Did you happen to see Larry King Live on CNN tonight? He interviewed Bill Cosby, Toni Braxton (the singer whose son was recently diagnosed with autism), Suzanne Wright (founder of Autism Speaks), and several other people.
I do not deny anyone the reactions he or she may have to finding out his or her child is autistic. Just as there is a spectrum of autistic conditions, so there is also a spectrum of parent and family reactions. (I admit that I don't understand some of the reactions and cannot relate to them, but we are all individuals and have varying expectations and outlooks on life) Increasing autism awareness and appealing for help for families of children with autism are good things. I saw both of these portrayed in the interviews last night.
The picture of autism that was portrayed in the interview and in the clips of the video "Autism Every Day" (which were showed between interview segments) however, by no means paints a complete picture of how the population of autistic families is living with autism. It bothers me very much that this picture is incomplete and that the picture that is out there on national television is so negative.
It is time for the rest of us who have different opinions, different outlooks, and different approaches to start filling in the rest of the picture that the public sees. Maybe Autism Awareness Month (April) would be a good time to do this.
I really hope that any parents of newly diagnosed autistic children who saw that interview don't walk away with the picture of despair and frustration that I saw portrayed of autism.
4 comments:
The worst show I ever saw was "The Nanny". They had an ASD child. It's the first and last show I saw of theirs and I only watched it b/c I was curious.
Best advice is to start at your Dr's, your local health unit's, find a family support worker and work your way one step at a time through the support system in your region. Keeping notes on the who and where your been.
And remember... advice is only advice... it's not "the law".
S.
It is frustrating, isn't it? I think people only think it is a really bad situation, unless they personally know a family that is very positive about having an autistic family member. I can't tell you how many people have said things like, "Oh, I'm sorry," when they have found out we have a son with Autism. I usually just tell them, "He's a delight. He is the sweetest, most polite little guy -- we are really blessed to have him." I always hope that will make at least one person realize that Autism doesn't have to be a negative.
I agree with you Angie, most people see having an autistic child as a negative, and why shouldn't they when the public message is such as was portrayed on Larry King. I like your reply to those who express sympathy. I also try to stress the positive when I get the same kinds of comments.
Thanks for the advice "S" I am also thinking of starting at my son's school. While my son is practically a fixture there, I wonder if the teachers outside of special education are aware of autism and the implications it has for a student's functioning in school. It really irks me when I hear the same tone of voice used with Samuel to scold or correct him that is used with misbehaving NT students. Not that Samuel shouldn't be scolded or corrected, it's just more effective if it is done in a way that is meaningful, without the emotions.
You are so right on about the emotions! If my son is scolded with any emotion involved it degenerates fast! He learns nothing and ends up crying.
On the other hand, if we patiently talk through what happened and how he should have done things then he accepts the correction and actually learns from the situation.
Our emotions just put him on edge and he can't cope. He just gets to anxious.
Post a Comment