A really important topic! I hope both sides can see that we are "stronger together" and find a way to advocate that supports ALL autistic people.
In my area, there are many programs for children and adults who are "more disabled." I've also seen programs for "gifted" autistics. In my personal situation, I have an adult son who falls in between. He has a very high IQ and was labeled "gifted" at a young age. He didn't receive his autism diagnosis until age 10, and the schools managed his case very badly. It was a constant struggle to get them to understand his needs and how they were different from what was their autism classrooms. He had already struggled with fine motor skills and other things since kindergarten. Teachers were unkind to him at best, verbally abusive at worst. As an adult, he suffers from depression and anxiety and can barely take care of himself, much less pursue higher education or a career.
Ultimately, I have empathy for both sides. We all need to realize that the autism experience is different for each individual. Supports need to be in place for anyone who needs them, no matter their difficulties. At the same time, I think we can call autism a disability while still being positive about each person's strengths.
Before someone replies to me that opinions should come from autistic people, I am one! I didn't realize it until I was about 50 due to the prevalence of the male profile. However, instead of railing against that profile, I choose to educate people about the female profile - which again, is different for each person.
Thank you for this piece. I think a very basic problem in our contemporary public sphere is the prevalence of people who anoint themselves the representatives of complicated, diverse groups of people who have played no role in the selection of that representation; e.g., in the middle of various challenges to democratic community, this is an under-discussed challenge. It's one thing to advocate for your own experience, and to believe your advocacy connects powerfully to some community; it's another thing to claim the authoritative right to speak for all people of a particular class, group or type and make demands on their behalf.
My son is still a long way away from this stage of our lives, but I also really appreciate you advocating for parents and the long term picture. 🙏🏻 it is such a complex world and is completely unbalanced right now.
Thank you for your ongoing advocacy on this. I, too, feel the benefits and complications with the neurodiversity movement for my son and others like him.
A really important topic! I hope both sides can see that we are "stronger together" and find a way to advocate that supports ALL autistic people.
In my area, there are many programs for children and adults who are "more disabled." I've also seen programs for "gifted" autistics. In my personal situation, I have an adult son who falls in between. He has a very high IQ and was labeled "gifted" at a young age. He didn't receive his autism diagnosis until age 10, and the schools managed his case very badly. It was a constant struggle to get them to understand his needs and how they were different from what was their autism classrooms. He had already struggled with fine motor skills and other things since kindergarten. Teachers were unkind to him at best, verbally abusive at worst. As an adult, he suffers from depression and anxiety and can barely take care of himself, much less pursue higher education or a career.
Ultimately, I have empathy for both sides. We all need to realize that the autism experience is different for each individual. Supports need to be in place for anyone who needs them, no matter their difficulties. At the same time, I think we can call autism a disability while still being positive about each person's strengths.
Before someone replies to me that opinions should come from autistic people, I am one! I didn't realize it until I was about 50 due to the prevalence of the male profile. However, instead of railing against that profile, I choose to educate people about the female profile - which again, is different for each person.
Happy birthday!
Thank you for this piece. I think a very basic problem in our contemporary public sphere is the prevalence of people who anoint themselves the representatives of complicated, diverse groups of people who have played no role in the selection of that representation; e.g., in the middle of various challenges to democratic community, this is an under-discussed challenge. It's one thing to advocate for your own experience, and to believe your advocacy connects powerfully to some community; it's another thing to claim the authoritative right to speak for all people of a particular class, group or type and make demands on their behalf.
My son is still a long way away from this stage of our lives, but I also really appreciate you advocating for parents and the long term picture. 🙏🏻 it is such a complex world and is completely unbalanced right now.
Thank you for your ongoing advocacy on this. I, too, feel the benefits and complications with the neurodiversity movement for my son and others like him.
I am appreciative this is finally getting attention and pushback.