The article that's being passed around today is about autism (of course)

[conuly]

Specifically, the interview with Sigourney Weaver and her part in that movie, the name of which I can never remember.

Comments

[luckycee.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I've worked with kids with Autism for many years now, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about this article.

On the one hand, yeah, we all have quirks and habits and anxieties. I have a touch of OCD sometimes, in that I need pictures straightened and rooms tidy. So the article helps to humanize a condition that seems alien to most.

On the other hand, Autism is a huge barrier for most people who have it, and I couldn't even imagine the struggle to communicate it creates. So the article seems to minimize the devastation to families that happens so often.

So I don't know.

[conuly]

Are you under the impression that most of the autistics who don't want a cure are "mildly impaired"? Because that's untrue. I really don't have the energy to hunt down links at the moment, but you can probably find some stuff by hanging around here and waiting for somebody else, or by googling.

[luckycee.livejournal.com]

No, I don't think I was thinking that. Whether anyone wants to be "cured" of anything is really none of my business. I'd support anyone's decision either way.

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

It depends.

My son, who you would call 'low functioning', yeah, a cure or something might be good, or at least the ability to communicate on an age appropriate level and live independently are my goals for him.

My OTHER son, who has an educational DX of Aspergers, asked yesterday what Aspergers is. (He knows he may or may not have it, that we're dancing around these things but not rushing to get it.) After explaining it to him, and him deciding which symptoms he may or may not have, he decided that Aspergers is COOL, because Aspergers will probably make him VERY successful. Because, really, the traits of Aspergers that he has, go the career direction he wants and will help him out, and in fact already does at his age (eight), making him a very successful student. The problems he DOES have, simple therapy helps with adjustments. Just like any other kid. You fix what doesn't work for the family but leave alone what is ok.

[luckycee.livejournal.com]

I think you have it exactly right. And I also think that you have some pretty cool kids there.

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

After I asked him, he was a little upset, this is something we are still struggling with, but then went upstairs to design another paper airplane (he focuses on a FEW things, not just one).

At this rate he knows and wouldn't mind designing things like that for a living. An aerospace engineer -- not a bad thing, really. Better than I am doing. ;)

And one of his reasons for wanting to do something like that is to have a good job so he can take care of his brother if he needs it. He said Teddy can live with him, if Teddy wants, when he grows up. Even if Finbar has a family of his own. Yes, we actually talked about this. We talk a lot. Not in a mournful way, but talks like this come as naturally as talking about the weather or how do people make money when they discover oil or can we go to the park PLEASE...if this comment hasn't shown you, I can be a rambly person and we are all used to it. ;)

Oh and for the spectrum-signs I show (as parents often do), there is one I would like to get rid of, and that is executive dysfunction, I would CURE THAT IN A MINUTE because it is detrimental to my life. And that is one of the ones Finbar doesnt like either. (Call it extreme disorganization for starters!)

[wakasplat.livejournal.com]

I've been officially labeled low-functioning (who knows why, but it's the only one I've gotten), and I don't understand at all why people say "cure you people but not aspies" or something. I mean, communication systems are good, but communication systems don't require a cure.

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

Well I'm saying the thing I WOULD change (which is why I put cure in quotes -- or I think I did) would be his inability to communicate on any sort of effective level. He never got called high or low by any one, but for the sake of discussion it helps differentiate between him and my other son, or him and other people on the spectrum. I would change any thing that would help him live independently and avoid exploitation and abuse. Goals that I have for ALL my children, on or off the spectrum. And if we really want to get cheesy, for all of humanity.

And I would even trade 'fully independent' for at least able to avoid abuse and exploitation, and just be happy. The only true problem with him being dependent on others is the possibility of abuse. Especially if he has a hard time communicating. Right now, he can barely communicate at all. Right now he can request items or activities, that's about it. And with pictures, we still don't have enough to be specific enough, he doesn't have enough 'words' yet. How unfair to him if we don't have what he needs to get what he wants. (Which is why I have GOT to find the URL for the free boardmaker like pics. AAAH.)

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

I just asked him specifically and he said no. (If he wanted to change it.) He was sitting around so I figured, hey, let's ask him. :D

And I have seen articles that minimize families of kids like my youngest. This wasn't one of them. I have outright been called abusive for sending my son to speech and occupational therapy by one nutter. Singled out and told I should leave the youngest alone and see what happens. THOSE people are creepy and scary. This article was ok.

[(Anonymous)]

Hmmm. I've worked with kids with Autism for many years now, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about this article.

On the one hand, yeah, we all have quirks and habits and anxieties. I have a touch of OCD sometimes, in that I need pictures straightened and rooms tidy. So the article helps to humanize a condition that seems alien to most.

On the other hand, Autism is a huge barrier for most people who have it, and I couldn't even imagine the struggle to communicate it creates. So the article seems to minimize the devastation to families that happens so often.

So I don't know.

[conuly]

Are you under the impression that most of the autistics who don't want a cure are "mildly impaired"? Because that's untrue. I really don't have the energy to hunt down links at the moment, but you can probably find some stuff by hanging around here and waiting for somebody else, or by googling.

[(Anonymous)]

No, I don't think I was thinking that. Whether anyone wants to be "cured" of anything is really none of my business. I'd support anyone's decision either way.

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

It depends.

My son, who you would call 'low functioning', yeah, a cure or something might be good, or at least the ability to communicate on an age appropriate level and live independently are my goals for him.

My OTHER son, who has an educational DX of Aspergers, asked yesterday what Aspergers is. (He knows he may or may not have it, that we're dancing around these things but not rushing to get it.) After explaining it to him, and him deciding which symptoms he may or may not have, he decided that Aspergers is COOL, because Aspergers will probably make him VERY successful. Because, really, the traits of Aspergers that he has, go the career direction he wants and will help him out, and in fact already does at his age (eight), making him a very successful student. The problems he DOES have, simple therapy helps with adjustments. Just like any other kid. You fix what doesn't work for the family but leave alone what is ok.

[(Anonymous)]

I think you have it exactly right. And I also think that you have some pretty cool kids there.

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

After I asked him, he was a little upset, this is something we are still struggling with, but then went upstairs to design another paper airplane (he focuses on a FEW things, not just one).

At this rate he knows and wouldn't mind designing things like that for a living. An aerospace engineer -- not a bad thing, really. Better than I am doing. ;)

And one of his reasons for wanting to do something like that is to have a good job so he can take care of his brother if he needs it. He said Teddy can live with him, if Teddy wants, when he grows up. Even if Finbar has a family of his own. Yes, we actually talked about this. We talk a lot. Not in a mournful way, but talks like this come as naturally as talking about the weather or how do people make money when they discover oil or can we go to the park PLEASE...if this comment hasn't shown you, I can be a rambly person and we are all used to it. ;)

Oh and for the spectrum-signs I show (as parents often do), there is one I would like to get rid of, and that is executive dysfunction, I would CURE THAT IN A MINUTE because it is detrimental to my life. And that is one of the ones Finbar doesnt like either. (Call it extreme disorganization for starters!)

[wakasplat.livejournal.com]

I've been officially labeled low-functioning (who knows why, but it's the only one I've gotten), and I don't understand at all why people say "cure you people but not aspies" or something. I mean, communication systems are good, but communication systems don't require a cure.

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

Well I'm saying the thing I WOULD change (which is why I put cure in quotes -- or I think I did) would be his inability to communicate on any sort of effective level. He never got called high or low by any one, but for the sake of discussion it helps differentiate between him and my other son, or him and other people on the spectrum. I would change any thing that would help him live independently and avoid exploitation and abuse. Goals that I have for ALL my children, on or off the spectrum. And if we really want to get cheesy, for all of humanity.

And I would even trade 'fully independent' for at least able to avoid abuse and exploitation, and just be happy. The only true problem with him being dependent on others is the possibility of abuse. Especially if he has a hard time communicating. Right now, he can barely communicate at all. Right now he can request items or activities, that's about it. And with pictures, we still don't have enough to be specific enough, he doesn't have enough 'words' yet. How unfair to him if we don't have what he needs to get what he wants. (Which is why I have GOT to find the URL for the free boardmaker like pics. AAAH.)

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

I just asked him specifically and he said no. (If he wanted to change it.) He was sitting around so I figured, hey, let's ask him. :D

And I have seen articles that minimize families of kids like my youngest. This wasn't one of them. I have outright been called abusive for sending my son to speech and occupational therapy by one nutter. Singled out and told I should leave the youngest alone and see what happens. THOSE people are creepy and scary. This article was ok.