http://autisticgenius.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/autism-in-the-media-again/ Just another WordPress.com weblog Wed, 22 Apr 2009 07:02:27 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://autisticgenius.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/autism-in-the-media-again/#comment-573 liz Mon, 05 May 2008 15:09:46 +0000 http://autisticgenius.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/autism-in-the-media-again/#comment-573 I enjoyed your post. Having a brother with Aspergers as well as having a daughter of my own with low functioning (classic) autism, I have seen both ends of the spectrum and strongly believe that autism as a whole is completely misunderstood by the general population. Both ends of the spectrum are misrepresented in the media (most people are curious to hear the stories but don't want to have to change the way they think) and the education system although improved from 25 years ago still has some major flaws. The high functioning individuals will always struggle against unfair expectation because they appear "normal" and complaints that they receive services and supports that others feel they do not need. The families with low functioning children get to hear about how their children are a drain on funding that could be used to help children "who could REALLY benefit from services" or more commonly (because optimistic advice is much more socially acceptable) "Oh, my cousin has a friend who works with a person who has an autistic child and they have him him on a special diet now and you wouldn't even know he has "a problem"... you should call them, I'm sure they could help you with your daughter". Regardless of where on the spectrum a child is many of the issues we face as families are the same across the board...bullying, rude people, stress about our child's future/safety, worry that they are getting appropriate education, balancing family, the daily ongoing challenges of autism etc. Unfortunately, autism itself is such a loaded topic that it would take a whole month of Oprah to give it accurate representation and even more unfortunate is that people really don't want to know that much. With great knowledge comes responsibility or guilt and very few want either. You are very right about more emphasis on sibling supports, they are a high risk group for all kinds of issues. They have knowledge, responsibility, (and often guilt as well) thrust upon them from an early age and need help to balance that with their own natural development. Again, I enjoyed the post...sorry about the rambling :) I enjoyed your post. Having a brother with Aspergers as well as having a daughter of my own with low functioning (classic) autism, I have seen both ends of the spectrum and strongly believe that autism as a whole is completely misunderstood by the general population. Both ends of the spectrum are misrepresented in the media (most people are curious to hear the stories but don’t want to have to change the way they think) and the education system although improved from 25 years ago still has some major flaws.
The high functioning individuals will always struggle against unfair expectation because they appear “normal” and complaints that they receive services and supports that others feel they do not need. The families with low functioning children get to hear about how their children are a drain on funding that could be used to help children “who could REALLY benefit from services” or more commonly (because optimistic advice is much more socially acceptable) “Oh, my cousin has a friend who works with a person who has an autistic child and they have him him on a special diet now and you wouldn’t even know he has “a problem”… you should call them, I’m sure they could help you with your daughter”.
Regardless of where on the spectrum a child is many of the issues we face as families are the same across the board…bullying, rude people, stress about our child’s future/safety, worry that they are getting appropriate education, balancing family, the daily ongoing challenges of autism etc. Unfortunately, autism itself is such a loaded topic that it would take a whole month of Oprah to give it accurate representation and even more unfortunate is that people really don’t want to know that much. With great knowledge comes responsibility or guilt and very few want either. You are very right about more emphasis on sibling supports, they are a high risk group for all kinds of issues. They have knowledge, responsibility, (and often guilt as well) thrust upon them from an early age and need help to balance that with their own natural development.
Again, I enjoyed the post…sorry about the rambling

]]> http://autisticgenius.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/autism-in-the-media-again/#comment-385 Dirtylilly Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:13:47 +0000 http://autisticgenius.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/autism-in-the-media-again/#comment-385 Nice post, bookmark it Nice post, bookmark it

]]> http://autisticgenius.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/autism-in-the-media-again/#comment-59 Johanna O'Toole Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:26:20 +0000 http://autisticgenius.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/autism-in-the-media-again/#comment-59 I wanted to know what channel it is going to be on April 22 @ 8:30pm. I live in pasco county (zephryhills, FL) so was wandering what channel it will be on so that I can tell others and watch it myself. Thank you! I wanted to know what channel it is going to be on April 22 @ 8:30pm. I live in pasco county (zephryhills, FL) so was wandering what channel it will be on so that I can tell others and watch it myself. Thank you!

]]>