone who excels at something has to

> have spent countless hours each day perfecting their craft, art or gift. For

> instance, if the mother of a young, would-be juggler were to say, " It's

> inappropriate to toss little balls up and down, " no one would ever have the

joy

> of watching an accomplished juggler. Or, think of scientists who spend hours

in

> their laboratories developing cures for all sorts of ills.

>

> How great would it be if every child had mentors who saw a child's strengths

as

> a way toward adult life. This is not a new concept! In " The Republic, " Plato

> urges educators to view a child's early interests and play as serious

business

> that helps prepare a child for adult work. He emphasizes that forced learning

> cannot remain in the soul. What if parents, educators and therapists saw a

> child's intense interests in a positive light. Perhaps could become a

> paleontologist; Marcy could sing in local plays. We homeschool Neal. He is

now

> learning all about bees. In fact, his school curriculum is built around his

> preferred interests in bees to learn math, science, language, history, etc.

His

> world is expanded by all of us following his intense interests. Perhaps one

day

> he will be a bee keeper or a honey manufacturer. Clearly, the world can

> benefit from people who are free to explore and enact their obsessions.

>

> Elaine Hall is the author of " Now I See the Moon " (Harper). Her new

> book, (co-authored with Diane Isaacs) is titled " Seven Keys to Unlock Autism:

> Making Miracles in the Classroom " Wiley). In stores November 1, 2011. She is

> the founder of The Miracle Project, which holds classes at Vista Del Mar and

The

> Help Group in Los Angeles, and at the 92nd Street Y in NYC. Visit

> www.themiracleproject.org.

>

> Bedard, PLA

> Ricky, andra and 's Mom

> Mothers on a Mission, Inc.

> 6515 Stanley Avenue #4

> Berwyn, IL 60402

> 708-217-3196

> www.mothersonamission.net

> www.noewait.net

>

>

>

> " Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for

> the worst of them all -- the apathy of human beings. " - Helen Keller

>

> Be positive; it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort!

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[Guest guest]

Thank you , for optimism and hope...especially on this gloomy day!

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...