Response to "The Crappy Life of the Autism Mom"

Boy, it's been a while since I posted here. Wheee, my second blog entry!! I had to do this one, though; it's a copy of the response that I sent to Kim Stagliano, writer of http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kim-stagliano/the-crappy-life-of-the-au_b_37742.html among other things, and mother to 3 autistic kids. Here's what I said:

"Just discovered your blog, and I only have one quick comment. You compare autism to "Bertie Botts' Beans." Specifically, you said that "Some autistics...can speak eloquently, write blogs, move out on their own, marry, have children and manage their autistic traits." This is a misrepresentation. Some of the autistics that write blogs *can't* "manage their autistic traits," but *still* manage to communicate and live fulfilling, happy lives. Just to take a few examples, there's the woman who writes this blog: http://ballastexistenz.autistics.org/, the man who writes this blog: http://griffs-grumbles.blogspot.com/2007/01/fundamental-disconnect.html, and hundreds of other *adults* who are LIVING with autism, *not* trying to eliminate it. I think the big difference here, is that they are ADULTS, and your girls are young yet. Give your girls 10 or 20 years to learn and mature, and even if they haven't mastered potty training yet I bet they'll be writing blogs too. The ND movement isn't saying you're "disrespecting (your) kids by trying to help them," its saying that your kids need both help AND acceptance as autistic individuals!!!! Autism is not an either-or disorder. The kids who need help 24-7 (the "ear wax/vomit/dog poop" kids, to use your terminology) are the SAME people who grow up to be functioning adults who "speak eloquently, write blogs, move out on their own, marry, have children and manage their autistic traits." Some are more successful than others, but it is 100% possible to be both fully autistic and fully successful. Your girls are just kids -- don't give up on them, NEVER give up on them -- and *please* don't assume that the ND movement is encouraging that. I can only speak for myself, but as a proud member of the ND movement, giving up on them is the *very last* thing I would want for ANYONE on the autistic spectrum, no matter their flavor!!"

It really bothers me that so many people think it's not possible to have autistic "issues" and be successful at the same time!!! I wish people like the ones I mentioned above had a wider audience...people (especially parents!) need to hear both sides of the story.