Comments on: Explaining. Perception. http://www.asparenting.com/2010/02/06/explaining-perception/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:38:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: storkdok http://www.asparenting.com/2010/02/06/explaining-perception/comment-page-1/#comment-180 storkdok Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:08:14 +0000 http://www.asparenting.com/?p=264#comment-180 I call it Autism Mythbusting. I just educate wherever I go. I think it is easier for me as a physician and mom, people listen to me better and believe me when I tell them about how different each person on the spectrum is. I also can easily explain the medical side of things, such as that autism is not mercury poisoning ;0) As well as the fact that there are a LOT of older people on the spectrum who have not had an explanation for how they think and why they do what they do until they happen to find out about autism. I have found pretty much everyone to be very receptive and have a lot of questions. I want them to see that autistics are individuals like anyone else. They have the same feelings, desires, and needs for the most part that anyone else has. Nothing to be afraid about. I call it Autism Mythbusting. I just educate wherever I go. I think it is easier for me as a physician and mom, people listen to me better and believe me when I tell them about how different each person on the spectrum is. I also can easily explain the medical side of things, such as that autism is not mercury poisoning ;0) As well as the fact that there are a LOT of older people on the spectrum who have not had an explanation for how they think and why they do what they do until they happen to find out about autism. I have found pretty much everyone to be very receptive and have a lot of questions. I want them to see that autistics are individuals like anyone else. They have the same feelings, desires, and needs for the most part that anyone else has. Nothing to be afraid about.

]]> By: Kim http://www.asparenting.com/2010/02/06/explaining-perception/comment-page-1/#comment-179 Kim Sat, 13 Feb 2010 22:19:28 +0000 http://www.asparenting.com/?p=264#comment-179 While this example illustrates that we have a way to go, it also shows us there is much to build on, and that children (both AS and NT) are wonderful gifts. While John may have had an understanding of Autism that included "horrible things", and he had a hunch that your son had Autism, he was still reassuring to you and your son. He was not scared. He was interested. His interaction with you increased his awareness and understanding of Autism. I imagine the next time he sees someone who he believes has Autism he will think of more than just the "horrible things that Autism does". Sometimes I think people really do want to know - they just don't know how to ask. Good for John that he had the courage to ask. Good for you that you had the courage to tell. While this example illustrates that we have a way to go, it also shows us there is much to build on, and that children (both AS and NT) are wonderful gifts.

While John may have had an understanding of Autism that included “horrible things”, and he had a hunch that your son had Autism, he was still reassuring to you and your son. He was not scared. He was interested. His interaction with you increased his awareness and understanding of Autism. I imagine the next time he sees someone who he believes has Autism he will think of more than just the “horrible things that Autism does”.

Sometimes I think people really do want to know – they just don’t know how to ask. Good for John that he had the courage to ask. Good for you that you had the courage to tell.

]]> By: Lydia http://www.asparenting.com/2010/02/06/explaining-perception/comment-page-1/#comment-178 Lydia Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:49:14 +0000 http://www.asparenting.com/?p=264#comment-178 We need to keep doing what we're doing... and movies like Temple Grandin's may help, but when big organizations like Autism Speaks and others teach people that our condition is something terrible, it's like they put a wall up in our path. Not only that, but those who insist it can be cured make people think that we should be medicated or otherwise "in treatment" to get rid of our Autism... and that is also counterproductive. We need PSAs and movies about the positive side of Autism. People are not allowed to discriminate or mistreat people of other races or sexual orientation, and they should not be allowed to discriminate against, bully and mistreat us, either. Basically, what we are doing is fighting a war against ignorance and misconceptions. We need to keep doing what we’re doing… and movies like Temple Grandin’s may help, but when big organizations like Autism Speaks and others teach people that our condition is something terrible, it’s like they put a wall up in our path. Not only that, but those who insist it can be cured make people think that we should be medicated or otherwise “in treatment” to get rid of our Autism… and that is also counterproductive.

We need PSAs and movies about the positive side of Autism. People are not allowed to discriminate or mistreat people of other races or sexual orientation, and they should not be allowed to discriminate against, bully and mistreat us, either.

Basically, what we are doing is fighting a war against ignorance and misconceptions.

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