What Autism Looks Like : Figuring Out the Recipe

Reposted with permission by the author.  Original post at http://figuringouttherecipe.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/what-autism-looks-like/.

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What Autism Looks Like by Figuring Out the Recipe

Autism families across the nation are posting ‘What Autism Looks Like’ blogs in response to 50 Cents tweet calling someone autistic as a put down.  Our community has responded and stood up for our kids. For their acceptance. For being loved for who they are.  It made me proud to be an autism mommy.

So to us, this is what Autism Looks Like

To us, autism looks like a fighter.  A child struggling to learn what everyone else picks up naturally.  Speech is difficult, this world is difficult, but he pushes on.  He tries. He doesn’t give up. He practices and listens and practices some more. He wants to be loved. He wants to please. He wants to have fun and be with friends.

Is being called autistic really all that bad? Don’t let my child become a word used to embarrass other people. Don’t let him become a put down.  Because to us, he’s our first born, love of our lives, more dear to us then words can say. He is an inspiration not an embarrassment.

You can view all the posts here from other mommies like me.

Acceptance : Autism Maven

Reposted with permission by the author.  Original post at http://www.autismmaven.com/?p=445&fb_source=message.

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Acceptance by Autism Maven

Everyone knows that April is Autism Awareness Month.  We post pictures, memes, links to articles, and blog posts, all in the hopes of increasing awareness.  This year there has been a lot of disagreement and hurt feelings within the autism community.  People with autism who want to be accepted as they are.  Parents who talk about the pain and trials of having a child on the spectrum.  Differing opinions–none more right or wrong than another.  All valid in their own right.

The most encouraging thing I’ve heard this month is about a movement to change some of the language we use, from awareness to acceptance. A great next step, in my opinion, but much more difficult to achieve.  It’s one thing for people to be aware that autism exists.  It’s quite another for people to accept people with autism into their lives in a true, meaningful way.

Autism is not simple or easy to understand, let alone accept.  If you have a child or sibling with autism, or teach children with autism, you are confronted with the meaning and breadth of autism every day.  For soccer coaches, classmates, and that ever-present judgmental lady in the grocery store, autism is much more difficult to understand.  Those of us ‘in the know’ share information and insight as much as we can.

I am one of the lucky ones.  My family has been so incredibly accepting of my kids.  My mom is an educator, and each time she runs across something that might be worth considering she sends it my way (Some of her ideas I actually have not seen before, which is somewhat impossible for me since I am the self-proclaimed queen of googling).  My dad makes incredible efforts to connect with my kids on their level.  They are endlessly patient and accepting.  Sometimes I think they understand my kids better than I do.  My sister and her family are so sweet to my kids.   They can’t wait to visit with them and are endlessly amused (in a good way) with all the quirky things they say and do.

My aunt and uncle are kind and generous.  It gives them no greater pleasure than to shop for our weird foods and to watch my kids swim in their pool 3 million times over a four-day period.  Swimming pools are so great for kids on the spectrum, but I digress.  My 88-year-old grandmother is a bleeding-heart who accepts EVERYONE for who they are.  When we visit with her she is patient and waits for the right time to go in.  She has meaningful relationships with both of my kids, because they know that she loves them for exactly who they are.

Around my family my kids can simply be who they are.  There is no stress to do what is expected, because they are just expected to be who they are.  They are truly accepted.

That is the upside to the increase in children diagnosed with autism.  The more children who are diagnosed, the more likely it is to know a child or adult with autism.  The more people who know someone with autism, the easier it will be for others in our communities to truly understand and accept them.   That’s the goal anyway, I think.

So consider me as having jumped on the bandwagon of autism acceptance as the next step.  My family is amazing, I know.  To say we are lucky is an understatement.  The only sane thing to do is to assume that other people will be just as amazing when given the opportunity.

This is What Autism Looks Like. : Kai's World

Reposted with permission from the author.  Original post at http://kaisworld.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/this-is-what-autism-looks-like/.

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This is What Autism Looks Like. by Kai's World

Days ago rapper, 50 cent, responded to a fan’s comments via Twitter. He said, said fan “looked Autistic”, to quit following him and that he didn’t want any special ed kids following him.
Shortly after that actress and spokesperson, Holly Robinson Peete, wrote a response via her blog that pretty much called him out on his hateful words. Her response blew up within the autism community. Those affected by Autism were quick to offer their two sense on the issue at hand. I even posted some of my thoughts on Facebook and wanted to make a blog post about it and I’m finally getting around to it.
#thisiswhatautismlookslike became a trending topic on Twitter. I don’t know about you, but to me, Kai looks like every other neurotypical child. She has no defining facial features that scream Autistic. Most people wouldn’t even know she has Autism unless I said something.
This is Kai. She is five years old. She loves playing outside, swimming, Disney princesses, pretend play and most typical things of kids her age.

Kai also has Autism. Her Autism makes many things in her life difficult, but it does NOT make her look any different. Nor does it give others the right to make fun of her about it, especially someone as high profile as 50 cent.
My child is beautiful. She is happy and fun. She brings so much joy to my life and I will never let anyone bring her down. I will fight for her everyday of her life just like I would my other children.
Even though 50 cent will never see my blog, this is what Autism looks like. Autism looks like you and me and with 1 out of every 88 children being diagnosed, Autism affects more families now than ever before. Like most people I never thought I would be part of one of those families, but I am.
Autism doesn’t make my daughter less of a person nor does it make her less beautiful.

What Autistic Looks Like to Me : The Alternative Spectrum

Reposted with permission by the author.  Original post at https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-alternative-spectrum/what-autistic-looks-like-to-me/446689952030881.

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What Autistic Looks Like to Me by The Alternative Spectrum

Autism is kindness without worry or social norms, going above and beyond to help and do good for others; often without consideration for ourselves. My friends with autism are some of the kindest, generous and supportive people I have ever known. 

Autism is freedom. Freedom from social rules that confine and restrict. When my son dances in the supermarket or outside in the rain, why shouldn't he? Who is to decide what is right and wrong behaviour? He is not hurting anyone or himself so why not leave him to it? Don't trap him with your intolerance, ignorance and created rules (and believe me I know, I've studied social psychology!) Just because something is different doesn't make it defective or wrong.

Autism is determination. The ability to focus on a loved thing regardless of everything else. It's got a lot of people far... many rich, famous and successful people are on the autism spectrum somewhere. For example, Satoshi Tajiri created Pokemon. He has aspergers syndrome. The idea came from his love of the outdoor and collecting insects and became a worldwide phenomenon still loved by people everywhere 20 years later. Oh, and by the way is currently working as the SEO of Game Freak. 

Autism is everywhere. You can't tell someone has autism by looking. Sometimes that's an advantage but sometimes it makes life even harder because our disability is missed. We look like any other person, can be any age, race, tall, short, fat or thin. Maybe you work with someone who has autism, or maybe their child, parent, partner or best friend does. Maybe one day, your child will!

Autism is a challenge. Everyday can be hard for someone with autism. It would be great if people with power, who are looked up to my millions could support, understand and raise awareness not make it harder and put us down. Simple everyday situations you take for granted, like going to the store or being able to drive a car can be so hard or even impossible. Can you even begin to imagine how that feels? How a mother feels when she has to abandon her groceries and race out of a shop carrying a wailing, failing child who simply cannot bear the noise of the supermarket any more? And believe me no helps, no one cares other than to mutter and judge.

You think your so tough and cool? like you can handle yourself and anyone or anything that comes along? Come and live in my house for a week. Come and see what autism really looks likes! I dare you too! Come and stop my two sons with autism killing each other while attending to my daughters needs... try and keep some form of orderly house, feed them - oh and my son cannot have milk, eggs, wheat, oranges, cucumbers, parsley, preservatives, cashews and a whole heap of other stuff so while your doing the food shop don't forget to read every single label on every single product you buy. No take aways, ready made meals and fast foods here; impossible to know what's in them and believe me you don't want to have to look after my son after he's hyper on milk! or change his nappies/clothes after he's occidentally had wheat! Yes, that's right he's five years old but he still isn't toilet trained. He'll need reminding to wear his glasses because he doesn't understand why he needs them, you'll need to say things over and over in every possible context they could occur and say exactly what you mean! No sarcasm, no idioms or vagueness. He can solve a rubix puzzle, could count to over 100, knew colours, shapes, letters etc before starting school at 4 and has an encyclopaedia like memory! I dare you to try. Come live in my world. See the reality of autism, the pain and frustration but also the love and purity; the greatness. If I could lend you my autism, dyslexia and poor memory I would so you could feel it to. But I'd never give it away, I wouldn't chose to change and lose so many great things, despite the struggles. We are all different, difference is not defective. Autism is not a defect, it in not an insult. Are you man enough, mature enough; brave enough to actually learn the truth?

What Autism Looks Like : Dani McKnight

What Autism Looks Like by Dani McKnight

My daughter Deliala has severe nonverbal autism. But she smiles when she is outside, is extremely ticklish, and always refuses to get out of the pool. She bounces and jumps all the times and wants to watch Caillou all day long. She might not be able to use words but does let everyone know her wishes with her big blue eyes. Autism is not everything my little girl is - it is just a part of her. She is still my curly topped blue eye angel.

What Autism Looks Like...Tylerisms for the Autistic Soul

This year there have been 3 (so far) very public "gaffs" about autistic/retarded people. Since the "R" word is currently being phased out it has seemed like they are looking for a new word to use in order to insult others or to be funny with. However, from what I have seen, no one in the autism community is laughing. The pages are banding together. We all want to educate the public on what autism looks like, because sadly there seems to be some confusion on that front. So...this is what autism looks like, to me.

Autism is: A person, just like everyone else. See those people on that thermal imager? Only the one up front has autism, yet they are all lit up the same.

Autism is: Something as simple as a stuffed animal can make everything all better.

Autism is: I like cuddling with my mom, long past the age where my peers don't cuddle with their moms. Nor do I care what people say about this.

Autism is: I always see things with new eyes. My wonderment and fascination never stop growing.

Autism is: no fear. My sister wouldn't dare stick her hand in this tank filled with stingrays. I never even paused to think about what worried her. I am not afraid to push myself outside the box.

Autism is: I love my lap top. It is my most prized obsession. I love video games, and I've probably kicked your butt in one or two of them.

Autism is: There is no one in this world I love like I love my sister. She is my best friend. I do everything with her. I don't like other people, but I like her. No matter what.

My name is Tyler. I have high functioning autism. I have it. It does not have me. There is nothing wrong with the way I look. There is nothing wrong with the things that I do. I am different. Not less. I am not a joke or a pun.

People get their panties in a bunch over autism. I really don't understand it. They freak out. EEWW NOT THE DREADED AUTISM!!! Is it contagious?! :( Unfortunately not. It would make a world of an improvement on some people. You know, without autism...you wouldn't have all the things you enjoy so much. No t.v., no cell phone, no video games, no cars.... Without the obsessions that drive the autistic you wouldn't have any modern advancements. Their inability to let things go until they figure it out is what drives progress. "Normal" people...when something doesn't work and they can't force it to work....they give up. Not an autistic. They push and push. They keep looking at the old with new eyes. Until it clicks.

Keep making fun of the autistic's. One day you will know their names. They will be the ones bringing in the new advancements. They will be your boss. Then we'll check back in to see if you're still laughing. I rather doubt it.

Everyone should listen to this song.

 

Please think, before you speak.

 

This post was first published on Tylerisms for the Autistic Soul and is reposted here with permission.

Parenting With Asperger's: What Autistic Looks Like

By now, you've probably heard about the rapper 50 Cent stating that someone he dislikes looks autistic and he doesn't want special needs people on his Twitter page. Holly Robinson Peete composed a very touching response to him and posted it on her website.

In response to his very rude and ignorant tweets, several other ASD bloggers have chosen to respond. This is my contribution.

The above image is a picture of my 3 children. Allow me to introduce you to them.

This is Thomas. He has Special Needs. Can't tell, can you? He's caring for his newborn kitten whose mother died during birth. But how can a kid with Special Needs do something so ..... normal??? So kind? So gentle? Thomas has Sensory Processing Disorder.

This is Max. He built this Lego car in about 2 hours. It's over 800 pieces. I'm not really seeing the "autistic look" you speak of, 50. I DO see a 12 yr old kid who is pretty proud of his accomplishment here. He just also happens to have Autism. And a kick ass Lego car that sits on the mantle over the fireplace.

This is Rachel. She just got done swimming with her little brother. She has Special Needs, too. Can you see that, 50 Cent? No? She looks like every other 10 year old girl out there? That's what I thought, too. Well, guess what? She has Sensory Processing Disorder like her brothers. She also has some traits of Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD.

And this is me. My name is Carrie and I have Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, Fibromyalgia, and Migraines. I look like a pink-haired pin-up here, but I don't see Special Needs or Autism. Do you?

What a mindfuck you must be having, 50. From what I can see, we all look just like everyone else. Does autism have a "look" that all of us on, or associated with, the spectrum don't know about? Is there a Special Needs look we don't know about? I know you're REALLY busy being a business man, a rapper, and an icon for so many, but I do hope you take time out of your day to respond to SOMEONE and explain yourself.

 This post was first published on Parenting With Asperger's and is reposted with permission here.