Services
Use these 'quick-links' to view Brookdale Care's complete range of services.
Information videos
- Information on ASD
- What Parents think
- Multi Disciplinary Team
- Milton Park Hospital
- Autism Residential Care Homes
Contact Us
Contact information, email addresses, phone numbers and directions to our autism services.
Brookdale Care Autism Articles
Talk about supporting, not curing us
Posted: 2009-07-27 | Author: Autism Articles
As with other impairments, society’s focus on autism is all wrong, says Anya Ustaszewski, Member of the Autism Rights Movement and an individual with Asperger Syndrome.
As an adult on the autistic spectrum, recent articles about pre-natal testing and “cures” for autism have made me angry and afraid. They raise two important questions: Is our existence worthwhile? And who should make that judgement?
Some respond to the first question by highlighting the minority of autistics who have genius or savant abilities. While it would certainly be a shame to eliminate potential geniuses, what about the majority who aren’t gifted? Are we surplus to requirements?
I find the idea of a “cure” highly disturbing. The autistic rights movement, which I strongly support, is made up of autistic individuals who see autism as part of natural human variation and integral to who we are. It is not an appendage to be removed or “fixed”.
As for who is fit to pass judgement, surely only each autistic individual can tell you whether his or her life is worthwhile? But it is usually parents and professionals who pass judgement; autistics are rarely consulted.
Many parents struggle because they lack support, which influences their perception of autism, while professionals are stuck in the “medical model” way of thinking rather than considering improved support and accommodations.
When we do manage to get our opinions heard, we are often attacked. The same tired old counter-arguments are used every time: “It’s alright for you, you’re ‘high functioning’.” My response? There are many “low functioning” autistics who support the rights movement.
Another argument is “Liar! You’re not autistic!” Come and spend a week with me. You’ll change your mind!
Being autistic isn’t easy. The world is an assault on our hypersensitive senses and can cause distress and pain. We’re surrounded by people whose facial expressions, body language, inflection and speech can be hard to understand. For those who cannot speak, it is often difficult to get funding for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), in addition to the stigma around being non-verbal.
These difficulties can be ameliorated with adaptations such as buildings that aren’t over-stimulating (“low-arousal” buildings), documents that are easy to read, increased availability of AAC and, most of all, better understanding from society and a willingness to meet us half way.
Why isn’t this happening? Why are professionals more interested in eradicating us than helping us? Why doesn’t the government do more to ensure our support needs are met? Why are negative stereotypes of autism allowed to flourish?
Sadly, I don’t know the answer. All I know is that only we can say whether our existence is worthwhile. Only we can say what will help us. In common with all disabled people, we want to be included and accepted. We want a chance to be the best people we can be. But this can never happen while no-one listens to us.
---
To read more about this subject and other related articles please view www.disabilitynow.org.uk