It has
been a year since I started blogging about our experiences. Since that
time, I am humbled by the support and information that I have received from
other parents of autistic children. I am grateful that treatment and
services for individuals with ASD has improved over the years. Still, this is a
long-haul journey and with many bumps along the road.
As a
parent of a child with autism, I’m learning that there are many misconceptions
regarding the condition. Now, more than ever, we need to bridge the gap between
the "neurotypicals" and those with ASD. People unfamiliar with
the disorder require patience and facts, not condemnation (with some
exceptions).
Autism is
more than an umbrella term for developmental disorders. The term describes an array of different
people with unique challenges. Autism is not a precursor to violent outbursts
against others or an excuse for lashing out against people with the
condition. It is another way of seeing the world. For instance, my
son sees patterns in math problems but has difficulty starting conversations in
the playground.
Instead
of focusing on labels, we should be honing in on more social communication
efforts for those with special-needs. In light of recent events, pushing
for social inclusion of autistic individuals in our communities including
schools, places of worship, and other organizations must be a top priority.
Let’s be honest: Our natural tendencies may make us shy away from
people with behavioral issues. However, social isolation hurts all of us,
not simply the individual.
In
addition, we should be reaching out to other parents of children in need and
gently offering support and resources. Regardless of socioeconomic
status, many parents don’t have accurate information or access to services that
will benefit their child. For instance, I learned of music and swim
therapy programs from other mothers. Most importantly, knowing other families
are traveling down this bumpy road helps us through the rough times.
As we
celebrate this holiday season, I wish for several things. From a personal
standpoint, I would like more randomized controlled trials on effective social
skills programs. Though some studies have shown improvements in social communication
skills, others are inconclusive. Autistic individuals should have
treatments tailored to their specific needs.
Also,
while there is strong emphasis on early intervention, there must be more
services for adolescents and young adults. For instance, many schools do
not provide teacher aides to autistic children who excel academically but flounder
socially. Some therapies are provided to children with developmental delays
only once a week. And as many young adults age out of the school system,
there aren’t enough facilities that effectively train them for productive
lives.
As
parents of those with special-needs, our job is fighting misperceptions about
our children until they can do it themselves. My son, and others like
him, will have to lead the charge, combating stereotypes with accurate
information about this disorder. They will be faced with advocating for
themselves and others who can’t. We still have a long way to go.
But with perseverance and strength we’ll slowly reach the destination ahead.
