1 in 91 children have autism
1 in 58 are boys
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability
More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than cancer, diabetes, Downs Syndrome and AIDS combined.
Approximately 1 million individuals in the US have autism
An average family with a child with autism will need to fund 3 to 8 million dollars of services throughout the lifetime of the child.
Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade
There is no concensus amoung doctors and scientists on what causes autism
There are many treatments for autism, including early intervention therapies. However, a person cannot grow out of autism.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Temple Grandin
If you ever get the chance to watch the movie Temple Grandin, I would really suggest it. It makes you look at autism and diversity, in general in such a different way. One of the families I work for suggested that I watch the movie, and it really did change me.
Temple Grandin is one of the most accomplished women with autism in the world. She grew up with many communcation struggles, and was nonverbal for a large part of her life. Her parents were told that she would be institutionalized because she was so severe. However, she overcame all of the struggles in her life. She now has a PhD and is an author and public speaker.
Temple Grandin is so inspirational because she breaks down all barriers and has never allowed herself to fit into the mold of a "typical" person with autism.
Temple Grandin is one of the most accomplished women with autism in the world. She grew up with many communcation struggles, and was nonverbal for a large part of her life. Her parents were told that she would be institutionalized because she was so severe. However, she overcame all of the struggles in her life. She now has a PhD and is an author and public speaker.
Temple Grandin is so inspirational because she breaks down all barriers and has never allowed herself to fit into the mold of a "typical" person with autism.
Blessed...
Today I felt so blessed.
On a typical day, I go to homes and work one on one with my kids. The children work so hard...it's like having a full time job. I teach them all kinds of skills including reading and writing. But today, I got to take my little one out into the community for a play group. It was amazing to get to see him interacting with others; saying hi to the other kids with no hesitation; sharing his puzzle pieces with other normally developing children. It can be scary going out into the community for the first time because you are never really sure how a child will react to certain situations. The key is to never second guess...always have confidence in your child. There may be some speed bumps, but what child doesn't experience this?
I actually laughed to myself when I realized how worried I was about going to the play group. He has such an amazing personality for such a little boy. The teacher at the play group let the kids pet a chinchilla. My little one was incredible. He walked over to the animal so brave, (typical boy trying to act tough!) but he pet the animal with such ease. You could see him take notice to all the fine details like the fur color and the tiny feet. He waved his arms in excitement, and laughed so loud when the whiskers tickled his cheek.
I get so excited when I see my kids take new steps and make such progress. I love that I get to be involved in so much of their lives because I get to witness their growth from month to month, even day to day. You would think that with such hardships to overcome, they would be unhappy, but this is far from the case. I can actually say that on most days I am envious of their joy.
On a typical day, I go to homes and work one on one with my kids. The children work so hard...it's like having a full time job. I teach them all kinds of skills including reading and writing. But today, I got to take my little one out into the community for a play group. It was amazing to get to see him interacting with others; saying hi to the other kids with no hesitation; sharing his puzzle pieces with other normally developing children. It can be scary going out into the community for the first time because you are never really sure how a child will react to certain situations. The key is to never second guess...always have confidence in your child. There may be some speed bumps, but what child doesn't experience this?
I actually laughed to myself when I realized how worried I was about going to the play group. He has such an amazing personality for such a little boy. The teacher at the play group let the kids pet a chinchilla. My little one was incredible. He walked over to the animal so brave, (typical boy trying to act tough!) but he pet the animal with such ease. You could see him take notice to all the fine details like the fur color and the tiny feet. He waved his arms in excitement, and laughed so loud when the whiskers tickled his cheek.
I get so excited when I see my kids take new steps and make such progress. I love that I get to be involved in so much of their lives because I get to witness their growth from month to month, even day to day. You would think that with such hardships to overcome, they would be unhappy, but this is far from the case. I can actually say that on most days I am envious of their joy.
Breaking Stereotypes
We all have those preconceptions about anything and everything in life. While these stereotypes are something that we learn with time and experience, it almost seems as if they are embedded within us from birth. What makes us put such narrow descriptions onto a community of people with such depth?
What do you think of when you hear the word "autism?" Many people feel that those with autism cannot funtion "normally" in society (whatever that means); that they make strange noises; that they simply have a disease that should be cured.
It's strange for me when I hear people make such remarks because it is pure ignorance that is the root of it all. I can admit, that with many things in life, I have these preconceived notions. That is how I know that ignornace is what keeps us from never discovering the facts and truth. I might be on the same boat now, if not for the fact that I was given such an amazing opportunity to work with children with developmental disabilities and provide them with services to live healthy and fulfilled lives.
I truly believe that our main focus should not be on finding a cure. So much time and energy is put into trying to fix this "disease" rather than helping society to gain acceptance and awareness for this diverse community of individuals. Those with autism are amazing people. They have such joy and passion; they take notice to the smallest things in life and take time to appreciate all of this. I wish I could have even half of the love and passion that they do. I'm amazed everytime I work with an autistic child. With such communication struggles that they face, they manage to laugh so hard, hug with such love, and live with such meaning.
"If I could snap my fingers and be nonautistic, I would not - because then I wouldn't be me. Autism is part of who I am." -Temple Grandin-
What do you think of when you hear the word "autism?" Many people feel that those with autism cannot funtion "normally" in society (whatever that means); that they make strange noises; that they simply have a disease that should be cured.
It's strange for me when I hear people make such remarks because it is pure ignorance that is the root of it all. I can admit, that with many things in life, I have these preconceived notions. That is how I know that ignornace is what keeps us from never discovering the facts and truth. I might be on the same boat now, if not for the fact that I was given such an amazing opportunity to work with children with developmental disabilities and provide them with services to live healthy and fulfilled lives.
I truly believe that our main focus should not be on finding a cure. So much time and energy is put into trying to fix this "disease" rather than helping society to gain acceptance and awareness for this diverse community of individuals. Those with autism are amazing people. They have such joy and passion; they take notice to the smallest things in life and take time to appreciate all of this. I wish I could have even half of the love and passion that they do. I'm amazed everytime I work with an autistic child. With such communication struggles that they face, they manage to laugh so hard, hug with such love, and live with such meaning.
"If I could snap my fingers and be nonautistic, I would not - because then I wouldn't be me. Autism is part of who I am." -Temple Grandin-
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