We have this tendency to pathologize anything that makes us uncomfortable.
Among the many problems that come along with our 24/7 news cycle (and the need for ratings to secure funding) is the constant urgency, the sensationalism, the preference for opinion over actual reporting, and “let’s move on to the next story” – all at the expense of meaningful analysis.
In consequence what we read and listen to – too often – is the inaccurate, poorly researched, politically slanted and frequently inane conclusions of opportunistic observers who lack the credentials or the intellectual curiosity to offer credible commentary.
opportunistic observers who lack the credentials or the intellectual curiosity to offer credible commentary.
The recent brief “hit-and-run” interest in autism is a case in point.
My thinking on the subject is influenced by degrees in psychology and exceptional education, “on the job” training and internship at a community mental health facility, five years as a clinician – teaching in an autism day-treatment program, two decades as a teacher in exceptional student education and forty-five years as an interested, literate open-minded observer.
My experiences ran contrary to theories and practices that would likely go over well today with Federal Health and Human Services leadership. In addition to vaccines, mothers were handy to blame, including Bettelheim’s theory that both autism and schizophrenia were the fault of women who failed to provide adequate warmth and nurture (no mention of fathers at all).
My approach to teaching:
My approach, as a young idealist fresh out of college, was to focus on communication training, functional skills, equipping my students with tools they could use to be successful in everyday life, strengthening positive behaviors that were incompatible with troublesome responses, and making sure their experience of school involved more of “Yes!” “Well done!” “Let’s try it this way,” “Attaboy” and other affirmations – and less of relentless pejoratives such as “No!” “Stop!” “What’s wrong with you?” and “I am so disappointed!”
Individuals under the autism umbrella are not “faulty,” or “malfunctioning,” they simply perceive the world differently – and that tends to upset those of us who live our lives in a more narrowly defined understanding of “normal.”
Advocacy and Resources
We have this tendency to pathologize anything that makes us uncomfortable. A more effective solution would be to broaden our minds, open our hearts and ante up the resources necessary to help rather than dismantle advocacy initiatives, defund the education department and ignore solid science in favor of conspiracy theories.
I believe this brief and unsatisfactory autism conversation is indicative of the spirit of this age, where in-depth analysis is eschewed in favor of know-nothing pronouncements that celebrate ignorance and superstition while rejecting knowledge and understanding.
Come on America, we can do better than this – DEREK
- Below, helpful information taken from the Autism Speaks website:
What is autism?
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 31 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today.
We know that there is not one type of autism, but many.
Autism looks different for everyone, and each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. Some autistic people can speak, while others are nonverbal or minimally verbal and communicate in other ways. Some have intellectual disabilities, while some do not. Some require significant support in their daily lives, while others need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.