Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Lenny, Hon, I have to respectfully disagree with you on this subject. I understand what you are saying, but I also think there is a lack of knowledge when it comes to Asperger's. Most attention goes to more severe cases of autism, and the only media coverage goes towards very high functioning aspergers. Asperger's has a spectrum in itself, varying from very high functioning that probably fits what you describe as being disadvantaged rather than disabled. On the other end, it is more like high functioning autism. A person would be hardpressed to find a kid with asperger's that is higher functioning than my son. BUT, he has the SAME IDENTICAL problems and symptoms as a child with autism, just on another level. He barely spoke at all as a toddler. When he did, he reversed his pronouns, did not understand language and was evaluated at 3 years of age as being 15 months behind in language development. He has profound speech disorder, auditory processing disorder and still doesn't know simple words like what an 'end table' is. He never responded to his name, ignored people, gets fixated on things and is in a constant state of confusion about life in general. His coordination problems were so bad that he could not walk in shoes. He is eleven years old and still can't use a knife to cut his own food. He couldn't skip until the age of 8 and has such severe upper body weakness that he canot even hold his baby sister without her slipping within moments. He is painfully thin, has the same food likes and dislikes as anyone else's kid here and has the same issues with not feeling all levels of pain. He gets easily frustrated, has melt downs and cries because we called him to dinner and he thinks we were yelling at him because we raised our voices. He lined up cars, just like autistic kids do. He fixated on small stones and threw them at the ground over and over again for hours, just like an autistic kid would do. He made no eye contact, curled away from touches, and so on and so on and so on. He has come a long long way and we are so proud of him, but he struggles every day of his life. And while the situations are very different, in some ways it is better and others are worse. He has to live and function in a world he does not understand. He has no aid walking around with him all day, keeping him safe and protected from noises, anxieties and bullies. He has the constant struggle of teachers with high expectations that he cannot meet. He tries to fit in and can't undersand what he does wrong. He is disabled, but with no protection. And while I am ecstatic that he is doing as well as he does, I also live with an a child who has the same issues any child here has with the exception of him having words. The only other difference is the level of disability in each area, some of which may be worse for him than for others who are considered more severe. Asperger's is autism, and the only real defining difference is that they acquired language at a normal level. It has been heavily debated as to whether or not asperger's should even be defined as different than high functioning autism since many with asperger's, my son included, DID have language development delays. Because there is a known spectrum of problems with autism, and asperger's should not be differentiated as something other than autism. It is simply a higher functioning form with its own set of individual problems. I am not trying to say that it is as bad as having classic or more severe autism. It is just different in that the same symptoms are present, but at a different level. We all are in the same boat of autism which is why we are all here. Some boats may be better than others, but the water we are treading is the same river going upstream. And yes, parents of kids with asperger's are in one boat that is definately different. We have kids that do understand what is going on, that they are different and we are raising them to be proud of themselves, to have high self esteem and to not 'feel' disabled, if we can. We struggle with telling them that it is ok to be different, that we are all different, that being who they are is ok. As they grow up, God willing, they will be proud of themselves and like who they are, despite their 'autism'. And if we can accomplish that, they will probably feel much like the neurodiverse group does. So...it is harder for us to bash them for all of their thoughts and opinions. No, we don't agree that autism is a choice. We don't agree that autism should not be cured. But, we can understand how they feel proud of themselves, despite having autism. It is a catch 22 for us and for our kids. I believe that is what was trying to convey. I am actually glad this issue came up. I think the lack of knowledge about asperger's drives a lot of people to question it. I know I have caught 'looks' a few times from people at rallys for even being there because my son was not 'autistic' enough. One woman went as far as to ask me right out why I was there. Maybe it was time for the discussion to open up so everyone can realize that parents of kids with asperger's are also dealing with plenty on our plates as well, and we are here fighting for the same reasons. Take care, all. Col > > > > So my son with Aspergers doesn't have a disability? It's all in my > > head?? > > No , it is not in your head. It is in the legal definition of > disability. Words mean things. I didn't make it up. While it does vary > from state to state, to be disabled means you are disabled. It does > not mean you are high functioning. It means, for example you are > blind, not just severly nearsighted. It means, for example, you are > deaf, not just hard of hearing. It means, more or less, that if you > are disabled, you require profound support, intervention and care > 24/7. Aperger Syndrome is not a disability. Google DSM-IV. > > I do not exclude the high functioning disadvantaged from my advocacy. > Why do you put other words in my mouth? For someday, I hope my son > becomes merely HF disadvantaged, and not the profoundly disabled he is > now. But I am entirely clear that my advocacy starts with the > disabled first. I resist any advocacy that comes at the expense of the > disabled. I resist any advocacy that attempts to trivialized how > horrible autism is so that some HF people can feel better about > themselves. Not at the expense of children like mine, they won't. > > Lenny > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 I thought bill was a term used by suppliers to collect their money from NBC. Re: You Tube Video Blasts Autism Speaks I don't know about Bill , but I don't think Bob would.> > >> > > I don't care too much for the video's author, Kent> > , aka> > "Christschool." He's a pretty > > > vicious fella who attacks those of us who are> > using biomedical> > interventions to try to help > > > our kids.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> > Park yourself in front of a world of choices in> > alternative vehicles.> > Visit the Auto Green Center.> > > > __________________________________________________________Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today! http://surveylink./gmrs/_panel_invite.asp?a=7> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 The spectrum is now HUGE. Every kid with a "quirk" now has an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis. My oldest is 20 years old. Had he been a toddler today, no doubt he would have had a "spectrum" diagnosis. Instead, he was diagnosed with ADHD and "social anxiety disorder". I returned to graduate school when he was 8. The light went on. I returned to the ped neurologist, and she was "not comfortable giving a child a *spectrum* diagnosis unless they presented with a greater severity of symptoms" and left his diagnosis the same. He had no endless hours of OT, social skills training..we all know the drill. Brilliant beyond what a test could determine and what a school district could understand, he graduated in the top 10% of his class of 500 and began taking college courses 1 week after he left high school. He is in a pre med program at a private university and doing very well. "We" have adjusted his courseload so he is successful, and he attends courses at the local community college during the summer and over Holiday Break so he is not "behind". He plans to attend medical school and if he does not get in, he will move into nursing. He works for a wonderful, family owned chain of specialty supermarkets. They recognized his "brilliance" and unbelievable kindness and dedication and brought him into the pharmacy and are training him as a pharmacy technician <no training necessary, he took to the job like hand in glove> offered him a summer internship there and are granting him scholarship money. He was born in 1987, so the vaccine thing may have played into this, however I do believe this is genetics. If my 45 year old brother was a toddler today, he would have no doubt have had an Asperger's Diagnosis. His childhood, adolesence and even adult hood were unbelievably difficult for him. Who knew. He wasn't the "non verbal, stimming kid" that people expect to see. He had other issues that 40 some years ago were dismissed as "developmental things." Would I say that my son and brother have autism? NO. But today, with the spectrum including every quirky kid that presents in a docs office, that's the way of the world. Do I think they are two very different and specific disorders? Absolutely. My youngest is 8, he was born in 1999. He was vax'd. Yes he had the "genetic thing" but his challenges are far greater than his brother. True there was an incident at birth and we KNEW something was coming. But I also knew to document every step. And I clearly saw cognitive changes (and documented same) after each vaccination. We are now using Cutler's Protocol along with some great biomedical support. We are 95% there. He clearly has his brothers "brilliance" although he'll never do well on tests. He has fine motor issues (which his brother never had) and sensory issues that also never were apparent with his older sibling. He has mercury damage in every sense of the word. Two boys, same genetics. One was mercury damaged one was not. There's no denying this to someone like me. I see it clearly..... Soon they'll widen the spectrum to include those with OCD, depression and just about every quirk that walks into a psychiatrists/neurologists/pediatricians office. Greater opportunity for pharma to sell more drugs. Soon we'll all be "on the spectrum". What then??? Sophia <rng777@...> wrote: I have a cousin with aspergers and a son with autism comparing them is like comparing apples and oranges,I would never put them in the same group. F> > >> > > I don't agree, Lenny. The neurodiverse have an opinion too. THEY> > > HAVE AUTISM. > > > > They DO NOT HAVE AUTISM. They have a disorder, if at all, on the> > autism spectrum, most likely Asperger Syndrome. Aspergers is not> > autism, it is Aspergers. It has been given a different label because> > it is significantly different than core autism. > > > > The Neurodiverse are a hate group. They demonize parents who seek> > treatment and cures for bonefide autism, the disability. There is no> > parent group anywhere who wants to force inhuman treatments on their> > kids as their straw man propaganda spouts -- although certainly might> > be individuals who do. They also want to redefine autism as something> > high functioning primarily. They act as if autism the disability does> > not exist. They promote their agenda at the expense of children like> > mine, and adults, who are disabled and are in need of treatment and> > cure, if possible. It is immoral to deny cures to the disabled.> > > > > > > They have a disability too, > > > > Aspergers is not a disability. Disability has a specific meaning. It> > does not mean having high functioning disadvantages. It means that> > without profound intervention and care, the individual will likely> > perish. Only a small handful of HF advocates require that their> > advocacy feeds off the disabled like the NDs do. > > > > > > > and like it or not, they have a voice,> > > they have opinions, and they want to be heard just like you.> > > > > > > You won't find me repeating their bilge in my publications. These> > people do not represent the disabled and they do not even represent> > those on the high end of the autism spectrum, imo. However, there are> > HF advocates that do not need to operate from an agenda of hating> > parent groups who seek treatments and cures. I do what I can to> > support and promote their efforts.> > > > Lenny> >> Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Answers - Check it out. Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Autos' Green Center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Re: You Tube Video Blasts Autism Speaks Posted by: " Nanstiel " erik@... quantumerik Thu May 24, 2007 1:49 pm (PST) I hate the pharmaceutical executives who are fighting us... Does that make me a misanthopharmicist? No, that makes you a Paladin ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____Get the toolbar and be alerted to new email wherever you're surfing. http://new.toolbar./toolbar/features/mail/index.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Schadenfreude = bad karma.... Tess > > > > fwiw I don't think they are there to defend pharma, or are paid by it, > > to me it feels they are driven solely by very low personal reasons, > > things like malice, envy, jealousy... personal misery attenuated if more > > people around you are suffering the same fate... schadenfreude is a nice > > word here too... > > > > Natasa > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 I guess there are high functioning aspergers just as there are high functioning kids with autism,I think it is safe to say most on this board would not be disappointed if their child was the next Temple Grandin? > > > > I have a 15 year-old son with aspergers and an 11 year-old son > with autism and I use the same biomedical interventions with both. > And guess what? It works! Aspergers has its own problems. Just ask > those who really want to have friends but don't know how. They are > bully magnets and can't defend themselves or understand why. It can > be so lonesome and confusing. Then they grow up, get together and > call themselves neurodiverse and become royal pains in the ass! My > aspie son can tell the differences from before I started him with > interventions and now. First with the diet, which gave amazing > results and then with supplements. He is a lot happier and > appreciates that he now has friendships and can maintain them. He > thinks the neurodiverse are a bunch of assholes who are selfish and > can't see the real world with their ridiculous views. He wants his > little brother healed too. My older son is fifteen 6'1 " and I still > can't let him ride public transportation alone because he would > > get hopelessly lost. He has no abilities to turn in homework or > remember what he supposed to be doing without a well maintained > schedule. But he is an amazing artist and very compassionate. My sons > are just two different kinds of apples. > > Kathleen > > > > > > The world is not yet exhausted; let me see something tomorrow which > I never saw before. > > - > > > > > ********************************************************************** > *** > > > > > > > > Re: You Tube Video Blasts Autism Speaks > > > > > > I have a cousin with aspergers and a son with autism comparing them > > is like comparing apples and oranges,I would never put them in the > > same group. > > > > > > F > > > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > ______________ > > Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. > > Try the Beta. > > http://advision.webevents./mailbeta/newmail_tools.html > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Thank you for your kind response. Both of my sons are amazing people and I am so glad that they are sharing this planet with me! And they are doing wonderfully well with biomedical interventions and my younger son has ABA as well and is recovering. So I am very blessed. I just wanted others to understand that aspergers has its' own pains and frustrations and is very much a part of the autism spectrum. No parent should be made to feel that they have to defend their presence somewhere because their child is not autistic enough. I hope that all of the children become not autistic enough for these boards. When your child hurts from lack of social understanding even though they have language skills, and they want so much to have friends but don't know how, as a parent you hurt as well. I hated that people called my son a little "Data" because of the aspie thing, far from it, he just didn't know what emotion he was expressing or understand facial and tonal expressions of other people. He does now and people don't find him annoying anymore. That's another thing I would hear, people telling me how annoying they found my son. How rude is that! And very hurtful! That is why the ND's who lurk are never going to be converted without the biomedical interventions. They've felt that hurt for a very long time. I feel sorry for them, but I certainly don't want them hurting families here. And I was surprised that any member would respond so callously to a famliy whose child only has aspergers. My older son had all the autism symptoms with the exception of the language and he actually was diagnosed after his brother because the language thing confused his doctors. Maybe this discussion needed to come up so that parents with aspie kids can also know that they are supported. Kathleen The world is not yet exhausted; let me see something tomorrow which I never saw before.- ************************************************************************* Re: You Tube Video Blasts Autism Speaks Kathleen,Thanks for sharing your story. Even with more healing to do with your boys, its wonderful to hear how well things are going for the olderson. I hope his talents will bloom even more.And I hope the younger son does great too.Bless you guys.In EOHarm , Kathleen Anne <child_book_writer@...> wrote:>> I have a 15 year-old son with aspergers and an 11 year-old son with autism and I use the same biomedical interventions with both. And guess what? It works! Aspergers has its own problems. Just ask those who really want to have friends but don't know how. They are bully magnets and can't defend themselves or understand why. It can be so lonesome and confusing. Then they grow up, get together and call themselves neurodiverse and become royal pains in the ass! My aspie son can tell the differences from before I started him with interventions and now. First with the diet, which gave amazing results and then with supplements. He is a lot happier and appreciates that he now has friendships and can maintain them. He thinks the neurodiverse are a bunch of assholes who are selfish and can't see the real world with their ridiculous views. He wants his little brother healed too. My older son is fifteen 6'1" and I still can't let him ride public transportation alone because he would> get hopelessly lost. He has no abilities to turn in homework or remember what he supposed to be doing without a well maintained schedule. But he is an amazing artist and very compassionate. My sons are just two different kinds of apples. > Kathleen> > > The world is not yet exhausted; let me see something tomorrow which I never saw before.> - > > ************************************************************************* Get the free toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 I believe my daughter wants to be cured also. When I sat down and explained that the diet would help her feel better and do better in school, she was very cooperative in giving up her favorite foods and trying new things. I took that to indicate she is aware there is a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Hi Col, I would be the last person to say we shouldn't vigorously advocate for those like your son on the higher end of the spectrum. My point is that we shouldn't do at the expense of the clinically disabled. I don't see you arguing that we should downplay or trivialize those most severely afflicted. This is what the ND bunch does. Lenny > > Lenny, > > Hon, I have to respectfully disagree with you on this subject. > > I understand what you are saying, but I also think there is a lack of knowledge when it > comes to Asperger's. Most attention goes to more severe cases of autism, and the only > media coverage goes towards very high functioning aspergers. > -snip- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 People don't see them as "disabled". They see them as odd. They are usually brilliantly intelligent and can somewhat hold a conversation. They fool many, often times including themselves. My son knows he's different. In his words? "When God wires you smart, he wires you weird." He has found a comfort zone in a career he will enjoy and friends that love and accept him for who he is and who he is NOT. Just because a disability is not blatant does not mean it's not there. Sophyaschaferatsprynet <schafer@...> wrote: Hi Col,I would be the last person to say we shouldn't vigorously advocate forthose like your son on the higher end of the spectrum. My point isthat we shouldn't do at the expense of the clinically disabled. Idon't see you arguing that we should downplay or trivialize those mostseverely afflicted. This is what the ND bunch does.Lenny>> Lenny,> > Hon, I have to respectfully disagree with you on this subject. > > I understand what you are saying, but I also think there is a lackof knowledge when it > comes to Asperger's. Most attention goes to more severe cases ofautism, and the only > media coverage goes towards very high functioning aspergers.> -snip- Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Sophia (LOL) you're right. I just defended a woman with Asperger's in my town when the store where she worked wanted to fire her for talking too much to customers. I gave the manager an earful about what Asperger's entailed. He is NOT firing her. Got a call two weeks ago from a Grandma midcounty whose grandson, Aspergers fell apart after graduating from high school - tried to navigate college and failed miserably and is now in a deep depression. I tried to hook her up with a number of sources to help the young man. Got a call today from a friend in Ohio who watched a grocery clerk BERATE a bagger-boy for his " non-stop talking " and guess what diagnosis the boy probably has..... It's going to get worse unless we educate the world that these folks exist and need our help and support, AND when possible, biomedical interventions where they can be of help. Elder Robison's book, LOOK ME IN THE EYE, will go a LONG way to creating the discussions about the Asperger's/HFA group. And in a postive way. --- In EOHarm , Sophia <sophya_lauren@...> wrote: > > People don't see them as " disabled " . They see them as odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 I must be missing something in the ongoing discussion of "You Tube Video blasts Autism Speaks". So, I went back and reviewed the "video" and found myself as perplexed over the debate as ever. The video can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LYd4Xe63Y Apparently, the you-tube video producers believe the "inspiration" for Ms. Thierry's "Autism Everyday" film came from the (Feb 2006) emotional, uplifting, encouraging performance of Jayson McElwain, a young autistic man who entered his high school basketball game and proceeded to score 7 of 13 three point shots, totaling 20 points. There is no doubt that Jayson's performance was "inspiring", so much so, he was invited to the White House to meet President Bush, appear on Oprah and have Magic offer to co-produce a film on his life-story. In any event, the you-tube video seeks to characterize Thierry's "Autism Everyday" production as an unrealistic, unwarranted "stigmatization" of autistic children because the film portrays families who are shown having a difficult time raising their autistic child. Feel free to correct me, but, my recollection of events is different. I first viewed Ms. Thierry's "Autism Everyday" production on the Don Imus Show. At that time, I had never heard of Jayson McElwain. Instead, I sat riveted as Ms. Thierry's production realistically portrayed the life and struggles my own family was enduring everyday while raising our autistic child. So, I am hard-pressed to see how Jayson's remarkable - once in a lifetime experience -provided the "inspiration" for a film titled "Autism Everyday"? The rest of the you-tube video is simply an unnecessarily cruel, personal attack, on Ms. Thierry's integrity as a film producer. Consider the "music" that accompanied the "fact" that Ms. Thierry requested the moms she was about to film not have their "hair done" or "vacuum" that day. It was so "dramatic", it was absurd. Would you-tube producers prefer Ms. Thierry realistically portrayed "Autism Everyday" moms as having the energy and time to have their "hair and vacuuming done" everyday? Maybe in their "family", but, not in ours. Ms. Thierry was "proud" that Ms. Singer stated there were times she felt she could "murder" her autistic child". "Proud"? There was no other adjective that would accurately describe the "reality" that some moms have resorted to such tragic means? How about "horrified"? Ms. Thierry is criticized for having portrayed families with autism as they live their "daily" lives? Well, my son and his lovely wife are exactly like those portrayed by Ms. Thierry. Is my son and his lovely wife guilty of "eliciting pity and hopelessness" because the likelihood their son will ever greet the president, Oprah or Magic is just about "hopeless"? Jeepers, my son would settle today for potty training and an occasional spoken "mom or dad". You-tube video suggests "Autism Everyday" cameras and crews entered "small apartments and houses", proceeding to follow and sometimes chase children around the house to illicit a reaction. Trust me, no one has to "follow and chase" my grandson around his house to "elicit a reaction". He "reacts" all day long. He requires no "elicitation" by anyone. The closing snippets of "Autism Everyday" scenes were accompanied by an incessant chant, "kick them when they're up, kick them when they're down". Apparently, the "lyrics" were meant to suggest the parents shown on "Autism Everyday", which were exact composites of my own family, are "kicking" our kids "when they are up, or kicking them when they're down". Yeah, right, Thierry is guilty of "stigmatizing" autistic kids, but you-tube producers see no problem in "stigmatizing" every parent who was shown in that "Autism Everyday" production coping with the "reality" of caring for their child. Not surprisingly, the you-tube video ends with the disclaimer "The only ones who seem satisfied with this (Autism Everyday) manufactured film are the super rich Town and Country set on the Autism Speaks board. Well, I am not "super rich Town and Country". I am "Joe six pack grandpa" and I thought "Autism Everyday" an excellent representation of my family's life. All in all, this you-tube video is a vicious, unwarranted attack on Thierry and those parents that understood and related her production of "Autism Everyday".See what's free at AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 I must be missing something in the ongoing discussion of "You Tube Video blasts Autism Speaks". So, I went back and reviewed the "video" and found myself as perplexed over the debate as ever. The video can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LYd4Xe63Y Apparently, the you-tube video producers believe the "inspiration" for Ms. Thierry's "Autism Everyday" film came from the (Feb 2006) emotional, uplifting, encouraging performance of Jayson McElwain, a young autistic man who entered his high school basketball game and proceeded to score 7 of 13 three point shots, totaling 20 points. There is no doubt that Jayson's performance was "inspiring", so much so, he was invited to the White House to meet President Bush, appear on Oprah and have Magic offer to co-produce a film on his life-story. In any event, the you-tube video seeks to characterize Thierry's "Autism Everyday" production as an unrealistic, unwarranted "stigmatization" of autistic children because the film portrays families who are shown having a difficult time raising their autistic child. Feel free to correct me, but, my recollection of events is different. I first viewed Ms. Thierry's "Autism Everyday" production on the Don Imus Show. At that time, I had never heard of Jayson McElwain. Instead, I sat riveted as Ms. Thierry's production realistically portrayed the life and struggles my own family was enduring everyday while raising our autistic child. So, I am hard-pressed to see how Jayson's remarkable - once in a lifetime experience -provided the "inspiration" for a film titled "Autism Everyday"? The rest of the you-tube video is simply an unnecessarily cruel, personal attack, on Ms. Thierry's integrity as a film producer. Consider the "music" that accompanied the "fact" that Ms. Thierry requested the moms she was about to film not have their "hair done" or "vacuum" that day. It was so "dramatic", it was absurd. Would you-tube producers prefer Ms. Thierry realistically portrayed "Autism Everyday" moms as having the energy and time to have their "hair and vacuuming done" everyday? Maybe in their "family", but, not in ours. Ms. Thierry was "proud" that Ms. Singer stated there were times she felt she could "murder" her autistic child". "Proud"? There was no other adjective that would accurately describe the "reality" that some moms have resorted to such tragic means? How about "horrified"? Ms. Thierry is criticized for having portrayed families with autism as they live their "daily" lives? Well, my son and his lovely wife are exactly like those portrayed by Ms. Thierry. Is my son and his lovely wife guilty of "eliciting pity and hopelessness" because the likelihood their son will ever greet the president, Oprah or Magic is just about "hopeless"? Jeepers, my son would settle today for potty training and an occasional spoken "mom or dad". You-tube video suggests "Autism Everyday" cameras and crews entered "small apartments and houses", proceeding to follow and sometimes chase children around the house to illicit a reaction. Trust me, no one has to "follow and chase" my grandson around his house to "elicit a reaction". He "reacts" all day long. He requires no "elicitation" by anyone. The closing snippets of "Autism Everyday" scenes were accompanied by an incessant chant, "kick them when they're up, kick them when they're down". Apparently, the "lyrics" were meant to suggest the parents shown on "Autism Everyday", which were exact composites of my own family, are "kicking" our kids "when they are up, or kicking them when they're down". Yeah, right, Thierry is guilty of "stigmatizing" autistic kids, but you-tube producers see no problem in "stigmatizing" every parent who was shown in that "Autism Everyday" production coping with the "reality" of caring for their child. Not surprisingly, the you-tube video ends with the disclaimer "The only ones who seem satisfied with this (Autism Everyday) manufactured film are the super rich Town and Country set on the Autism Speaks board. Well, I am not "super rich Town and Country". I am "Joe six pack grandpa" and I thought "Autism Everyday" an excellent representation of my family's life. All in all, this you-tube video is a vicious, unwarranted attack on Thierry and those parents that understood and related her production of "Autism Everyday".See what's free at AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 College is BRUAL for these kids, no matter how bright they are. They're out there, on their own. My son knew he could not live away, we are fortunate to live in a wonderful place where there are excellent local colleges. Some of the best medical schools in the country are based here (if he's fortunate enough to get in). Living away would have been the straw to break the camel's back. With mom to help him navigate and deal with the anxiety (oh the anxiety these kids have is a killer) it is making it easier for him to concentrate on his studies and building his OWN life which he''s doing quite well. Sophia <wink> krstagliano <KRStagliano@...> wrote: Sophia (LOL) you're right. I just defended a woman with Asperger's in my town when the store where she worked wanted to fire her for talking too much to customers. I gave the manager an earful about what Asperger's entailed. He is NOT firing her. Got a call two weeks ago from a Grandma midcounty whose grandson, Aspergers fell apart after graduating from high school - tried to navigate college and failed miserably and is now in a deep depression. I tried to hook her up with a number of sources to help the young man. Got a call today from a friend in Ohio who watched a grocery clerk BERATE a bagger-boy for his "non-stop talking" and guess what diagnosis the boy probably has..... It's going to get worse unless we educate the world that these folks exist and need our help and support, AND when possible, biomedical interventions where they can be of help. Elder Robison's book, LOOK ME IN THE EYE, will go a LONG way to creating the discussions about the Asperger's/HFA group. And in a postive way. >> People don't see them as "disabled". They see them as odd. Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 College is BRUAL for these kids, no matter how bright they are. They're out there, on their own. My son knew he could not live away, we are fortunate to live in a wonderful place where there are excellent local colleges. Some of the best medical schools in the country are based here (if he's fortunate enough to get in). Living away would have been the straw to break the camel's back. With mom to help him navigate and deal with the anxiety (oh the anxiety these kids have is a killer) it is making it easier for him to concentrate on his studies and building his OWN life which he''s doing quite well. Sophia <wink> krstagliano <KRStagliano@...> wrote: Sophia (LOL) you're right. I just defended a woman with Asperger's in my town when the store where she worked wanted to fire her for talking too much to customers. I gave the manager an earful about what Asperger's entailed. He is NOT firing her. Got a call two weeks ago from a Grandma midcounty whose grandson, Aspergers fell apart after graduating from high school - tried to navigate college and failed miserably and is now in a deep depression. I tried to hook her up with a number of sources to help the young man. Got a call today from a friend in Ohio who watched a grocery clerk BERATE a bagger-boy for his "non-stop talking" and guess what diagnosis the boy probably has..... It's going to get worse unless we educate the world that these folks exist and need our help and support, AND when possible, biomedical interventions where they can be of help. Elder Robison's book, LOOK ME IN THE EYE, will go a LONG way to creating the discussions about the Asperger's/HFA group. And in a postive way. >> People don't see them as "disabled". They see them as odd. Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 I chose not to watch the video on You Tube. Why not? The AS video doesn't bug me. I sent the link to that video to all my friends and family just so they would understand that autism is not all basketball shots, " simon is home, " and card sharks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 I chose not to watch the video on You Tube. Why not? The AS video doesn't bug me. I sent the link to that video to all my friends and family just so they would understand that autism is not all basketball shots, " simon is home, " and card sharks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 In the words of F Lee , let's not cloud this issue with the facts. ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____Sick sense of humor? Visit TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when. http://tv./collections/222 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 In the words of F Lee , let's not cloud this issue with the facts. ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____Sick sense of humor? Visit TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when. http://tv./collections/222 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 I think you did miss the point. The point is -- in response to the story of J-Mac, which was UPBEAT, they put out their sad tale of woe. It was nothing but sadness. No hope. All gloom and doom. And the comment where the VP of AS says she was going to drive off of a bridge if it wasn't for her " typical " daughter was a bit disturbing. > > I must be missing something in the ongoing discussion of " You Tube Video > blasts Autism Speaks " . So, I went back and reviewed the " video " and found > myself as perplexed over the debate as ever. The video can be viewed at: > > _http://www.youtube.http://wwwhttp://www.yo_ > (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LYd4Xe63Y) > > Apparently, the you-tube video producers believe the " inspiration " for Ms. > Thierry's " Autism Everyday " film came from the (Feb 2006) emotional, > uplifting, encouraging performance of Jayson McElwain, a young autistic man who > entered his high school basketball game and proceeded to score 7 of 13 three point > shots, totaling 20 points. There is no doubt that Jayson's performance was > " inspiring " , so much so, he was invited to the White House to meet President > Bush, appear on Oprah and have Magic offer to co-produce a film on > his life-story. > > In any event, the you-tube video seeks to characterize Thierry's > " Autism Everyday " production as an unrealistic, unwarranted " stigmatization " of > autistic children because the film portrays families who are shown having a > difficult time raising their autistic child. > > Feel free to correct me, but, my recollection of events is different. I > first viewed Ms. Thierry's " Autism Everyday " production on the Don Imus Show. > At that time, I had never heard of Jayson McElwain. Instead, I sat riveted as > Ms. Thierry's production realistically portrayed the life and struggles my > own family was enduring everyday while raising our autistic child. > > So, I am hard-pressed to see how Jayson's remarkable - once in a lifetime > experience -provided the " inspiration " for a film titled " Autism Everyday " ? > > The rest of the you-tube video is simply an unnecessarily cruel, personal > attack, on Ms. Thierry's integrity as a film producer. > > Consider the " music " that accompanied the " fact " that Ms. Thierry requested > the moms she was about to film not have their " hair done " or " vacuum " that > day. It was so " dramatic " , it was absurd. > > Would you-tube producers prefer Ms. Thierry realistically portrayed " Autism > Everyday " moms as having the energy and time to have their " hair and > vacuuming done " everyday? Maybe in their " family " , but, not in ours. > > Ms. Thierry was " proud " that Ms. Singer stated there were times she felt she > could " murder " her autistic child " . " Proud " ? There was no other adjective > that would accurately describe the " reality " that some moms have resorted to > such tragic means? How about " horrified " ? > > Ms. Thierry is criticized for having portrayed families with autism as they > live their " daily " lives? Well, my son and his lovely wife are exactly like > those portrayed by Ms. Thierry. Is my son and his lovely wife guilty of > " eliciting pity and hopelessness " because the likelihood their son will ever > greet the president, Oprah or Magic is just about " hopeless " ? Jeepers, > my son would settle today for potty training and an occasional spoken " mom or > dad " . > > You-tube video suggests " Autism Everyday " cameras and crews entered " small > apartments and houses " , proceeding to follow and sometimes chase children > around the house to illicit a reaction. Trust me, no one has to " follow and > chase " my grandson around his house to " elicit a reaction " . He " reacts " all day > long. He requires no " elicitation " by anyone. > > The closing snippets of " Autism Everyday " scenes were accompanied by an > incessant chant, " kick them when they're up, kick them when they're down " . > Apparently, the " lyrics " were meant to suggest the parents shown on " Autism > Everyday " , which were exact composites of my own family, are " kicking " our kids > " when they are up, or kicking them when they're down " . > > Yeah, right, Thierry is guilty of " stigmatizing " autistic kids, but > you-tube producers see no problem in " stigmatizing " every parent who was shown > in that " Autism Everyday " production coping with the " reality " of caring for > their child. > > Not surprisingly, the you-tube video ends with the disclaimer " The only ones > who seem satisfied with this (Autism Everyday) manufactured film are the > super rich Town and Country set on the Autism Speaks board. Well, I am not > " super rich Town and Country " . I am " Joe six pack grandpa " and I thought " Autism > Everyday " an excellent representation of my family's life. > > All in all, this you-tube video is a vicious, unwarranted attack on > Thierry and those parents that understood and related her production of > " Autism Everyday " . > > > > > ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 I think you did miss the point. The point is -- in response to the story of J-Mac, which was UPBEAT, they put out their sad tale of woe. It was nothing but sadness. No hope. All gloom and doom. And the comment where the VP of AS says she was going to drive off of a bridge if it wasn't for her " typical " daughter was a bit disturbing. > > I must be missing something in the ongoing discussion of " You Tube Video > blasts Autism Speaks " . So, I went back and reviewed the " video " and found > myself as perplexed over the debate as ever. The video can be viewed at: > > _http://www.youtube.http://wwwhttp://www.yo_ > (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LYd4Xe63Y) > > Apparently, the you-tube video producers believe the " inspiration " for Ms. > Thierry's " Autism Everyday " film came from the (Feb 2006) emotional, > uplifting, encouraging performance of Jayson McElwain, a young autistic man who > entered his high school basketball game and proceeded to score 7 of 13 three point > shots, totaling 20 points. There is no doubt that Jayson's performance was > " inspiring " , so much so, he was invited to the White House to meet President > Bush, appear on Oprah and have Magic offer to co-produce a film on > his life-story. > > In any event, the you-tube video seeks to characterize Thierry's > " Autism Everyday " production as an unrealistic, unwarranted " stigmatization " of > autistic children because the film portrays families who are shown having a > difficult time raising their autistic child. > > Feel free to correct me, but, my recollection of events is different. I > first viewed Ms. Thierry's " Autism Everyday " production on the Don Imus Show. > At that time, I had never heard of Jayson McElwain. Instead, I sat riveted as > Ms. Thierry's production realistically portrayed the life and struggles my > own family was enduring everyday while raising our autistic child. > > So, I am hard-pressed to see how Jayson's remarkable - once in a lifetime > experience -provided the " inspiration " for a film titled " Autism Everyday " ? > > The rest of the you-tube video is simply an unnecessarily cruel, personal > attack, on Ms. Thierry's integrity as a film producer. > > Consider the " music " that accompanied the " fact " that Ms. Thierry requested > the moms she was about to film not have their " hair done " or " vacuum " that > day. It was so " dramatic " , it was absurd. > > Would you-tube producers prefer Ms. Thierry realistically portrayed " Autism > Everyday " moms as having the energy and time to have their " hair and > vacuuming done " everyday? Maybe in their " family " , but, not in ours. > > Ms. Thierry was " proud " that Ms. Singer stated there were times she felt she > could " murder " her autistic child " . " Proud " ? There was no other adjective > that would accurately describe the " reality " that some moms have resorted to > such tragic means? How about " horrified " ? > > Ms. Thierry is criticized for having portrayed families with autism as they > live their " daily " lives? Well, my son and his lovely wife are exactly like > those portrayed by Ms. Thierry. Is my son and his lovely wife guilty of > " eliciting pity and hopelessness " because the likelihood their son will ever > greet the president, Oprah or Magic is just about " hopeless " ? Jeepers, > my son would settle today for potty training and an occasional spoken " mom or > dad " . > > You-tube video suggests " Autism Everyday " cameras and crews entered " small > apartments and houses " , proceeding to follow and sometimes chase children > around the house to illicit a reaction. Trust me, no one has to " follow and > chase " my grandson around his house to " elicit a reaction " . He " reacts " all day > long. He requires no " elicitation " by anyone. > > The closing snippets of " Autism Everyday " scenes were accompanied by an > incessant chant, " kick them when they're up, kick them when they're down " . > Apparently, the " lyrics " were meant to suggest the parents shown on " Autism > Everyday " , which were exact composites of my own family, are " kicking " our kids > " when they are up, or kicking them when they're down " . > > Yeah, right, Thierry is guilty of " stigmatizing " autistic kids, but > you-tube producers see no problem in " stigmatizing " every parent who was shown > in that " Autism Everyday " production coping with the " reality " of caring for > their child. > > Not surprisingly, the you-tube video ends with the disclaimer " The only ones > who seem satisfied with this (Autism Everyday) manufactured film are the > super rich Town and Country set on the Autism Speaks board. Well, I am not > " super rich Town and Country " . I am " Joe six pack grandpa " and I thought " Autism > Everyday " an excellent representation of my family's life. > > All in all, this you-tube video is a vicious, unwarranted attack on > Thierry and those parents that understood and related her production of > " Autism Everyday " . > > > > > ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Re: You Tube Video Blasts Autism Speaks Posted by: " autismlink " cindy@... autismlink Sat May 26, 2007 4:25 am (PST) I think you did miss the point. The point is -- in response to the story of J-Mac, which was UPBEAT, they put out their sad tale of woe. It was nothing but sadness. No hope. All gloom and doom. And the comment where the VP of AS says she was going to drive off of a bridge if it wasn't for her " typical " daughter was a bit disturbing. I understand that the comment about the bridge was disturbing. Perhaps that is the point of saying something so brutally (and dangerously) honest. Autism is a Spectrum condition with a range of severity in the different aspects. We see pieces like " Welcome to Holland " and it makes me want to vomit thinking that people may misconstrue the piece and fail to realize that for some people with autistic children facing tulips instead of vino is the extent of their callenge. " God only gives Special children to Special parents " my ass! I have personally known families with autistic kids who had major fucking problems that no one who gets paid to do so could help them with. Each persons ability to cope with adversity hinges upon so many diverse factors that we cannot make judgements about people who fail to rise to the job at hand. Tragedies when they occur? Of Biblical proportions if you ask me. And while I may grieve for the victims of such occurances, I find my feelings very mixed about condeming the other victims who commit the horrific crimes. (Ok, except for Marcus Fiesel's foster parents. I hope they get repeatedly raped in prison until they die and go to Hell.) How do we as a very small minority grab society by the scruff of their neck and pull our collective heads out of our asses to start fixing the problems we have. I mean there is something very, very wrong with us when American Idol is more important that providing quality of care assistive services for families with disabled children teetering on the efge of crisis. I appologize if people are offended by my words or feel I am simply venting to the choir but it has been a very bad month for us here and I find it hard to hold my tongue. ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels in 45,000 destinations on Travel to find your fit. http://farechase./promo-generic-14795097 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Nobody is blasting you. :-) Everyone is entitled to an opinion. That's why it's a " DISCUSSION " group. :-) > > Re: You Tube Video Blasts Autism Speaks > Posted by: " autismlink " cindy@... > autismlink > Sat May 26, 2007 4:25 am (PST) > I think you did miss the point. The point is -- in > response to the > story of J-Mac, which was UPBEAT, they put out their > sad tale of woe. > It was nothing but sadness. No hope. All gloom and > doom. > > And the comment where the VP of AS says she was going > to drive off of > a bridge if it wasn't for her " typical " daughter was a > bit disturbing. > > > > I understand that the comment about the bridge was > disturbing. Perhaps that is the point of saying > something so brutally (and dangerously) honest. > > Autism is a Spectrum condition with a range of > severity in the different aspects. We see pieces like > " Welcome to Holland " and it makes me want to vomit > thinking that people may misconstrue the piece and > fail to realize that for some people with autistic > children facing tulips instead of vino is the extent > of their callenge. > > " God only gives Special children to Special parents " > my ass! I have personally known families with > autistic kids who had major fucking problems that no > one who gets paid to do so could help them with. Each > persons ability to cope with adversity hinges upon so > many diverse factors that we cannot make judgements > about people who fail to rise to the job at hand. > > Tragedies when they occur? Of Biblical proportions if > you ask me. And while I may grieve for the victims of > such occurances, I find my feelings very mixed about > condeming the other victims who commit the horrific > crimes. (Ok, except for Marcus Fiesel's foster > parents. I hope they get repeatedly raped in prison > until they die and go to Hell.) > > How do we as a very small minority grab society by the > scruff of their neck and pull our collective heads out > of our asses to start fixing the problems we have. I > mean there is something very, very wrong with us when > American Idol is more important that providing quality > of care assistive services for families with disabled > children teetering on the efge of crisis. > > I appologize if people are offended by my words or > feel I am simply venting to the choir but it has been > a very bad month for us here and I find it hard to > hold my tongue. > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ > Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels > in 45,000 destinations on Travel to find your fit. > http://farechase./promo-generic-14795097 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Nobody is blasting you. :-) Everyone is entitled to an opinion. That's why it's a " DISCUSSION " group. :-) > > Re: You Tube Video Blasts Autism Speaks > Posted by: " autismlink " cindy@... > autismlink > Sat May 26, 2007 4:25 am (PST) > I think you did miss the point. The point is -- in > response to the > story of J-Mac, which was UPBEAT, they put out their > sad tale of woe. > It was nothing but sadness. No hope. All gloom and > doom. > > And the comment where the VP of AS says she was going > to drive off of > a bridge if it wasn't for her " typical " daughter was a > bit disturbing. > > > > I understand that the comment about the bridge was > disturbing. Perhaps that is the point of saying > something so brutally (and dangerously) honest. > > Autism is a Spectrum condition with a range of > severity in the different aspects. We see pieces like > " Welcome to Holland " and it makes me want to vomit > thinking that people may misconstrue the piece and > fail to realize that for some people with autistic > children facing tulips instead of vino is the extent > of their callenge. > > " God only gives Special children to Special parents " > my ass! I have personally known families with > autistic kids who had major fucking problems that no > one who gets paid to do so could help them with. Each > persons ability to cope with adversity hinges upon so > many diverse factors that we cannot make judgements > about people who fail to rise to the job at hand. > > Tragedies when they occur? Of Biblical proportions if > you ask me. And while I may grieve for the victims of > such occurances, I find my feelings very mixed about > condeming the other victims who commit the horrific > crimes. (Ok, except for Marcus Fiesel's foster > parents. I hope they get repeatedly raped in prison > until they die and go to Hell.) > > How do we as a very small minority grab society by the > scruff of their neck and pull our collective heads out > of our asses to start fixing the problems we have. I > mean there is something very, very wrong with us when > American Idol is more important that providing quality > of care assistive services for families with disabled > children teetering on the efge of crisis. > > I appologize if people are offended by my words or > feel I am simply venting to the choir but it has been > a very bad month for us here and I find it hard to > hold my tongue. > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ > Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels > in 45,000 destinations on Travel to find your fit. > http://farechase./promo-generic-14795097 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2007 Report Share Posted May 27, 2007 As the mother of a child with Aspergers and one with HFA, it makes me unbelievably sad that we, as a community of parents, would even be having this conversation. We are all suffering. Our children are all suffering. Any discussion of who's suffering more, my child or yours, makes people feel like their suffering isn't real, or isn't being acknowledged. I may be " luckier " than some, but it's unlikely that either of my children will end up being afootball star, a congressman, or even a father with children of his own. Pain is pain, and we are all in it. Kim --- analyzinggal <mcstrom@...> wrote: > Lenny, > > Hon, I have to respectfully disagree with you > on this subject. > > I understand what you are saying, but I also > think there is a lack of knowledge when it > comes to Asperger's. Most attention goes to > more severe cases of autism, and the only > media coverage goes towards very high > functioning aspergers. > > Asperger's has a spectrum in itself, varying > from very high functioning that probably fits > what you describe as being disadvantaged rather > than disabled. On the other end, it is > more like high functioning autism. > > A person would be hardpressed to find a kid > with asperger's that is higher functioning > than my son. BUT, he has the SAME IDENTICAL > problems and symptoms as a child with > autism, just on another level. > > He barely spoke at all as a toddler. When he > did, he reversed his pronouns, did not > understand language and was evaluated at 3 > years of age as being 15 months behind in > language development. He has profound speech > disorder, auditory processing disorder > and still doesn't know simple words like what > an 'end table' is. He never responded to his > name, ignored people, gets fixated on things > and is in a constant state of confusion about > life in general. > > His coordination problems were so bad that he > could not walk in shoes. He is eleven years > old and still can't use a knife to cut his own > food. He couldn't skip until the age of 8 and > has such severe upper body weakness that he > canot even hold his baby sister without her > slipping within moments. He is painfully thin, > has the same food likes and dislikes as > anyone else's kid here and has the same issues > with not feeling all levels of pain. > > He gets easily frustrated, has melt downs and > cries because we called him to dinner and > he thinks we were yelling at him because we > raised our voices. > > He lined up cars, just like autistic kids do. > He fixated on small stones and threw them at > the ground over and over again for hours, just > like an autistic kid would do. He made no > eye contact, curled away from touches, and so > on and so on and so on. > > He has come a long long way and we are so proud > of him, but he struggles every day of > his life. And while the situations are very > different, in some ways it is better and others > are > worse. He has to live and function in a world > he does not understand. He has no aid > walking around with him all day, keeping him > safe and protected from noises, anxieties > and bullies. He has the constant struggle of > teachers with high expectations that he > cannot meet. He tries to fit in and can't > undersand what he does wrong. > > He is disabled, but with no protection. And > while I am ecstatic that he is doing as well as > > he does, I also live with an a child who has > the same issues any child here has with the > exception of him having words. The only other > difference is the level of disability in each > area, some of which may be worse for him than > for others who are considered more > severe. > > Asperger's is autism, and the only real > defining difference is that they acquired > language > at a normal level. It has been heavily debated > as to whether or not asperger's should even > be defined as different than high functioning > autism since many with asperger's, my son > included, DID have language development delays. > Because there is a known spectrum of > problems with autism, and asperger's should not > be differentiated as something other > than autism. It is simply a higher functioning > form with its own set of individual problems. > > I am not trying to say that it is as bad as > having classic or more severe autism. It is > just > different in that the same symptoms are > present, but at a different level. We all are > in the > same boat of autism which is why we are all > here. Some boats may be better than others, > but the water we are treading is the same river > going upstream. > > And yes, parents of kids with asperger's are in > one boat that is definately different. We > have kids that do understand what is going on, > that they are different and we are raising > them to be proud of themselves, to have high > self esteem and to not 'feel' disabled, if we > can. We struggle with telling them that it is > ok to be different, that we are all different, > that > being who they are is ok. > > As they grow up, God willing, they will be > proud of themselves and like who they are, > despite their 'autism'. And if we can > accomplish that, they will probably feel much > like the > neurodiverse group does. So...it is harder for > us to bash them for all of their thoughts and > opinions. No, we don't agree that autism is a > choice. We don't agree that autism should > not be cured. But, we can understand how they > feel proud of themselves, despite having > autism. > > It is a catch 22 for us and for our kids. I > believe that is what was trying to > convey. > > I am actually glad this issue came up. I think > the lack of knowledge about asperger's drives > a lot of people to question it. I know I have > caught 'looks' a few times from people at > rallys > for even being there because my son was not > 'autistic' enough. One woman went as far as > to ask me right out why I was there. > > Maybe it was time for the discussion to open up > so everyone can realize that parents of > kids with asperger's are also dealing with > plenty on our plates as well, and we are here > fighting for the same reasons. > > Take care, all. > > Col > > > > > > > > > > > > So my son with Aspergers doesn't have a > disability? It's all in my > > > head?? > > > > No , it is not in your head. It is in > the legal definition of > > disability. Words mean things. I didn't make > it up. While it does vary > > from state to state, to be disabled means you > are disabled. It does > > not mean you are high functioning. It means, > for example you are > > blind, not just severly nearsighted. It > means, for example, you are > > deaf, not just hard of hearing. It means, > more or less, that if you > > are disabled, you require profound support, > intervention and care > > 24/7. Aperger Syndrome is not a disability. > Google DSM-IV. > > > > I do not exclude the high functioning > disadvantaged from my advocacy. > > Why do you put other words in my mouth? For > someday, I hope my son > > becomes merely HF disadvantaged, and not the > profoundly disabled he is > > now. But I am entirely clear that my > advocacy starts with the > > disabled first. I resist any advocacy that > comes at the expense of the > > disabled. I resist any advocacy that attempts > to trivialized how > > horrible autism is so that some HF people can > feel better about > === message truncated === ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Never miss an email again! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. http://tools.search./toolbar/features/mail/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.