Okay…I know this is a recurring theme with me, but the media has recently latched onto the idea that high functioning spectrum kids are very offended by terms like Defeat Autism Now, and the fact that parents are trying to reverse the symptoms of autism.
Here is the deal, if my son had been diagnosed with high functioning aspergers at 3 yrs old, I probably wouldn’t be typing this on my own website about autism right now. I would have thought, “Oh, he’s going to be a lot like Poppy.” My dad, who is an engineer, a math wiz and someone who really enjoys the parts of things (as well as the whole, but REALLY likes the parts). And life would have gone on, unless he was physically ill like my son was at 3, if so I surely would’ve addressed that. (My son had withered away to skin and bones, had huge rings under his eyes, no muscle tone, had major gross motor skill issues and so on.)
BUT, my son was diagnosed with moderate autism. The regional center psychologist said he may never have any meaningful speech, he may never be potty trained, he may need to be institutionalized and some really hard core things that I’m sure were not said to a mom of a kid with high functioning aspergers – were not talking socially awkward and “little professor” here. We’re talking MAJOR DISABILITY. “Prepare yourself to never hear I love you.” “You are going to have to make plans to care for him after your death.” “He may never get married.” Were the types of things that were often discussed during this diagnosis period. Pretty sure your meetings were different.
High functioning Aspergers and Autism are not the same thing. One end of this spectrum is very mild, the other end is debilitating. It’s a bell curve my friends and you are on the far left. Most of us hover somewhere in the middle and some at the far right.
So please don’t take offense to our desire to give our children the best chance possible at enjoying their life. It’s not fair. My son has made amazing improvements where he can now enjoy things – going anywhere used to be an assault on his senses – and now we can go to places like Magic Mountain and ride the rides and he loves it. 2 years ago, we wouldn’t have made it through the chaos of the front gate with out a full on meltdown.
Maybe we could meet somewhere in the middle, because I totally understand how one could take offense to this desire to squelch something that is considered a part of who they are. I’d like to pick your brains a bit to find out what you know so you can help us help our kids communicate, learn and enjoy life. I want our kids to get to the place where you are.
Elynn
:)
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Posted by QueenDustBunny
I totally agree. I don’t want to change my kiddo’s uniqueness. I just want his body to function better. I want him to still be who he is, just without all the extremes that kids/people with autism are prone to.