Autism/Obsession or Interest

[Guest guest]

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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