AUTISM - A World of His Own

AUTISM - A World of His Own

It's been a month long time since I wrote here..... But This child made me to write. Like many children with autism, I saw a Boy of 14, during my travel to a short distance, day before yesterday, concerned with this order. Often He hits my mind that I  couldnot  forget his Calm face living in “His own World”. Even as a young child, he was neat enough, relaxed and talked very clearly as we do. His mother says, But most of the time, He ignored other people. He seemed to live inside his own head. When things became noisy or confusing in the real world, He would bite himself till he bleed.  When He started school, he was put in a special class where things were calm and his activities were carefully planned.  He would talk to others if they talked to him first. He was also taking medicines that helped him control.

I am always surprised by how many parents of not-yet and newly diagnosed children seem fearful of the autism label. Many keep the diagnosis a secret to try to avoid a certain stigma being attached to their child. Others avoid an evaluation and/or diagnosis at all costs, because they think as long as it is not written down on an official piece of paper they can somehow avoid the reality that their child has autism. 

I don't fault these parents. I think they are trying to do what they think is best for their children. We ourselves had some hesitation about being open about our child's diagnosis. For us, it was never a matter of being fearful of getting a diagnosis, but more so a concern for his privacy and the matter of whether or not it was our story to tell. When we sat down and had that talk after the diagnosis, we agreed that being open about his autism and proud of who he is was our best way forward.

The label for them has always been more about getting their child access to the services and education He needs than anything else. A diagnosis, in a way, was a relief. It gives them a plan. It gives them a way forward and it gives them insight into the best ways to help Him achieve his highest potential.

I use both phrases when talking about a child’s autism. I sometimes say He is autistic. I sometimes say He has autism. Both to me are labels. Labels that do not scare Him. Labels, I hope, that one day make Him feel proud, and not ashamed.

Clearly, I don't mind that  child is labeled. But I do mind when people can't see beyond that label. There are so many areas of our lives that have become all about that diagnosis. I fear that the doctors, and teachers, and therapists working with Him will not always understand He is an individual, not a diagnosis.  He is a person, not a statistic. He is autistic, but He is also just a boy. He is funny. He is strong. He likes to snuggle. He likes to jump. Autism may be part of him, but it is not all of him.

Parents across the country asked our autistic children to describe themselves.  And even in houses where autism is talked about openly, all of our kids found a lot of other words to tell the world how they see themselves.  In fact, most of our kids didn't even mention autism; proving that they know they are so much more than any label.  They are individuals; each one with unique characteristics and strengths.  

Autistic may describe them, but autism does not define them. This is them. They are boys. They are girls. They are more than a label.