My 15 year old son is severely impacted by his Autistic Disorder. It presents real challenges for his ability to function in every aspect of his life. He has an Autistic Disorder that manifests in his limited understanding of the world, in repetitive, obsessive behaviors, in self injurious behaviors to name only a few. He will have to live his life dependent on the care of others, every day for the rest of his life. My son has an Autistic DISORDER diagnosis. My son is a joy but his autism is not a joy. His autism is not a blessing.
Some parents of children with autism disorders delude themselves and tell the world that autism is a joy. In doing so they are misrepresenting the realities of their children's autism disorder. People do not seek medical attention for their children, their children do not receive DSM or ICD autism spectrum disorder diagnoses, because of the joys or blessings in their children's lives.
By all means parents, and high functioning persons with autism or Asperger's disorder diagnoses, write books, make public appearances, build a lucrative career as a parent of an autistic child or as an "autie" or an "aspie", blog and tweet away. But please do not tell the world that up is down, that in is out, or that autism disorders are not disorders.
Please do not misrepresent the realities of autism disorders.
