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Autism Vox

The Dreaded “A” Word?

by Kristina Chew, PhD on September 28th, 2008

So autism is referred to at the start of an article in today’s Northeast Missouri Daily Journal.

Never give up, it’s noted in the next few sentences—yes.

But this “dreaded” business—-something we’ve got to change.

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POSTED IN: Diagnosis, Family

10 opinions for The Dreaded “A” Word?

  • Synesthesia
    Sep 28, 2008 at 5:43 pm

    I read most of the articles.
    I wonder if society had a different attitude when it came to autism and other conditions, would things be better for people with Autism?
    Would it really be a disability if people tried to understand individuals with autism and how their minds work and their point of view instead of pigeon holing them into being “normal” when normal doesn’t quite exist?
    It’s something I think about often because the mainstream attitude about autism is very thoroughly negative. Like in these ads I’ve seen they make it seem as bad as cancer, but having had that as a kid…

    I do not know…

  • Mrs. C
    Sep 28, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    Oh, yeahrrr…

    We should never give up “hope” that our kids will be cured. That’s the number one thing. Not doing better with social interactions or writing or whatever. It has to be an all-out “cure.”

    Because actress Jenny McCarthy brought this to the public eye.

    Oh, this is great reporting. Mmm-hm.

    You know, I’ve evolved a bit as a parent on this thing after hearing the dreaded “A-word.” But one thing that hasn’t changed is that these are MY CHILDREN and not something to dread.

    Dealing with some of the fallout, yeah, dread that. Because it stinks. But not so much the autism in and of itself.

    If there were this magical “cure” out there, I would give it to my children only if it were safe AND the person they are inside was still there. It would have to make them more fully THEM if you know what I mean. I think some people in their search for a “cure” really want a “personality change” for autistics. JMO.

  • Bonnie Sayers
    Sep 28, 2008 at 6:32 pm

    Those first few sentences are so negative. She refers to autism as “that diagnosis”. She is not speaking for me or my kids. Of course another person from NAA. I am so glad that I ended communication with my Mother about 7 years ago. I doubt she even mentions the word autism and her grandchildren in the same sentence. She was embarassed to be seen with me whenever my eczema breakouts occurred and that has stayed with me for years. Now I believe I have developed cataracts from prednisone, eye sight is getting worse this month after last round than ever before and I have many books to read. I heard from her sister that she had cataracts a few years ago.

    I wonder what Jenny will say tomorrow on GMA. Tues on CNN AM Morning and then on Ellen on Friday.

  • Bonnie Sayers
    Sep 28, 2008 at 6:37 pm

    So I decided to skim the article after the insulting start and after stating only one alone vacation in 12 years this sentence:

    “But they’re not complaining.” What was the first part then? Insults to the autism community.

    later on this

    “He son wants to interact with other children but doesn’t know how, she said, noting he’s already viewed as “different” by other children because he was born with heart defects.”

    Why is she not teaching her son social skills, what about books or support groups. I hate these articles where they go on and on about how the kid got the autism and the hours they spent in therapy and trying to sell house to do anything for kids, but is there ever any talk of playing with their kids, reading a book to them, blah blah.

    It gets tiring reading that type of stuff.

  • Karen
    Sep 28, 2008 at 6:45 pm

    Ugh.

    I just can’t even expend any more energy on negativity (though I realize knowing what’s going on is important…). I will NOT watch Ms. Playboy Bunny because it will only irritate me.

    There is absolutely nothing I dread about my son. We have our challenging moments like all families do. He is a huge blessing to me just as he is.

  • Synesthesia
    Sep 28, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    Why doesn’t the larger society teach kids not to pick on other kids and to understand that they have autism, so that means they’ll act a little different, but it doesn’t mean they are bad or something and that they need patience and understanding?
    I don’t like how kids that are supposed to be “normal” internalize ostracizing people who are different.
    It’s not like people with autism shouldn’t have to learn how to adapt reasonably but it would be nice if things could meet in the middle somehow. In some cultures eye contact isn’t even considered polite, so if a person has trouble doing that, should they be forced to or should people realize that some feel uncomfortable with eye contact and it doesn’t make them bad or anything, just different.
    Do i make sense?

  • Bonnie Sayers
    Sep 28, 2008 at 7:00 pm

    Yeah I agree on the eye contact. Never let anyone force my kids to give eye contact.

  • Marla
    Sep 28, 2008 at 7:06 pm

    Wow. This reminds me of what I wrote about just today.

  • hammie
    Sep 28, 2008 at 7:33 pm

    Well I would rather someone used “the A word” than all this fannying about with PDD NOS and the autism you have when you are not having autism (is that like Canderel??)
    Say it straight and say it loud, I’m autie and I’m proud.
    As for dreaded. Sometimes journalists want to focus on what’s tough about raising or being a person with autism, so they can play up the struggle; but all that does is scare the jehovahs out of anyone who might be concerned about whether their child needs a diagnosis.
    What there is not enough of is the story of “I spend a lot of time observing and interacting with my kids, seeing what they liked and using that to help them fit into the real world, on their terms as and when they want to”
    Maybe if I was a glamour model I could tell THAT story, and get people to listen to me? hmmm
    :~

  • Got Autism? (asks PETA)
    Sep 29, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    […] from the “devastating disease” phrase which reinforces the view of autism as some dreadful disease, PETA should note that Newark is one among a few places in New Jersey which autism rates were […]

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