2010 Autism Picture of the Year

Robert Capovilla, right, is reunited with his family Sunday night, a day after the autistic teenager went missing, prompting a huge police search. Aunt Margaret Saracino and father Adriano Capovilla reach for Robert on his return home.

RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR

The best "autism" picture I saw in the mainstream media during 2010 is the Rick Madonik/Toronto Star picture, above,  of Robert Capovilla,  a young, low functioning autistic man,  shown being reunited with his parents after being lost in downtown Toronto, in biting cold weather,  for more than 24 hours.  

The picture speaks for itself.

The Joy of Conor, January - April 2009

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Yes Mom I REALLY Am Taller Than You

Conor leaves no room for doubt. He really is taller than Mom. And at 13 he has lots of time to zoom by Dad too.

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The Joy of Conor and the 7:10 Sun

Although I do not find joy in the fact that my son has Autistic Disorder I do find great joy in him every day. Daily routines often provide the context for that joy.

This morning as he does each day Conor got up at 7:10. I was already up and Conor, with no alarm clock going off in his room, awoke at exactly 7:10, as he often does, to show Dad the 7:10 sun.

The routine actually starts each evening when Conor is tucked in at night. We exchange some Good Nights and I Love You's. And Conor says "7:10 sun". I respond with "yes, see you at 7:10 sun". Then he gets up as he did today, to show Mom and Dad the 7:10 sun. We pull the curtains back on the living room window and view the 7:10 sun with Conor.

Ending Conor's day by tucking him in, looking forward to the 7:10 sun, and then starting the next day with him at 7:10 sun is a warm routine that brings great joy in our house.

The Joy of Conor and the 7:10 sun.

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What Does "Positive" Autism Awareness Mean?

What exactly does "positive" autism awareness mean? Is that concept consistent with "realistic" autism awareness?

I have already expressed my concern that the realities and challenges faced by the severely autistic may not be reflected on Autism twitter Day next Tuesday, December 16. Bonnie/AutismFamily, the force behind Autism Twitter Day, responded to those concerns by reference to her own child.

Still I can't help but wonder when I see the adjective "positive" used to describe autism awareness whether it is an attempt to censor the discussion, to promote an unrealistic, feel good picture of autism like that promoted on Autism Vox, LeftBrain/Right Brain and other "Autism" Hub, neurodiversity sites.

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Autism Twitter Day Should Include Severe, Low Functioning, Autistic Disorder Realities

December 16, 2008 will be Autism Twitter Day, an excellent idea from Bonnie Sayers/autism family.

I hope though that Autism Twitter Day, in an effort to be positive, does not exclude the severely autistic - those persons with Autistic Disorder who are low functioning and cognitively impaired.


On Autism Twitter Day let us not forget those persons with Autistic Disorder who live their adult lives dependent on the care of others, some in full institutional care. Let us not forget those autistic persons who do not appear regularly in the mainstream media to espouse grand agendas. Let us not forget those persons with autistic disorder who bite or otherwise injure themselves or wander away from their homes, some found safely some not. Let us not forget those autistic persons whose families can no longer help them and care for them and are left with no choice but to give them up to the care of the state.

On Autism Twitter Day let us not forget those for whom the "autism" spectrum is named.

Let us include those with severe Autistic Disorder on Autism Twitter Day,

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Conor's Perfect Day

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