I chose the name of my email account "AutismRealityNB@gmail.com" because, from my perspective, the harsh realities of autism disorders are usually ignored or worse, intentionally misrepresented, by the mainstream media, autism awareness organizations, some high functioning autism "self"advocates and even some parents and autism professionals. An online friend of mine who shares similar perspectives, Roger Kulp, shared an article on my Facebook timeline yesterday which surprised me because it was a commentary published in the New Jersey Courier-Post which presented a realistic view of some of the harsher realities faced by some with autism disorders and their families.
James Terminiello is the father of a 26 year old autistic
son. His commentary, Reality of autism is often very grim, describes in detail many of the harsher realities faced by
those with autism disorders and their families and other caregivers.
Terminiello pulls no punches and will quite possibly incur the wrath of those
who wish to paint autism as a pretty picture of alternative thinking and
unusual genius:
"In the world of autism, the autistic who pens short stories, designs
bicycles, plays a mean piano or builds his own advocacy website gets the
lion's share of media attention. And it has gotten out of hand.
As a result, in the public eye, what was once regarded as a
future-annihilating, invincible condition has become just a quirky
little detour on the merry road to success.
Very nice and very, very untrue."
I will not re-post Terminiello's entire commentary here but I strongly encourage anyone who wants a realistic view of autism disorder realities to read it on the Courier-Post. And the next time you read a feel good story about the wonders and accomplishments of the more fortunate with autism remember there are many, many more whose lives, and the lives of their families and caregivers are actually impaired, restricted and shortened by autism disorders.
6 comments:
What if the story said that the child was diagnosed with severe autism and intellectual delay and received intensive ABA therapy and is now a success. Shouldn't this story be told? It will push parents to demand their goverment implement intensive ABA and will eliminate severe adult autism.
Anonymous 3:48 pm:
The NJ father who authored the referenced article did not say that success stories should not be published. The point of the article is that there is very little balance in reports of autism ... that success stories dominate news coverage while little is said about the grim realities facing those with severe or low functioning autism, their families or caregivers.
I am thoroughly convinced that the outside world will never want to read about the realities of severe autism. Even looking at the world of blogging the only good autism blogs that detail the reality we live every day are your blog, Autism Daddy and Alisa Rock's Autism Experience.
It appears the "self diagnosed" individuals and mommies bragging about their high functioning kids have slowly but surely brainwashed the public into believing this is what autism is for everyone. These are the people who then write books and spread the message of how "cool" autism is even further. I honestly wish they could walk a day in our shoes. They are ignorant and arrogant people who will never care about any other end of the spectrum but their own.
This is exactly our lives Harold. Also this is all I see as our future. There is hope and there is reality. You try to have one but you accept the other begrudgingly. This guy hit it square on the head. Cam.
This is exactly our lives Harold. Also this is all I see as our future. There is hope and there is reality. You try to have one but you accept the other begrudgingly. This guy hit it square on the head. Cam.
Another great post! I believe your blog deserves much more recognition than "Autism Daddy"! I do not follow that blog but I have seen it. I prefer to continue to recommend yours and I hit that Google button all the time! All the best!
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