Autism has become a hot topic lately. Awareness has been
raised to new heights. People are becoming more understanding and respectful
towards those of us with autism. It is slowly becoming easier to get the help
we need. This is a wonderful thing and I am thankful for it. This has made it
so my children are getting the help they need and not having to struggle the
way I did. Although as with most things there is a down side. Currently while awareness
is up it is mostly focused on the low functioning non-verbal side. People still
don’t know or understand that it is a spectrum disorder. For autistic people,
like me, on the opposite end of the spectrum where it is not as obvious this
creates new challenges. One of which is people thinking we are lying about
being autistic which has become all too common. This can cause self esteem
issues as well as trust issues both of which most of us tend to already have.
For me this is something I've learned to not let bother me if people want to
think I’m lying let them I’m not going to let it slow me down in any way. The
main issue for me is people hear about all the help and care autistic children
will need as adults and how they may never be able to achieve full
independence. This makes them assume that is true for every one with autism. So
when I say I am and independent autistic adult they question it thinking
someone has to be helping me. When they find out I’m a single mom not long
after child protection services usually shows up at my door. They tend to
assume my children must be neglected or abused since I have autism I shouldn't
be able to take care of myself much less kids. This is not true. I have been investigated
several times now and have never had my children taken from me. CPS has done
very thorough investigations and have always found that my children are well
cared for. We may be low income and not have much but my kids always have what
they need. Even with having been through this multiple times CPS still shows up
at my door at least once a year always for the same reason. Someone found out I’m
autistic and claimed I must be neglecting my kids because I shouldn't have the
capability to care for them. The sad truth is that this happens every where to
many autistic parents and some are not as lucky as me and have their kids taken
at the beginning of the investigation.
This adds a whole new unnecessary level of stress to the already stressful
job of parenthood. So while raising autism awareness is a good thing focusing
on only one side is harmful and needs to stop. We need to raise awareness for
all autism the entire wonderful, crazy, colorful spectrum. Another thing that
people need to be aware of is that where someone is on the spectrum is not
fixed they can move up or down it depending on many factors. For me when I was
young I was on the low end and non-verbal but as I aged I became verbal and
slowly moved up to where I am now on the extreme high end. Yes I still have
some issues that I will always have to deal with but for the most part people
can’t tell I am autistic. My oldest is doing much the same as I did started out
low and is slowly moving up he is now high functioning as well although not yet
to the point I am. My middle son on the other hand started out on the high end
and went down he is currently some where in the middle. So remember all
autistic people are different just because one or even several can’t do
something doesn't mean none of us can the same as just because some of us can
do something doesn't mean all of us can. We are all unique and have our own abilities
and challenges. We truly are a colorful spectrum.
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