Autism-World

Q:Why is it when upon meeting someone new and them learning that my child is autistic, the first words from their mouths are “Oh, I’m sorry”?

This is the case about 90% of the time. Why is this said without any further knowledge of me or my child? We don’t need or desire pity. What compells people to assume we do?

To me – the root of the problem is our society’s view of autistics and any diabled person in general.

Does anyone else think the stigma is kept alive and well by some of the larger organizations who claim to be the voice of our children? These organizations are notorious for portraying autism in the most pitiful light and rarely focus on the positives. They characterize our children as puzzles and as having bleak futures. Then they tug on society’s heartstrings with these portrayals so they can raise more money to further their own agendas.

I hope a day will come soon when people will value and respect autistics and all disabled persons. Anyone else?

Answer:
When I mention my autistic neice, I hear “Wow, that’s tough.”

While it is tough, they don’t understand the joy I feel when I’m with here. People applaud me for how much I work with my neice as if it is a great burden, but it is not.

But I don’t have her 24/7. I know that is exhausting. And my brother had TWO autistic kids. Low functioning, too. The little boy died in a drowning accident two years ago. While things are much easier around the house now, that obviously doesn’t come any where close near compensating for the great loss my brother feels. But it has had the effect of motivating us to re-double our efforts with Arianna, my autistic neice.

But I try to be more optimistic about how I interpret people’s response. I think it is good for people to feel compassion for disabled people. And where exactly is the line between compassion & pity?

But pity is better than disgust. In previous generations, “retards” were shipped away to special “schools.” What were they afraid of?

Technorati : autism

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 1st, 2007 at 9:20 pm and is filed under Ask and answer, Parent Resources.