Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Are You Aware? XIII
If you want to know more about autism and autistic people, you need to talked to autistic people, and look into organizations run for and by autistic people. What kinds of supports and services are needed to accommodate autistic people to live in a society designed for non-autistic people? Check out the Autism Acceptance Project to get an idea! Because after all, autistic people are here, and they need the support to function here and now.
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2 comments:
Estee thinks autism is a culture and that her child shouldn't have to learn to be a part of society but that society should cater to him.
Not going to happen... I prefer autistics like Dr Temple Grandin. A lot of those on the Hub think they should be catered too, and that educating a child who has autism is the same as "curing" them and that any "therapy" is cruel and should not be done.
I don't recommend the TAAP... I'd find mentors that are out working, are contributing to their own lives and don't want to be part of an "autism culture".
S.
I prefer a middle ground. it is wonderful if one can go out and thrive with few accommodations; but this is not the reality for everyone. For example, my Joey is going to need a lot of acceptance. People equate speech with intelligence, and speech is Joey's main disability. We will do our best to give him skills and coping mechanisms to minimize his need for accommodations that may seem to others extreme (after all, everyone requires accommodation of some form- even if it being allowed to bring a sweater or cup of coffee to work).
In the end, increased acceptance of people who experience the world differently is something that would be a boon to society as a whole, and instead of making a big deal about a kid who needs to chew gum while taking a test (as our school does), we can just let people adjust their worlds to be functional and independent.
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