Autism from the inside.

[BearBio]

As I have related before, I have Asperger's Syndrome=A form of highly-functional autism. Today, I came across two resources that will relate, in part, what we go through every day.

The first is a video entitled "Can you make it to the end?" and relates an autistic viewpoint of a visit to the mall. It is at:

http://www.facebook.com%2FNationalAutisticSociety%2Fvideos%2F10153265121686599%2F

The other is a poem completed by a 10 year old boy called "I am". My fear is that he may never understand he will ALWAYS be "odd". I just hope he learns, as I did, that he is not strange, only different.

http://www.facebook.com%2FNationalAutism%2Fphotos%2Fa.419315444282.209733.299524134282%2F10154112555864283%2F%3Ftype%3D3

 

[wwb]

I'm not a Facebook member, and it says I can't see them unless I register.... which I ain't gonna do. Is there another link?

 

[mohavesam]

God makes mental illness such as these. Living with a child so afflicted, I cannot reason why.

 

[BearBio]

https://www.facebook.com/NationalAutism/photos/a.419315444282.209733.299524134282/10154112555864283/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/NationalAutisticSociety/videos/10153265121686599/

BTW: People with autism are NOT mentally ill. We are different. Our brains are hardwired differently. Temple Grandin (Ph.D. and an autistic) describes it as "Thinking in Pictures"

 

[nekvermont]

God makes mental illness such as these. Living with a child so afflicted, I cannot reason why.

I keep reading this and keep wondering if I'm missing something or if your really just a cold hearted, self centered, in-compassionate person.

 

[Colonialgirl]

God makes mental illness such as these. Living with a child so afflicted, I cannot reason why.

I keep reading this and keep wondering if I'm missing something or if your really just a cold hearted, self centered, in-compassionate person.

You ARE missing something; I'd off hand say common sense and intelligence.

 

[ChiefMuzz]

God makes mental illness such as these. Living with a child so afflicted, I cannot reason why.

If you believe in God, Christ and the Scriptures as such I think you may misunderstand something. God did not "create" illness, affliction or disease. He created man and woman perfect, in a body that could last forever. The first sin immediately changed that. Subsequently sin continued to degrade not only man but the earth he created. What we see today is the consequences of that. The acripture makes it clear that was how we created and when we ultimately come back to the perfect state we were created to be in, those things won't exist. They are a product and consequence of mans disobedience.

Now I hope that does not sound cold or callused. I have compassion for and on the parents and loved ones with children with special needs and disabilities. I was the chairman for the Western PA Special Olympics, coached Special Olympics volleyball, ran after school programming for children with autism, visual impairments and MR. I just understand it to be a product of man and not God and know that God loves those children more than we could ever in this life and one day, according to his plan, it will be no more.

 

[nekvermont]

God makes mental illness such as these. Living with a child so afflicted, I cannot reason why.

I keep reading this and keep wondering if I'm missing something or if your really just a cold hearted, self centered, in-compassionate person.

Mohavesam, I believe I did indeed misinterpret what you had written, please except my apologies. I'm so sorry.

 

[tookalisten]

BearBio - thank you for posting.

My son also has high functioning autism. While there have been many challenges, prayers, laughter, and tears over the past 17 years, I will also say he has most likely taught me more than I can ever imagine that I have taught him. My wife and I will honestly tell you that we finally learned to understand him rather than making him conform to us, and life got a lot easier. He is an amazing human being - kind, caring, a very deep thinker, and has an incredible mind. I am a better person because of him and see life differently, and appreciate it more.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Even people without any diagnosis have problems fitting in.
We should all remember it is easier to be welcoming than the other.

 

[gramps]

My brother had autism, my sister and I believe( we are both nurses ICU/ ER), although my brother was never diagnosed with it. He would stand in the corner jumping up and down, and flapping his hands for HOURS. As an adult he only did it at home. He got to where he wouldn't talk with me on the phone. He died several years ago. He had a wife, and now grown children, who think of him as "special"
gramps

 

[sfhogman]

Temple Grandin delivers a TED talk entitled, " The World Needs All Kinds of Minds":

https://www.ted.com/talks/temple_grandin_the_world_needs_all_kinds_of_minds?language=en

20 minutes long and worth watching.

I first learned of Dr. Grandin and her work through Oliver Sacks' book, "An Anthropologist On Mars", which I recommend. He describes what interacting with her was like for him; he was very fond of her, and respected her greatly. When he asked her what it was like being her, she replied, "like an anthropologist on Mars."

In the course of my life, I've know several people with Asperger's. One is a good friend, and all are very interesting folks. The world really does need all kinds of minds...

Jeff

 

[RonSwanson]

My brain-damaged daughter (from a hit and run) has limited speech and mobility. Although almost always upbeat, she on rare occasions laments that "I will never be normal."

I tell her that "normal" is just a synonym for mediocre, and "You are unique, just like everyone else."

Thankfully, her sense of humor remains intact.

 

[dougader]

We didn't know my brother had Aspergers until he was diagnosed at 50. We just thought he was "different" in some ways; mostly social situations. He's brilliant in some ways, not so much in others.

My son was born with Down Syndrome, my daughter is very high functioning on the autism spectrum. She didn't speak a single word her entire first year of school, at age 7. Now she's playing parts in plays, a great outlet for her.

It's heartbreaking to hear a child say "Dad, I don't want to be handicapped," but I wouldn't change a thing. My kids are more perfect than any I know.

 

[Thumbcocker]

Our daughter had Asperger's. The Austrian psychologist who discovered the condition tried to persuade Nazi authorities that people so afflicted could be of great use in code breaking in order to save them from being euthanized. Our daughter was the most interesting and compassionate person I ever met and I am a better human being for having had 21 years with her. She suicided in 2013.

 

[mexicanjoe]

I have three autistic children, plus my little boy who is a blind quadriplegic. My oldst knows he's different bt can't really voice what that might be...they are high functioning, but different. Youngest daughter cannot understand why her brother can't see, talk, play or walk "normally".. She resents him, but still cares for his feelings, such as when he is ill. They may not be "normal", but they are my heaven sent gifts, and I can't love them any more, any less, or any different. They are UNIQUE!!!

 

[dougader]

Our daughter had Asperger's. The Austrian psychologist who discovered the condition tried to persuade Nazi authorities that people so afflicted could be of great use in code breaking in order to save them from being euthanized. Our daughter was the most interesting and compassionate person I ever met and I am a better human being for having had 21 years with her. She suicided in 2013.

I can't tell you how much your post moved me. I'm sorry your daughter chose to leave early, but I still believe God has a special place in heaven for souls like her.

I also believe we're the ones who will be judged in how we treat people who are somehow different than what some refer to as "normal."

God bless you and all those wise enough to see the value in special people.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

God makes mental illness such as these. Living with a child so afflicted, I cannot reason why.

If you believe in God, Christ and the Scriptures as such I think you may misunderstand something. God did not "create" illness, affliction or disease. He created man and woman perfect, in a body that could last forever. The first sin immediately changed that. Subsequently sin continued to degrade not only man but the earth he created. What we see today is the consequences of that. The acripture makes it clear that was how we created and when we ultimately come back to the perfect state we were created to be in, those things won't exist. They are a product and consequence of mans disobedience.

Now I hope that does not sound cold or callused. I have compassion for and on the parents and loved ones with children with special needs and disabilities. I was the chairman for the Western PA Special Olympics, coached Special Olympics volleyball, ran after school programming for children with autism, visual impairments and MR. I just understand it to be a product of man and not God and know that God loves those children more than we could ever in this life and one day, according to his plan, it will be no more.

Chief, I really think you nailed it here. Good job.

 

[dougader]

God makes mental illness such as these. Living with a child so afflicted, I cannot reason why.

I didn't realize it until about 20 years later, but when my son was born with Down Syndrome I was mad at God for doing that to my son. The anger sat inside and festered for years. In talking with an old friend, the words came out of my mouth and I was shocked when they did. Who was I to be mad at God? But I was, and I wrote it and vocalized it. How could He do that to my boy???

As the years go by, and I take into account what the Son endured - and how our Father in heaven must have anguished - I have made the choice to purposely stop my thoughts in this regard. I wonder to myself, "How is my pain even a meager comparison to what Jesus Christ endured on the cross for me, and my family, indeed... for all makind? And how does my complaint pale in the shadow of what my Father in heaven allowed so we might be saved?"

I feel somewhat ashamed when I look at my small pains and complaints when looked at through the lense of the crucifixion and resurrection.

I'm not posting this as a guide, or anything like that, to others. I just want you to know I have felt the same as you and maybe some others and how I reasoned it out for myself. This may, or may not, help others, but that's my only wish. YMMV.