Watch the original video and you'll know the answer. This girl doesn't want to be treated different and admits to know what she struggles with.
I firmly believe that Autism takes control of the individual. My son engages in a lot of self injurous behavior so much that it breaks our hearts over and over again each to see him do these things like slapping himself or headbutting a wall. I can see the remorse and confusion in the eyes of a young man imprisoned by a cruel condition that isolates him from the world yet he still sees hears and feels all that we do. These individuals are aware of what they are doing but in many cases powerless to do anything about it. As the parent of an Autistic kid, if I had one wish for my son, it wouldn't be fame or fortune, it would be the opportunity to live a somewhat normal life. It's really that simple. If there's one good thing about Autism it's that it does ground you in reality. Hope and small victories shared amongst family and friends get you through to the next day.
I have a cousin who is autistic.His behavior was very similar to the girl in the OP but he does speak. He taught himself to read when he was only about 3 years old.He somehow learned by watching tv commercials.He was already reading on about a 3rd grade level before they even discovered he could read,like it kind of happened overnight.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, nurses and those who cared for people with mental issues felt offended by the public using the term "feeble-minded" to describe their patients (who, at that point, included basically everyone who wasn't "normal"). They thought it was insulting and did not think it matched up with the science of the day. They proposed another word that, eventually, most of the public came to accept and use. The word was "moron." Words change as they're used. Insisting that an old term is somehow more valid than a more recent term is really, really, missing the point.
Please don't anybody post that image... I think when professionals talk about Autism anymore they usually refer to The Spectrum of Autism because it is such a complex diagnosis. I spent the last 6-7 weeks of the last school year working as an assistant teacher in a classroom with 7 autistic kids (all boys BTW) in grades 3-5. They ranged from some who barely ever uttered any words to one who could recite minute after minute of dialogue from his favorite movie and otherwise converse quite intelligently.
My son is on the spectrum. He is a normal, loving kid who enjoys Rockets basketball and yelling GOL when soccer is on tv. Crowds make him anxious. I probably just described half this board.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AbASOcqc1Ss" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> This is probably the best documentary about someone with Autism.
I subbed at a school last year on MLK's birthday. This school had a big celebration and these two autistic boys were sitting in front of me cowering and literally crying from the over-stimulation due to a large audience.
There's a kid we know with severe Autism that can speak. He asks everyone their name and birthdate. He can see you years from now and remember both things. It is incredible.
It's a wonderful document about that particular type of Autism. I agree with that but it doesn't really delve in to the entire spectrum. Before my son was born, I thought all Autistic kids were like Rain Man. There's no simple way to describe a complex condition. My wife and I have helped around 50 families the last few years get respite opportunities. We meet people with Aspergers to Profound Autism. Being a former youth league coach, here is my favorite Autism Video.. Sat at my desk at work and cried the first time I saw it. HTML: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1fw1CcxCUgg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Sorry...here's the video. I'm sure most of you have seen it. It's the reaction of the crowd to a deserving boy who got his time to shine. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1fw1CcxCUgg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
My son is fortunate to be very high functioning. He is as easy to read as a map though when he starts to get over-stim'd, you just have to shut it down and help him calm down. He went to a Rockets game with me last year and did ok.
I was going to apologize to aceshigh for threatening him, but after reading his reply, all I can say is I know autistic people who are more intelligent than this clown. Granville, my heart goes out to you and your wife, as well as your child with autism. I know exactly what you're going through, because me and my wife are living it as well. It's a daily challenge, and most people have NO clue what this journey is all about. As difficult as it is, my autistic daughter was a god send to our family. She has truly taught me what the word love is all about. She'll come up to me and say, "dad, I have something I want to tell you". I look her right in the eyes and say, "what do you want to tell me"? She'll look me right in the eyes and say, "I want to tell you how much I love you, and I want to give you a big hug". She makes us laugh every day, and yes the tears are there as well. Hang in there Granville, autism isn't just tough on the kids, but the divorce rate for parents with autistic kids is extremely high. Take it one day at a time, and I pray that god will give you and your wife the courage and strength to face the journey that lies ahead. Now go have a FANTASTIC weekend with your child and make some great memories!!!!!
