The Future of Autism

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.