Autism was never something that I would have thought about and felt a sense of passion. It was never an issue that I felt so strongly about that I wanted to make a change. Like most of us, I had preconceived ideas about what autistic children looked like an acted like. I remember meeting an adult with autism and actually feeling discomfort; it was as if he was not even human. It’s sad that as a society we feel uncomfortable when faced with differences. It wasn't until after becoming a behavior specialist that these stereotypical views broke down.
I was recently talking to a close friend of mine who said “He doesn’t look autistic,” when shown a picture of a little boy I work with. I had to stop and think for a moment about what she meant by this. She then admitted to confusing autism with Down syndrome. It is in moments like this when I feel that passion to help people like my friend recognize the issues surrounding autism. When I am faced with people like this, I want to show them that there is no “typical” autistic child. All children with autism are affected in different ways, and while there are certain behaviors that characterize autism, there is no specific physical attributes making it obvious that a child has autism.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Autistic vs. Typically Developing
Is there really anyway to tell a person is autistic simply from looking at them? Many people feel like they can immediately tell someone has a developmental disability just by looking at them. So let's see...out of the three children which one is typically developing?...
Published Piece
I have been trying very hard to get a piece of writing published in a health related publication. I have decided to send it out to Choices Magazine which is a publication that is sent out to all households that are covered by Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Rhode Island. I put together a bunch of information, quotes, and stories that I have relating to autism in order to come up with something that might be appropriate for publishing. Here's what I came up with...
I watched him run over to the teacher with a huge smile. He was overjoyed to be here today. “Come here, Kristen!” he yelled. I quickly ran over to his side, as he grabbed my hand and waited in excitement. He began waving his arms, a little something he likes to do when he is flushed with emotion. The other children stood around pushing their way to see. I heard two of the little girls yelling at each other, “It’s my turn!” I could tell he wanted to bust through this circle of little kids and see what the teacher had hiding in her giant box, but he knew to wait. He kept looking in my direction, then at the box, then back at me again. One of the children came up behind him and grabbed a lock of his hair. I’m sure you could imagine my initial reaction; I braced myself for a screaming child. Instead, he turned around and politely said, “No thank you!” I had to laugh to myself because I know if someone pulled my hair when I was younger, I might have had a different reaction than a simple “No, thank you.” As the teacher revealed the animal, I watched the other children jumping over one another to get a turn. He just sat there waiting. I was amazed as I watched him pet the chinchilla. He took notice to the tiniest of details; the color of the fur, the little claws. He asked questions about what he eats and where he lives. As I looked around the room at all the other children pushing their way in, not sharing, and yelling at one another, I thought to myself, “Who’s the ‘normal’ children in this group?
This is a question that seems to linger over the heads of families with autistic children. As a society, we seem to have preconceived ideas on what the “typical” autistic child looks like and acts like. But is it actually possible to categorize these individuals into such a broad group? All children with autism are affected by the disorder in different ways. The degrees of autism vary greatly from child to child. The lack of public awareness is the one thing holding us back from progressing and accepting these individuals for who they are.
A woman with an autistic child once told me, “I feel like people can be so ignorant. When I bring my child to the doctor’s office, of course he can’t sit still. He likes to flick the light switches and investigate everything in the waiting room. To me, this is typical child behavior, but then I see the looks. The parents look at me like ‘Man, control your child.’ The thing is, they have no idea. They judge without anything to back it up.”
It is statements like this that bring into perspective the gravity of the situation; the complete absence of awareness and acceptance. It is important that we improve the lives of those with autism, while also helping those who do not understand it take on a different view. Those who do not have children with autism, or do not even know someone with autism may find it difficult to empathize with others. By allowing these so-called “outsiders” to understand the issues, a sense of awareness can be achieved.
Autism is growing approximately 15 percent each year. Along with this, autism affects about 1 in every 100 births; and with this, boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States, and more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. When our culture is faced with something as serious as the growing number of children with autism, they immediately decide that the only route to take is finding a way to cure it. What we don’t realize is that the government spends over $35 billion annually on research, while there is yet to be a finding for a cure. Why not put some of this money towards educating those who know nothing about the disorder?
It is important that we begin to recognize what these children and their families go through on a day-to-day basis. With days filled with early intervention services, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, these children are faced with constant mountains to climb. However, they continue to laugh hard and show incredible love and affection. It is through these children and adults with autism that we can learn to appreciate the smaller things in life.
Temple Grandin, Ph.D., author of 6 best sellers and one of the most well-known women with autism once said, “If I could snap my fingers and be non-autistic, I would not - because then I wouldn't be me. Autism is part of who I am."
I watched him run over to the teacher with a huge smile. He was overjoyed to be here today. “Come here, Kristen!” he yelled. I quickly ran over to his side, as he grabbed my hand and waited in excitement. He began waving his arms, a little something he likes to do when he is flushed with emotion. The other children stood around pushing their way to see. I heard two of the little girls yelling at each other, “It’s my turn!” I could tell he wanted to bust through this circle of little kids and see what the teacher had hiding in her giant box, but he knew to wait. He kept looking in my direction, then at the box, then back at me again. One of the children came up behind him and grabbed a lock of his hair. I’m sure you could imagine my initial reaction; I braced myself for a screaming child. Instead, he turned around and politely said, “No thank you!” I had to laugh to myself because I know if someone pulled my hair when I was younger, I might have had a different reaction than a simple “No, thank you.” As the teacher revealed the animal, I watched the other children jumping over one another to get a turn. He just sat there waiting. I was amazed as I watched him pet the chinchilla. He took notice to the tiniest of details; the color of the fur, the little claws. He asked questions about what he eats and where he lives. As I looked around the room at all the other children pushing their way in, not sharing, and yelling at one another, I thought to myself, “Who’s the ‘normal’ children in this group?
This is a question that seems to linger over the heads of families with autistic children. As a society, we seem to have preconceived ideas on what the “typical” autistic child looks like and acts like. But is it actually possible to categorize these individuals into such a broad group? All children with autism are affected by the disorder in different ways. The degrees of autism vary greatly from child to child. The lack of public awareness is the one thing holding us back from progressing and accepting these individuals for who they are.
A woman with an autistic child once told me, “I feel like people can be so ignorant. When I bring my child to the doctor’s office, of course he can’t sit still. He likes to flick the light switches and investigate everything in the waiting room. To me, this is typical child behavior, but then I see the looks. The parents look at me like ‘Man, control your child.’ The thing is, they have no idea. They judge without anything to back it up.”
It is statements like this that bring into perspective the gravity of the situation; the complete absence of awareness and acceptance. It is important that we improve the lives of those with autism, while also helping those who do not understand it take on a different view. Those who do not have children with autism, or do not even know someone with autism may find it difficult to empathize with others. By allowing these so-called “outsiders” to understand the issues, a sense of awareness can be achieved.
Autism is growing approximately 15 percent each year. Along with this, autism affects about 1 in every 100 births; and with this, boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States, and more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. When our culture is faced with something as serious as the growing number of children with autism, they immediately decide that the only route to take is finding a way to cure it. What we don’t realize is that the government spends over $35 billion annually on research, while there is yet to be a finding for a cure. Why not put some of this money towards educating those who know nothing about the disorder?
It is important that we begin to recognize what these children and their families go through on a day-to-day basis. With days filled with early intervention services, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, these children are faced with constant mountains to climb. However, they continue to laugh hard and show incredible love and affection. It is through these children and adults with autism that we can learn to appreciate the smaller things in life.
Temple Grandin, Ph.D., author of 6 best sellers and one of the most well-known women with autism once said, “If I could snap my fingers and be non-autistic, I would not - because then I wouldn't be me. Autism is part of who I am."
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Letter to Rhode Island House of Representatives
Dear Representative:
I am writing to voice my concerns about the proposed budget cuts to the developmentally disabled services. As you know, the Governor has directed that all State Departments reduce their spending by 2.7%. In the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals, this budget cut would reduce the money needed for developmentally disabled services by $5.6 million a year. These cuts would compromise the quality of care that the individuals need and truly deserve.
I currently work for Perspectives Corporation. We support over 400 individuals with varying degrees of developmental disabilities. I work as a behavior specialist, providing early intervention therapy to young children diagnosed with autism. I witness first hand the affects of this developmental disability on both the children and their families. Through my work, I am able to observe the growth and immense progress that these children make on a day to day basis.
Not including the many other organizations in the state that provide similar services, this budget cut would equal $220,000 per month for Perspectives Corporation alone. There are numerous ramifications on the individuals and the company if this cut is allowed. There would be less staffing and therapeutic services for the disabled, creating potential safety issues for both the individuals and the community. Along with this, there would be an inevitable reduction in choices for those seeking services. These children and adults with developmental disabilities are already so limited. Why limit them even more by taking away a therapy that helps them progress so immensely?
Through research it has been proven that the affects of autism can be greatly improved upon in time with treatment such as early intervention services and other therapeutic services. This therapy is extremely important for the growth of these individuals. It allows them the opportunity to reduce their autistic symptoms, while also allowing them to keep their sense of self. Those with autism can grow and live healthy lives. It gives children the opportunity to actually be mainstreamed into a public school system and adults the opportunity to become active community members.
If you support this budget cut, so many people will be denied the opportunity for a better future. I am asking for your help. The health and safety of the people we support is at risk if Perspectives is forced to absorb more cuts. We need your help in preserving services for the developmentally disabled.
I am writing to voice my concerns about the proposed budget cuts to the developmentally disabled services. As you know, the Governor has directed that all State Departments reduce their spending by 2.7%. In the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals, this budget cut would reduce the money needed for developmentally disabled services by $5.6 million a year. These cuts would compromise the quality of care that the individuals need and truly deserve.
I currently work for Perspectives Corporation. We support over 400 individuals with varying degrees of developmental disabilities. I work as a behavior specialist, providing early intervention therapy to young children diagnosed with autism. I witness first hand the affects of this developmental disability on both the children and their families. Through my work, I am able to observe the growth and immense progress that these children make on a day to day basis.
Not including the many other organizations in the state that provide similar services, this budget cut would equal $220,000 per month for Perspectives Corporation alone. There are numerous ramifications on the individuals and the company if this cut is allowed. There would be less staffing and therapeutic services for the disabled, creating potential safety issues for both the individuals and the community. Along with this, there would be an inevitable reduction in choices for those seeking services. These children and adults with developmental disabilities are already so limited. Why limit them even more by taking away a therapy that helps them progress so immensely?
Through research it has been proven that the affects of autism can be greatly improved upon in time with treatment such as early intervention services and other therapeutic services. This therapy is extremely important for the growth of these individuals. It allows them the opportunity to reduce their autistic symptoms, while also allowing them to keep their sense of self. Those with autism can grow and live healthy lives. It gives children the opportunity to actually be mainstreamed into a public school system and adults the opportunity to become active community members.
If you support this budget cut, so many people will be denied the opportunity for a better future. I am asking for your help. The health and safety of the people we support is at risk if Perspectives is forced to absorb more cuts. We need your help in preserving services for the developmentally disabled.
Letter to Pro-Cure Activist
Here is a letter that I wrote and sent to an organization that claims themselves to be pro-cure when it comes to autism. I wrote this letter with hopes that I could actually make a change...
Dear Anonymous,
I am writing to you in order to propose a change. I want organizations that put all of their time and money into finding a cure for autism to realize the real issue at hand. There are so many people living in this world that are completely ignorant to the issues surrounding autism. They judge without knowing; they stare with questioning eyes. It is so important for society to recognize what autism truly is. Autism is a way of life. It is a variation in functioning. With pro-cure views, the money on research prevents autism from being seen as a way of life, but rather as a disease. Billions of dollars are going into the research of autism, while there is yet to be a consensus on the cause, and there are no specific findings on a cure. Through this fact alone, the idea of acceptance and awareness should be at the forefront.
I currently work as a behavior specialist, providing early intervention therapy to young children diagnosed with autism. I witness first hand the affects of this developmental disability on both the children and their families. Through my work, I am able to observe the growth and immense progress that these children make on a day to day basis. I have seen the ups and downs. While their lives are full of struggles, I also am able to view the passion that they have for life. With days filled with early intervention services, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, these children are faced with constant mountains to climb. However, they continue to laugh hard and show incredible love and affection. It is through these children with autism that I have learned to appreciate the smaller things in life.
Throughout the years, people continue to develop these preconceived ideas about what autism actually is. However, they do not fully understand the individuals and their specific cases. When society is faced with something as serious as the growing number of children with autism, they immediately decide that the only route to take is finding a way to cure it. That is why more efforts need to be placed on educating those who have not been directly affected by autism and helping autism become more accepted, rather than simply a misunderstood disease.
I am asking you to consider all of this in order to make alternate decisions on how to inform the public on the issues surrounding autism. Take into consideration the possibility of allocating more funds into educational programs on the acceptance and awareness of autism. I am not suggesting that the idea of finding a cure should be completely eliminated from view. However, those lacking knowledge need to be better informed while a cure has yet to be found.
Yours Truly
Dear Anonymous,
I am writing to you in order to propose a change. I want organizations that put all of their time and money into finding a cure for autism to realize the real issue at hand. There are so many people living in this world that are completely ignorant to the issues surrounding autism. They judge without knowing; they stare with questioning eyes. It is so important for society to recognize what autism truly is. Autism is a way of life. It is a variation in functioning. With pro-cure views, the money on research prevents autism from being seen as a way of life, but rather as a disease. Billions of dollars are going into the research of autism, while there is yet to be a consensus on the cause, and there are no specific findings on a cure. Through this fact alone, the idea of acceptance and awareness should be at the forefront.
I currently work as a behavior specialist, providing early intervention therapy to young children diagnosed with autism. I witness first hand the affects of this developmental disability on both the children and their families. Through my work, I am able to observe the growth and immense progress that these children make on a day to day basis. I have seen the ups and downs. While their lives are full of struggles, I also am able to view the passion that they have for life. With days filled with early intervention services, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, these children are faced with constant mountains to climb. However, they continue to laugh hard and show incredible love and affection. It is through these children with autism that I have learned to appreciate the smaller things in life.
Throughout the years, people continue to develop these preconceived ideas about what autism actually is. However, they do not fully understand the individuals and their specific cases. When society is faced with something as serious as the growing number of children with autism, they immediately decide that the only route to take is finding a way to cure it. That is why more efforts need to be placed on educating those who have not been directly affected by autism and helping autism become more accepted, rather than simply a misunderstood disease.
I am asking you to consider all of this in order to make alternate decisions on how to inform the public on the issues surrounding autism. Take into consideration the possibility of allocating more funds into educational programs on the acceptance and awareness of autism. I am not suggesting that the idea of finding a cure should be completely eliminated from view. However, those lacking knowledge need to be better informed while a cure has yet to be found.
Yours Truly
Public Reactions
With pro-cure views, the money on research prevents autism from being seen as a way of life, but rather as a disease. Billions of dollars are going into the research of autism, while there is yet to be a consensus on the cause, and there are no specific findings on a cure. Through this fact alone, the idea of acceptance and awareness should be at the forefront.
It is through personal experience that I see the reactions of people when they see a child with autism acting out, or doing something out of the ordinary. The reactions of those who have not been directly affected by autism are what continually prove the lack of understanding that our society has. A parent of one of the children I provide services to told me all about the struggles of bringing her child out into a society of people who misunderstand the nature of autism.
“I feel like people can be so ignorant. When I bring my child to the doctor’s office, of course he can’t sit still. He likes to flick the light switches and investigate everything in the waiting room. To me, this is typical child behavior, but then I see the looks. The parents look at me like ‘Man, control your child.’ The thing is, they have no idea. They judge without anything to back it up”
It is statements like this that bring into perspective the gravity of the situation; the complete absence of awareness and acceptance. It is important that we improve the lives of those with autism, while also helping those who do not understand it take on a different view. Those who do not have children with autism, or do not even know someone with autism may find it difficult to empathize with others. By allowing these so-called “outsiders” to understand the issues, a sense of awareness can be achieved.
It is through personal experience that I see the reactions of people when they see a child with autism acting out, or doing something out of the ordinary. The reactions of those who have not been directly affected by autism are what continually prove the lack of understanding that our society has. A parent of one of the children I provide services to told me all about the struggles of bringing her child out into a society of people who misunderstand the nature of autism.
“I feel like people can be so ignorant. When I bring my child to the doctor’s office, of course he can’t sit still. He likes to flick the light switches and investigate everything in the waiting room. To me, this is typical child behavior, but then I see the looks. The parents look at me like ‘Man, control your child.’ The thing is, they have no idea. They judge without anything to back it up”
It is statements like this that bring into perspective the gravity of the situation; the complete absence of awareness and acceptance. It is important that we improve the lives of those with autism, while also helping those who do not understand it take on a different view. Those who do not have children with autism, or do not even know someone with autism may find it difficult to empathize with others. By allowing these so-called “outsiders” to understand the issues, a sense of awareness can be achieved.
The Other Side: Pro-Cure Views
There are numerous organizations that continually put there time and money into fighting for a cure. Like most other organizations focused on autism, these pro-cure activist groups are typically run by those who have experienced the affects of autism first hand through the diagnosis of family members. These groups look at autism as a mental disorder that needs to be cured in order to prevent further suffering of families and children. The United States government currently spends approximately $35 billion dollars annually on research into autism.
Currently there are major budget cuts being made in the Early Intervention Therapy programs in Rhode Island. The lives of these families and children are being directly affected by these government actions. If this therapy significantly improves the future for these children, then why is this being taken away? The money being put out by the government for research and the search for a cure is completely disproportionate to the money that is being taken away from these therapy programs. The search for a cure has made the idea of acceptance and awareness a subordinate issue.
Currently there are major budget cuts being made in the Early Intervention Therapy programs in Rhode Island. The lives of these families and children are being directly affected by these government actions. If this therapy significantly improves the future for these children, then why is this being taken away? The money being put out by the government for research and the search for a cure is completely disproportionate to the money that is being taken away from these therapy programs. The search for a cure has made the idea of acceptance and awareness a subordinate issue.
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