Comments on: We Are All Autistic http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/01/22/we-are-all-autistic/ and rockin' tha house Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:03:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: papyrus http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/01/22/we-are-all-autistic/#comment-428 papyrus Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:43:33 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/01/22/we-are-all-autistic/#comment-428 Excellent thought-provoking post. The 'normal' question is one that often fights its way to the forefront of our minds. And even if someone's not 'normal', does that mean bad? For so many people it does. Today we laugh at stories of people having their left hand tied behind their back because left-handedness wasn't normal. But this was happening not so long ago. I can second the mcewen's recommendation for "Spot of Bother". It'll get you laughing, thinking and wondering. Excellent thought-provoking post. The ‘normal’ question is one that often fights its way to the forefront of our minds. And even if someone’s not ‘normal’, does that mean bad? For so many people it does. Today we laugh at stories of people having their left hand tied behind their back because left-handedness wasn’t normal. But this was happening not so long ago.

I can second the mcewen’s recommendation for “Spot of Bother”. It’ll get you laughing, thinking and wondering.

]]> By: Tonya http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/01/22/we-are-all-autistic/#comment-427 Tonya Mon, 22 Jan 2007 04:39:03 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/01/22/we-are-all-autistic/#comment-427 My coworker (who is in her late 40s) has an adopted five-year-old son who has been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder and ADHD -- and is also currently being treated for childhood bipolar disorder. It's a very tough situation, and our company is not at all sympathetic to the time off she needs to take for his medical appointments/therapy or when the daycare calls out of the blue and can't cope with the child anymore -- COME AND GET HIM!! They've gone through at least a dozen daycares just in the 8 months I've been working there, plus two nannies who quit after a week. The world does not "get" these kids, because after all, there's no blood spurting or anything to indicate that something is wrong -- just "bad behavior" -- and sometimes violent and frightening behavior. She's so concerned that he's not going to be able to function in a classroom, since he has no impulse control and has constant and violent meltdowns. Even though it's early, there have been some positive signs that the bipolar meds are calming him. (It's so sad -- the birth mother was heavily into alcohol and drugs during the pregnancy, plus a history on both sides of mental illness). My coworker (who is in her late 40s) has an adopted five-year-old son who has been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder and ADHD — and is also currently being treated for childhood bipolar disorder. It’s a very tough situation, and our company is not at all sympathetic to the time off she needs to take for his medical appointments/therapy or when the daycare calls out of the blue and can’t cope with the child anymore — COME AND GET HIM!! They’ve gone through at least a dozen daycares just in the 8 months I’ve been working there, plus two nannies who quit after a week. The world does not “get” these kids, because after all, there’s no blood spurting or anything to indicate that something is wrong — just “bad behavior” — and sometimes violent and frightening behavior. She’s so concerned that he’s not going to be able to function in a classroom, since he has no impulse control and has constant and violent meltdowns. Even though it’s early, there have been some positive signs that the bipolar meds are calming him. (It’s so sad — the birth mother was heavily into alcohol and drugs during the pregnancy, plus a history on both sides of mental illness).

]]> By: Margaret http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/01/22/we-are-all-autistic/#comment-426 Margaret Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:52:44 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/01/22/we-are-all-autistic/#comment-426 This is a fabulous post, Michelle. Very thought-provoking. I know I have students with some of these issues, and yet, in a classroom of 30+ students with NO info about the kids, it's hard to figure out. I have chosen to err on the side of love, ie from a helping, understanding perspective and not punitive. It doesn't mean that I don't discipline, just that I am very explanatory, and calm when I do--and make sure to make it clear that it is for the student's best interest. This is a fabulous post, Michelle. Very thought-provoking. I know I have students with some of these issues, and yet, in a classroom of 30+ students with NO info about the kids, it’s hard to figure out. I have chosen to err on the side of love, ie from a helping, understanding perspective and not punitive. It doesn’t mean that I don’t discipline, just that I am very explanatory, and calm when I do–and make sure to make it clear that it is for the student’s best interest.

]]> By: mcewen http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/01/22/we-are-all-autistic/#comment-425 mcewen Mon, 22 Jan 2007 00:46:38 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/01/22/we-are-all-autistic/#comment-425 Looks like we have quite a bit in common. Glad to have another book to add to my nightstand [even though it's groaning already]. I read the Curious Incident on the plane back to England a few years back just after both my boys had been diagnosed with autism. If you liked Mark Haddon's style, I'm just reading 'A spot of bother' which is very good too. Best wishes Looks like we have quite a bit in common. Glad to have another book to add to my nightstand [even though it’s groaning already]. I read the Curious Incident on the plane back to England a few years back just after both my boys had been diagnosed with autism. If you liked Mark Haddon’s style, I’m just reading ‘A spot of bother’ which is very good too.
Best wishes

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