Autism Is Not a Mental Prison (2)

by Kristina Chew, PhD on July 16th, 2007

A parent left this comment on the post Autism Is Not a Mental Prison over the weekend. The entire comment deserves a reading. An excerpt:

I would suggest that an honest and accurate portrayal of ASD would convey both the good and the bad: the abilities to communicate, interact, and learn and the often great difficulties encountered in doing so. It would show that our children have difficulties to be endured, mastered and overcome, and would make the case that with assistance – deserved assistance – that great things can be accomplished. But it would also make the case that they are human beings, worthy of consideration and respect.

Whatever effort I put into helping my daughter, the efforts required of her will greatly surpass mine. In making those efforts, she deserves respect. Labeling her as a ‘nightmare’ or as in a ‘mental prison’ does not help engender that respect.

Thank you, Ian (whose post on ASD as a Developmental Disorder: A Suggested Neurological Underpinning is worth a read).