One of my sons is autistic. He was diagnosed about a
decade ago at age 3 for the symptoms recognized at the time but likely would
have been diagnosed earlier given what we know now. Like all autistic people …
like most people … he has grown–taller than I, at this point–developed, matured,
and changed. And along with him, the way people view and talk and think about
autism has changed, as well. In the 10 years since his diagnosis, we’ve gone
from hearing “I’m sorry” when we mention having an autistic child to a much more
mixed response, one that often is as weighted with curiosity and interest as
with sympathy or pity, and that’s a good thing. But there is always room for
improvement.
We won’t find one single cause for autism, no matter how much money we throw
at trying to do so. Map the last decade of autism research, and you’ll find
cul-de-sac after cul-de-sac of dead-end ideas or streets lined with echo
chambers reverberating with results from the same groups, saying the same
things, tracing the Rube-Goldbergian contraptions built within the framework of
their pet hypotheses.
What you won’t find is sufficient mixed-use development of both research into cause and research into support. What you won’t find is enough research that involves asking autistic people themselves about themselves, about what they need, what would support and help them most, what would help them learn and thrive and manage the deficits that come with their condition.
Read more here.
What you won’t find is sufficient mixed-use development of both research into cause and research into support. What you won’t find is enough research that involves asking autistic people themselves about themselves, about what they need, what would support and help them most, what would help them learn and thrive and manage the deficits that come with their condition.
Read more here.
