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Autism Vox

‘There are autisms’ (Suzanne Wright)

by Kristina Chew, PhD on October 31st, 2006

“There are autisms,” Suzanne Wright of Autism Speaks was quoted as saying at a fundraising dinner for the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation (according to FoxNews.com).

Or rather, there are autistic persons, autistic individuals.

And further: autism, while it might occur in “different manifestations,” need not be (as the reporter describes it in reference to Wright and her husband, Bob Wright) “this frustrating challenge.”

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Joseph Mele
Oct 31, 2006 at 2:50 pm

Kristina

I saw that article. the qoute I saw was

““There are autisms,” Suzanne stressed to me, because there are so many different manifestations of this frustrating challenge.”

Slightly different meaning. Perhaps I missed your qoute.But anyway thanks for a great conference.
It was nice to meet you and your husband. I appreciate that you engaged me in conversation.
Daisy
Oct 31, 2006 at 5:39 pm

The semantics are difficult. I like to use the term “spectrum” because it describes the range a little better than the word autism. but we should never forget that the individual has the diagnosis, not vice-versa.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Oct 31, 2006 at 6:08 pm

Joseph, it was wonderful to meet and speak to you too—–I think the only words quoted from Suzanne Wright were “there are autisms” and the rest of the quote is from the reporter.

On the one hands I guess semantics are not of the most importance, and yet they are, indeed!
Moi ;)
Oct 31, 2006 at 10:14 pm

Is that like internets? ;D
Kassiane
Oct 31, 2006 at 10:55 pm

I wonder how many of them knocked on the wrong door? *rolls eyes*