Comments on: Mild Autism? I Think Not!

By: Taylor Selseth

Taylor Selseth — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:36:05 +0000

I can never understand why the hysterical people pushing the “autism epidemic nonsense” simply don’t get it when I given them facts. On a left-wing message board I frequent several anti-vaccine nuts kept on dogmatically asserting “where were all the autistic people 30 years ago?” even after I pointed out that they were diagnosed as “mentally retarded”, were undiagnosed, were misdiagnosed, were left hidden away in mental institutions to rot, etc. in the past.

It’s like talking to a wall. And they accuse ME of being close-minded?

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:58:38 +0000

Hi Mickey, I’m glad you’re finding my blog so helpful.

It must be very frustrating for your foster daughter not to be able to make herself understood. Hopefully, with the stability and consistency of your home, her communication skills will improve over time. If you want to read a great blog by a “low-functioning” (and very brilliant) autistic woman, see Amanda Baggs’ blog at http://ballastexistenz.autistics.org/.

By: Mickey

Mickey — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:19:00 +0000

I really like your site. It has helped me to begin to understand what our foster daughter might be going through. She is autistic and has meltdowns often. She has a meltdown when we can’t figure out what she wants. She does not speak and forgets her sign language. She can “copy” signs sometimes and other times she uses them correctly. Just this morning she was hungry so she climbed up into her chair and gave my husband the sign for pancake. We are not really sure if she wanted a pancake but she didn’t cry when he gave her one. By the way, she’s 4 yrs old and has been with us for about 3 months. I have been reading everything I can on autism and talking with my sister-in-law who has a child with Aspergers. The most helpful are the blog by people with autism. I can’t imagine her typing but maybe someday she will. I would like her to be able to communicate somehow.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:41:46 +0000

Hi Adah, thanks for comment and welcome!

I can relate to what you say about the denial of family members. Were my parents still alive, they would not believe that I am autistic, no matter how many specialists I lined up to tell them so. I was the “perfect child” in the family—i.e. I was extremely compliant and I did well in school—and it would be difficult for them to see me as anything else. They wouldn’t understand that being compliant and following the rules were my ways of trying to be safe and fit into some sort of structure.

By: Adah Lee

Adah Lee — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:09:46 +0000

Fantastic post. No, people don’t seem to make the connection that autistic adults were once autistic children. As an aspie who wa not diagnosed until I was 30, I will never tell my family that I am autistic, for the simple fact that they will never be able to accept that I was an autistic child. (Looking back post diagnosis, it’s pretty obvious I have always been autistic, but my family wouldn’t acknowledge it.)

I’m glad you enjoyed your time with your non-verbal friend. No, most people don’t understand that there is more to the world than their own meagre experiences and senses tell them. There seems to be a scare campaign going on to warn the world of the terrors of autism, but you’re right, there’s so much that goes on in the minds behind the faces we see.

By: pinkbowtiepumps

pinkbowtiepumps — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:35:15 +0000

A wonderful read. You somehow managed to capture those intangible emotions we experience into a beautiful experience. It’s encouraging to know that we don’t have to take these sensations as something for granted – they are here for us to experience, and they provide a wonderful additional sensation! Thanks so much

By: Stat Mama

Stat Mama — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 10:25:57 +0000

This is a great post. As someone above mentioned, I have tried many times to articulate this as well, to no avail. You managed to do so brilliantly. Thank you.

By: Kate

Kate — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:58:25 +0000

That is beautiful I am so glad you got the experience to be with this person! And to write abotu it.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:47:39 +0000

You are so dead on!

By: James

James — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:47:22 +0000

Rachel,

I’ve been searching for some time for words that describe this sort of difference in understanding between those with autism and those without it. I’ve been looking for words that I could point those without autism to simply say, “Autism isn’t the way you think it is, and here’s why”.
I’ve tried a few times to write the words myself, but have never come up with something that feels like it might work.

This post, however is wonderful. It brilliantly captures the experience from the perspective of autism, yet presents it in a way that I believe would speak to those who don’t have it.

I may well point a few NT people this way in an effort to explain myself to them.

Thanks,

James