A post about the effects of institutions on autistics

[conuly]

Right here.

Though I'm sure these results can apply to more than just one group of people, of course.

Comments

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

I am still interpreting it differently. No treatment = institution. Treatment = staying out of one.

And I have yet to see a doctor, therapist, social worker, anyone say to me or any of the parents I know (really no, not internet know) even mention that institutionalization is an option. In fact, many of the dollars are spent with it in writing that the goal is being in the community. You could also say "feeding your kids doritos every meal is a bad option" but why would a doctor say that if it hasn't even come up? "Here is your treatment plan, note there is no institution in it because they are bad! Also, there are no doritos in the treatment plan because, they're bad too."

Maybe other states warehouse their kids but this one doesn't. Also, my two friends in NYC in the same boat as me (kids who have a very real chance of not being independent) never had institutionalization brought up.

I'm really curious now, I should ask my flist if institutionalization was ever brought up first by a medical professional, and if so, under what circumstances. I honestly wonder where and why they do that.

[conuly]

But the way you're reading it, as you said in your first comment, simply doesn't make sense. It reads as though the guy totally changes his opinion in the last paragraph.

And you say that you brought up institutions to your doctors. Why didn't they, when you brought it up, very clearly say it was a bad idea - instead of saying "it may not be necessary"?

And your reading wouldn't make sense without the rest of the entry either. Look.

Not institutionalizing autistic children when they are young doesn't guarantee independence and employment, of course.

(Translation: Keeping kids out of institutions isn't a cure-all either, of course.)

But it appears to be practically a requirement if that sort of outcome is to be attained.

(Translation: However, it seems that just about nobody in institutions does well.)

Note that Kanner reached this conclusion after analyzing 96 cases, not just the 11 mentioned.

(Translation: People realized this decades ago.)

Now, why is it that strong warnings against institutionalization are not issued by doctors and other professionals?

(Translation: Why don't doctors make that clear? or Doctors should make that clear.)

Why is it that instead some autism associations give the impression that institutionalization is indicated unless there's treatment?

(Translation: Why do some organizations (which should not be read as all organizations) say that the only choices are treatment or institutions, when that's not the case at all?)

I really don't understand how you're reading this to say that he advocates a treatment/institution dichotemy.

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

Which is what I said in my initial comment, that it made no sense, that the two paragraphs conflicted.

I am reading it different then you, if you say it reads that way, it makes sense. Perhaps the writing isn't clear enough for everyone. I cannot comprehend it.1

An as far as institutionalizing my son, it wasn't like that, I did not give you the details of the conversation, it had to do with what would happen if we were not alive and there was no one to care for him. Is it prudent to make financial arrangements for him, is there a chance he may never live independently? The answer to that was yes. I suppose he could try to live independently and be homeless worst case, but why would the doctor say NO! BAD FOR YOU TO PUT MONEY ASIDE, YOUR KID WILL BE FINE.

In fact I am a bit annoyed that the future was NOT brought up, as you have to plan in advance for the sorts of trusts needed for a child who may not be able to live independently.

Other than that, I still say I have not seen anyone suggest it, say it is a good idea, and that includes advocacy organizations. I'm not too deep with the organizations, though.

[conuly]

It's not that people say it's a good idea, it's that certain organizations repeat falsehoods about the number of autistics in institutions, and imply that there's an either/or choice.