Conor went to bed at his usual time tonight. After about an hour he got up to use the washroom. As he was heading back to his room he said in his own manner of speech "See you at 6" which is the exact time he gets up every morning. He then puts CBC NB Morning news with Terry Seguin on the television. When Conor says see you at 6 it makes me, and his Mom, feel very good. Every day Conor brings us joy ... great joy ... starting at 6 am.
Autism is Conor. One cannot be separated from the other.
ReplyDeleteConor stating that he will see you at 6:00AM is a minor miracle considering how severe his autism is. The concept of time, future and the past is a complex notion.
You’re great parents!
Sorry but the neurodiverse anon up there is wrong! Autism is not Conor. What an insult to him. Would this person also state that cancer is "someone" or MS, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's is "someone"? Autism is a disorder. Damage to the neurological system. When will these neurodiverse nuts accept that? Do they also like to claim all of these other neurological disorders are just "different wiring?" Such irresponsible people for claiming autism is the person!
ReplyDeleteAge of Autism has a post up today showing how Chiari Malformation is present in many autism cases and is often overlooked. It has real side effects and symptoms. Is this just "different wiring" or should we just accept that this is part of the person? Honestly, the parents of kids who love their autism sicken me. They are irresponsible for thinking autism is "awesome."
ReplyDeleteTo say that every tantrum is autism and every " normal " behaviour the unique aspect of the individual is being neurodiversive in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWe can hate the condition
but when we have it for life then we need to understand it
and accept that it will always be there.
Anonymous 5:54 pm - how do YOU know that every meltdown or trantrum will always be there, that the condition ... the disorder ... can NEVER be treated?
ReplyDeleteHarold, i'm not saying that the behavior cannot be treated or modified. We need to place reasonable expectations on a person based on their capacity.
ReplyDeleteAre you saying that every person with autism should be able to say
"see you at 6"? If given the correct treatment? Which therapy is that?
Anonymous I did not say "that every person with autism should be able to say "see you at 6"
ReplyDeleteHarold, No.
ReplyDeleteI do not know very many autistic children and adults. The ones that I have met are very different from one another. There are some that I could barely tell have autism and others that have significant challenges.
I have never met anyone that has said that autism is a blessing.
I do not consider autism as a blessing or a benefit.
For some, social skills is the main challenge. For others, its everything including social skills.
To answer Anonymous 2:34PM.
Yes I would. If you or a loved one has MS, parkinson's or alzheimers. They they need to know how to live with it. They can hate it but it's going to be there if they hate it or not.
Harold,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting these comments. Your site is very informative. I have gotten to know and love Conor through this site. I wish he did not have autism.
What you are doing makes a difference.
I think your 6:00 a.m. is wonderful! :)
ReplyDeleteSo I am curious anon 10:25PM, you would consider, for instance, Parkinson's disease (another neurological disorder due to damage within the system) who that person actually is and not a disease that the person has? If so you're very wrong. This is what is wrong with the neurodiverse sending the message out to he world that autism is just part of the person. Our kids suffer as long as people believe this message.
ReplyDeleteSorry but I am sickened by that attitude to no end.