Walking across the intersection at the corner of King and Carleton Street in Fredericton today I saw former New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham coming from the opposite direction. I was very happy to see him and took advantage of the opportunity to shake his hand and thank him in person for the outstanding contributions he made to the lives of children with autism disorders in New Brunswick. I have thanked him publicly in the media and on this blog site but I appreciated the opportunity to thank him face to face.  

Shawn Graham built on the autism programs started during the Bernard Lord government in provision of quality autism early intervention.  He expanded significantly the number of education assistants and resource teachers with autism training at the UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training program.  

It was a high point of my day to be able to say thank you in person to Shawn Graham on behalf of my son Conor and the other many children with autism disorders in New Brunswick who enjoy quality early intervention and accommodation of their challenges in achieving meaningful access to an evidence based approach to inclusive education. 

Thank you again Mr. Graham!

The succinct and famous quote by Stephen Shore about the variation and complexity of autism disorders is cited often and just as often ignored. In fact it is ignored completely by the DSM5 which has merged high functioning autism and Asperger's into the streamlined New Autism Spectrum Disorder while ignoring the varied and complex realities, the heterogeneity of autism disorders.  As the parent of a severely autistic son with profound development delays, as an autism advocate who has visited adults with severe autism symptoms living in psychiatric facilities,  I do not agree with or support the vanilla flavored, stream lined DSM5 "autism". It does not reflect reality, it does not reflect the complex heterogeneity of autism disorders.

As a humble autism parent advocate  I am well aware that my opinions are worth   little to the DSM5 intelligentsia or to autism researchers generally. Most autism researchers tend to be courteous but dismissive, even condescending, in responding to my concerns about the express exclusion of the intellectually disabled under the DSM5 autism definition. That exclusion will make life easier for them as researchers but do nothing to help those who display all the symptoms of autism disorders but will be excluded because they are also intellectually disabled.

Autism researchers employing fMRI's that are widely featured and profiled in current autism research will be able to continue their misleading and unethical practices of excluding the most severely challenged autism participants while pretending their findings apply across the entire "autism spectrum".  Researchers will be able to continue their exclusionary practices because their needs are being accommodated by the DSM5 team which redefines autism to exclude those persons who are too difficult to study; who simply can not be counted on to sit still underneath a machine or to answer a questionnaire.

There are, however, voices that are more difficult to ignore; be they critics generally of the DSM5 or those who specifically critique the new autism definition.  Frances, Volkmar, Ritvo, Matson are but a very small selection of the credible autism and mental health researchers who have questioned the DSM5's  new and oversimplified Autism Spectrum Disorder.  In previous commentaries I have mentioned Lynn Waterhouse's writings on the complexity and variation of autism. Her vision of autism, as I understand it (while still working my way through her recent book on the subject) is inconsistent with the simplified autism of the DSM5.

Thomas R. Insel, M.D.. Director, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and Chair of the IACC has not, to my knowledge, openly criticized the DSM5 generally or the DSM5 Autism Spectrum Disorder.  On his Director's Blog in the commentary Words Matter though he offers a picture of autism that reflects its complexity not the oversimplified, streamlined DSM5 version of autism:  

" ...  there are many barriers to progress, not all of them are scientific. Some involve policy, some involve poverty, and remarkably, some are simply linguistic. In mental health, we are stymied by our language. The most obvious linguistic problem can be found in our current diagnostic terms, what my predecessor Steve Hyman has called “fictive categories.” Terms like “depression” or “schizophrenia” or “autism” have achieved a reality that far outstrips their scientific value. Each refers to a cluster of symptoms, similar to “fever” or “headache.” But beyond symptoms that cluster together, there should be no presumption that these are singular disorders, each with a single cause and a common treatment. Recall that Bleuler, who first introduced the term schizophrenia over a century ago, referred to “the schizophrenias.” And with new genetic discoveries, scientists are beginning to describe “the autisms,” a group of neurodevelopmental disorders of diverse causes. 

.......  

"there is a more fundamental role for science, which is nothing less than the quest for understanding our world. The homeless man with schizophrenia, the non-verbal child with autism, and the soldier with PTSD need services and treatment, but also understanding—because the quest for understanding spawns compassion, intimacy, and even wonder."

Insel's autisms, a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with diverse causes, reflects the complex, varied, heterogeneity of autism symptoms and challenges. Lynn Waterhouse in  Rethinking Autism: Variation and Complexity has provided a similar perspective, an alternative to the DSM5's oversimplified and exclusionary Autism Spectrum Disorder.  

The APA will probably push through with the simple version of autism.  It will not advance the science involved in understanding autism.  It will not assist in finding causes, risk factors, treatment or cures for autism disorders.  It will not assist in  providing services that better fit the complex and varied challenges facing those who actually suffer from the daily limitations the autism disorders impose on their lives.

The DSM5 oversimplified  autism will probably be pushed upon us by Lord, Swedo and company. Hopefully though clinicians and researchers will not follow their lead and will instead consider the Waterhouse and Insel perspectives,  rethink the autism disorders, and embrace the varied and complex realities they present so that those who suffer from "the autisms" can be better helped to live happier,  more rewarding lives.

I was fortunate, and my son Conor was fortunate, that not too long after his autism diagnosis I attended an autism parent meeting where I met a registered nurse named Dawn Bowie. Dawn's autistic son was a couple of years older than Conor. When I began expressing some of my doubts about early intervention, doubts inspired by reading Neurodiversity literature, Dawn Bowie responded as perhaps only a nurse can do. She looked me right in the eye and in a very firm tone said "You listen mister you get treatment for your son, if you can, as much as you can".

There weren't many autism treatment resources available in Fredericton 14 years ago when my son was diagnosed at the age of two. But I sought out the treatment that Dawn recommended and I became an advocate for autism services in New Brunswick along with Dawn Bowie and many other autism parents. As the parent of a now 16 year old son I don't know if he could have attended school all these years, or if he would still be living with us, if he had not received the ABA he has received and if we had not learned how to manage his behavior through our own efforts to apply ABA principles at home. 

Early effective ABA intervention for your autistic child. It's the best advice I received for my autistic son. Absolutely check with your child's treating professionals but I suspect you will receive the same advice ... get as much early ABA treatment for your autistic child as you can. It was the best autism advice this father of a severely autistic son ever received. 

My previous commentary on the irrationality of, and harm caused by, Neurodiversity follows. It includes references to an American Medical Association commentay in which Dr. Magaret Moon questions the ethics of parents refusing available effective ABA treatment for their autistic children, parents who have imbibed the anti-cure rhetoric.  My comment also includes an earlier reference to Dawn's advice ... the best autism advice I ever received. 

An immigrant South Korean family, Sungsoo Kim, wife Sunmi Kim, daughter Lisa and son Taehoon, have been living in Canada for the past 9 years. A permanent residency application has been rejected  by Canadian officials because the 12 year old son   is autistic.  He  received the autism diagnosis several years ago but after he and his father, Sungsoo Kim,  had arrived in Canada.   

Change is difficult, very difficult, for many people with autism disorders.  For my severely autistic son slight changes in his daily routines and expectations can result in serious problems.  I can not imagine the harmful impact on this 12 year old autistic boy,  to be sent to another country now, after growing up in Canada over the past 9 years.  He has South Korean heritage, a Korean name and family but this boy after spending 9 of his 12 years in Canada IS Canadian.  

I understand the costs argument but it is still heartless for Canada to send this autistic boy to live in  a country he does not know, absolutely heartless.   If and when harm comes to this boy from this decision Canada must bear a major part of the responsibility.  

I am generally very, very proud to be Canadian but I am not proud of the way we treat good people who have chosen to live among us and become part of Canada because a child is diagnosed after arrival with an autism disorder. Woe, Canada!

What exactly is Autism Awareness and what does it accomplish?

Can anyone, Autism Speaks, or any other autism organization, say with a straight face that they are promoting autism awareness when the official criteria for determining what autism is, or is not, changes every 15-20 years?  Can anyone say what autism is when the vast majority (CDC expert Dr. Marshalynn Yeargin-Allsopp) of those with autistic disorder, those with intellectual disabilities, are rendered a minority, albeit a large minority at 41-44% (CDC surveys) , with the publication of the DSM-IV and when that large minority are removed from the autism "spectrum" entirely with the publication of the DSM-5?

Can anyone pretend to be talking about the same autism when some are talking about severely impaired and challenged children and adults who lack any significant communication skills, suffer epileptic seizures and engage in dangerous Self Injurious Behavior while others, especially mainstream media like the NYT,  bemoan the challenges faced by very shy high functioning persons who function well in rock bands, businesses and quasi-governmental organizations but heaven forbid find, not unlike much of humanity, that personal intimacy with a person to whom one is attracted can be an awkward, learning experience during adolescence?

Can anyone stand up in good faith in this day and age and say that autism is an entirely genetic disorder when in fact not all identical twins both have autism when one does? Or when researchers find multitudes of genetic bases for autism but no single genetic characteristic of autism? Even after the overwhelming majority of autism research dollars have been funneled for years into a bottomless pit of genetic autism research?

And how about the French psychoanalysts who in 2011-2012 are promoting nonsensical, non evidence based, non reality based autism causation theories, including the "refrigerator mothers" theory of autism causation,  a dangerous harmful work of fiction that never did have an evidence basis? And they have the unmitigated audacity to sue Sophie Robert for exposing their incompetent, archaic nonsense to the world?


Unfortunately the gross autism incompetence of many in the French psychoanalytic profession is about the only thing that remains clear in the world of autism awareness. The very definition of autism has now become contentious. The impact of new diagnostic definitions on epidemiological based autism research can only be imagined but, if past is prologue, will not be helpful in increasing our knowledge of autism causes. 


I do not mean to discourage anyone from engaging in raising autism awareness.  But in this time of the great DSM-5 Autism Do-Over please be clear about what you mean when you say ... autism. 

This video is the first trailer for Medicare's Orphans by Medicare for Autism Now! which will examine Canada's shameful exclusion of autism treatment from Medicare coverage and the consequences for autistic children and their families. It provides a brief overview of the sacrifices made by the Hudson family, of the greater Toronto area,  to help their autistic child live the fullest, most independent life possible, sacrifices made all the larger by Canada's large scale neglect of autistic children and their need for effective, evidence based treatment.

I have written previously that persons who presently have autistic disorder or PDD-NOS and who are also intellectually disabled will be removed from the DSM-5's New Autism Spectrum Disorder. Whereas those with intellectual disability once constituted autism's vast majority as described by CDC autism expert Dr. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp the 1994 addition of Asperger's Disorder reduced their numerical weight on the autism spectrum.  With the new DSM-5 wording has intentionally been added to the definition of autism to exclude persons with intellectual disability from autism diagnoses. To be diagnosed with autism a person must meet all 4 criteria, A, B, C and D.  Criteria A requires the presence of "persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays."  Now, an email exchange between Lisa Jo Rudy of About.com autism spectrum disorders and Dr. Bryan King of the APA's DSM-5's Neurodevelopmental Work Group confirms that the effect of the DSM's New ASD will be to exclude at least some persons with intellectual disability from an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis:

"My Question for Dr. King

 

The British Columbia government,  Ministry of Children and Family Development, has taken an autistic girl from her father's care after she went missing, very briefly, and was found safe at the nearby home of a neighbor. The father is on social assistance and had care of two autistic children, with the agreement of his wife.  He is described in the Adrian MacNair - Abbotsford  News report on  bclocalnews.com  as a caring father.  

I felt a real chill reading this article and the father's description of his discovery that his daughter had gone missing. I felt that chill, in large part, because years ago my son Conor went missing on my watch and I reacted much as the father did in this case,  running around looking for him, then calling police. In my case my son was safe and sound in the neighborhood, at a local convenience store.  In Mr. Hoare's case his daughter was also safe and sound, at a neighbor's pool just two houses away.  In my case I recovered my son without further ado.  In Mr. Hoare's case the BC government took his daughter away from him as he describes:

 "More than three hours later, Ayn was found two houses over in a neighbour’s pool. She was safe and sound. It was a fairy tale ending, told by various media covering the story. And for a moment, it was.When the police brought Ayn back, she ran to her father and threw her arms around his shoulders as he breathed tearful relief. But four days later, representatives from the Ministry of Children and Family Development came to his house with orders to take Ayn away.

The BC Local News article goes on to describe the steps that the dad had taken to provide a safe environment for his autistic children.  When my son went missing we did call a behavior consultant who was already working with Conor and she designed some programs to encourage him to stay in our yard.  Even with that training though Conor, like Derek Hoare's daughter, requires 24-7 supervision. 

I hope that the BC Ministry of Children and Social Development does not keep this father and his daughter apart. I hope they work with him and provide help for his daughter.  Government's should not be punishing the father ... or his daughter ... because they face serious challenges arising from her autism disorder. They should work WITH the father ... not AGAINST him and not against his daughter's right to live with a caring parent.  A caring parent is an important asset for any child, including and perhaps especially, a child with a severe autism disorder.  It is an asset that should not be lightly squandered and taken away by government officials.

Judith Pinborough-Zimmerman, research assistant professor in the University of Utah’s Department of Psychiatry,  has called for more serious study of links between toxic pollution and autism spectrum disorders after a  preliminary review showed that children with autism spectrum disorders and other intellectual disabilities are more likely to have been born near industries that emit toxic chemicals or heavy metals. As reported by Heather May of Utah News the researchers found that children of mothers living within a mile of "Toxic Release Inventory" sites were were more likely to have autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities:

"They found that children born to mothers who lived within a mile of what are called Toxic Release Inventory sites that emit certain chemicals and heavy metals were more likely to have those problems. TRI facilities release or dispose toxic chemicals regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA maintains a database of all such facilities and the type and amount of chemicals they release.

• The risk of having an autism spectrum disorder was twice as big when living within a mile of one of six TRI sites emitting up to 5,000 pounds of the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel and mercury."

To this lay person a finding that risk of autism spectrum disorders arises by 2 to 3.5 times with children born of mothers living near one of these pollution sites seems to be a very strong indicator of the need for further "serious" study as indicated by Assistant Professor Pinborough-Zimmerman.   We can always cling to the unproven assumption that autism has a 100% genetic basis and keep finding excuses for why autism rates continue to climb for a purely genetic disorder.  Or we could actually try to find out what has been happening to our children.

It is difficult for me to rationalize the view that autism is a gift with the concept that autism is a medical disorder for which one must receive a medical diagnosis  before being considered autistic.  Admittedly I lack Kev's intellectual flexibility.  He might well be able to reconcile these diametrically opposed concepts but I can't do that.  I can't embrace two diametrically opposed concepts as both being true.  I have always viewed Neurodiversity ideology as inherently irrational.  

If autism is a gift why does someone have a medical  diagnosis? People don't seek medical attention because they have a gift.  We sought medical attention for our son 14 years ago because, even at 15 months of age, it was clear that he was not developing ordinary speech for a child his age and was not even acknowledging our presence when we tried to play games like peek a boo with him.  We were not seeking an autism diagnosis for him, I did not even know what autism was.  We wanted to know if he had medical issues. Ultimately after observation and testing he was diagnosed with an autism disorder.   Our son is a gift. We enjoy our every minute with him, even the challenging times. But his autism disorder itself is not a gift. It is a medical disorder which limits very seriously his ability to enjoy an independent life or to understand the world in which we live.

I can not reconcile the concept of a medical disorder, obtained because of serious functional and developmental limitations, with the concept of a gift.  Perhaps ND ideologue Kev Leitch is finally moving away from his embrace of the contradictory mess known as  Neurodiversity.  Perhaps.

The first two pictures show Conor today  at 15 and the last four show him 4  years ago at 11.  He is no longer the baby faced boy in the bottom pictures.  He is a young man.  But ... he is still Dad's Run Jump Fly Boy ...  full of energy and spirit. It is a gift he shares with his Dad.

Liberal Stewart McGillivray, who also participated in the candidate's forum in which Conservative James Moore made his "autism is not a disability" statement, has, along with NDP Mark Ireland, also confirmed that Moore did indeed make the "autism isn't a disability" statement. The two candidates confirm the information posted on the Medicare for Autism NOW! message board  by Elaine Willis, who was at the forum  and asked the autism medicare question that led to Mr. Moore's statement.  Mr. McGilliivray's confirming email was forwarded to my attention:

There are few mainstream media outlets that provide reality based accounts of autism.  Feel good stories and Rain Main stereotypes abound.  I have tried to present a reality based picture of autism disorders including emphasizing the fact that Autistic Disorder and the other PDD's now referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder are exactly that ... disorders. I was pleased to be interviewed recently as part of a brief article by the National Post which tried to at least dispel some of the myths about autism a disorder which interferes with the everyday life of those who suffer from it.

Autism is a disorder which impairs daily functioning abilities of autistic persons. If a person does not suffer any substantial impairment or limitation in their daily functioning abilities they should not be referred to as autistic, they should not call themselves "auties" or "autistics" and they should not misrepresent themselves to the world as being entitled to speak on behalf of persons with autism disorders, particularly those with severe autistic disorder.  Parents of autistic children face enough challenges without having to deal with myths generated by those who have no real knowledge of what it means to be severely autistic. 

In   Wellbeing: Tuning in to the realities of autism  Melissa Leong  and the National Post interview Suzanne Lanthier of Autism Speaks Canada about some of the myths generated about  autism disorders and the Rain Man stereotype which still dominate mainstream media autism accounts. It would take a series of lengthy, in depth analysis to cover all autism myths adequately. This short article only highlights briefly some of the myths but it does attempt to speak to some of  the realities of autism disorders.   Ms Leong interviewed me for the article and includes my  brief account of my son's  mid January, middle of the night, meltdown where he bit me on the bicep while I tried to grab his arm to prevent himself from hitting himself in the face and head.

My son Conor is a smiling, happy boy who is a lot of fun to be with ...  in him I find great joy  .... but not in his autistic disorder .... not in the disorder which limits his life, and occasionally causes him to injure himself and, even more rarely, those who love him.

Autism is a disorder and its harsher realities are not pretty.

First, I commend Suzanne Lanthier of Autism Speaks Canada for her impeccable courtesy and professionalism both in organizing the event and in moderating the discussion group.  It is easy to see why Autism Speaks  has engaged Suzanne as their primary representative in Canada.  She is very focused and informed. Autism Speaks Canada itself though  has not been a player in the drive for a National Autism Strategy which has taken place over the past 10 years. Autism Speaks Canada does not speak for the parent advocates in various provinces including here in New Brunswick who have fought for provincial services and for a National Autism Strategy. Any effort by Autism Speaks Canada to form a National Autism Strategy must be consistent with the efforts made by parents who have long fought for such a strategy. Otherwise there will be several boats rowing in different directions, not one boat with all rowing together in one direction, as the hope was expressed during the discussions.

Second, I was also impressed with Mike Lake, an Alberta MP and father of a 15 year old child with an autism disorder.  Mike Lake and I are diametrically opposed on issues of National Autism Strategy but he did take 2 hours from an undoubtedly hectic schedule to participate in the Conference.  He was impeccably polite and articulate and made his argument very well. 

Essentially though Mike Lake's argument  is the argument of Stephen Harper and the current version of the Conservative Party of Canada which says that autism falls within provincial jurisdiction and it is the provincial governments which must implement policy with respect to autism issues in health, education and social development. As a lawyer I understand the Harper/Lake argument but the historical fact is that Canada has not limited itself to the  hard confines of strict jurisdictional walls.  Cooperative federalism has existed for many years to permit federal efforts to address issues that  take on a national scope.  The National Health Care Act itself is a prime example of cooperative federalism.  The National Health Care Act would not exist at all using the Harper/Lake logic. In Canada our federal government has stood back and watched as more and more autistic children are diagnosed with autism disorders with current, reliable US, figures estimating 1 in 110.  Cooperative federalism is required in the form of national legislation to authorize the federal government to provide funding for necessary evidence based treatments and services and to ensure that the funding is used for that purpose in each province.

Across  Canada there are inconsistent and varied early intervention programs in place to help autistic children.  Apart from New Brunswick it is not clear that any other province has integrated autistic children into neighborhood schools in accommodated learning environments within the schools and with autism trained teacher aides and resource teachers when appropriate.  Our autistic children are also becoming adults and for those with severe, classic autistic disorder  who are low functioning and intellectually disabled there is a crying need for decent residential care and treatment. If our national government refuses to get involved many autistic Canadians will be denied a decent life.  They will have been abandoned in the name of frigid, hard constitutional rigidity.  

If Canada is to have a  real national autism strategy it must consist of more than surveys and internet information sites. It must be one which ensures that all Canadian autistic children and adults have access to evidence based treatment and education.  A real national autism strategy will be one which commits the federal government, through Federal legislation,  to work directly with the provinces to ensure that all autistic Canadians have access to evidence based treatment and education and to decent residential care and treatment.    A national autism strategy which does not focus on these goals will not help Canadian children and adults with autism disorders.  If a national autism strategy is not focused on achieving such goals it is a sham, a mockery of the desperate needs of many autistic Canadians and their families.

I got a very nice phone call yesterday from my mother,  shown with Dad and Conor in the top picture taken a couple of years ago at Mom and Dad's home in Nova Scotia. My sister Sandra had printed up the next two pictures that I had posted to Facebook of Conor with me, and with Santa, at the Autism Connections Christmas party last Saturday. Sandra was going to give them to Mom and Dad as Christmas gifts but couldn't wait  and gave them right away. Mom called to tell me that the pictures of Conor looking so happy  really made Christmas for her and Dad this year. 

Autism parent advocates have advocated for many years for a national autism strategy.  NDP and Liberal MP's and Senators including Peter Stoffer, Shawn Murphy, Andy Scott and  Jim Munson joined them in their efforts but no meaningful strategy has resulted in Parliament.  

Under Stephen Harper autism has been rejected as a concern by our federal government. A national autism symposium was cancelled and rescheduled after it became clear that serious autism advocates were slated to attend. The Harper government rescheduled  a sham national autism symposium to make sure that "local" representatives were put forth who would be  docile and not rock the boat by calling for federal funding across Canada of evidence based autism interventions.  

Medicare for Autism was not, and will not, happen under a Harper government.  Sure Mike Lake, a Conservative MP and father of a child with autism, will be happy to appear as a token autism parent/Conservative MP  at autism events to harvest PR for the Conservative Party but neither he, nor  Prime Minister Harper, will permit any serious discussion of a meaningful national autism strategy involving federal support of funding for evidence based autism intervention for all autistic Canadian children. Effective evidence based intervention for autistic Canadian children is just not up there with census forms in the Harper list of priorities

It comes as no surprise, given Harper's lack of concern about addressing Canada's national autism crisis,  that the same "not my problem", attitude of our PM is manifested in other non-action as seen in the following horror story from the Calgary Herald. A Canadian child visiting his stepfather in Oregon, who resided there for health reasons during the winter, was detained by state health authorities for riding a bike without a helmet.  He was in fact detained by the state for 2 years and placed in a succession of foster homes while his mother fought for his return to their home in Calgary.  Eventually he was returned and a lawsuit brought by the State of Oregon against his mother for child care expenses dropped after a group of lawyers stepped in to help.  The Canadian government under Stephen Harper remained on the sidelines as described in the Calgary Herald:

"I never expected to be sued for the cost of them essentially kidnapping my son," says Kirkman outside court."

Harper and his autism dad spokesperson Mike Lake have said that because health care is within primary provincial constitutional jurisdiction it can take no action to implement a serious national autism strategy. That position ignores decades of cooperative efforts between federal and provincial governments to address important issues using all available Canadian resource regardless of strict constitutional categories.  What is interesting in the Kirkman  case is that the protection of Canadians in foreign countries, especially Canadian children, is a matter squarely within federal constitutional jurisdiction but Prime Minister Stephen Harper did nothing to protect a Canadian child abroad. 

Autism is, by definition, a mental disorder. Autism is, by definition a psychiatric disorder. 

These autism realities are often ignored in the attempt by some persons to claim that they speak on behalf of persons with autism.  These same persons, purporting to speak on behalf of all persons with autism disorders, claim that "THEY" do not want to be cured.

The politicking involved in maintaining the impossible position of speaking for all persons with a mental disorder is challenging even with the backing of the New York(er) magazine and the IACC. Flip flopping is  frequent with discussion focusing on autism as a socially imposed disability rather than a mental or psychiatric disorder. The same "autism spokespersons" who purport to speak on behalf of people with mental disorder diagnoses avoid like the plague any mention of autism as ...... a mental disorder.  Although they embrace the autism label, a diagnostic category in the DSM they make no mention of what it actually is ... a mental disorder.  

A social disability, a way of life, a culture, a different way of thinking, a different part of a neurodiverse existence. All of these things for sure but not a mental disorder.  And they want me to reject what I know about my son's Autistic Disorder, his mental disorder, based on 14 years of living with him, caring for him, loving him .....  in favor of the views of some adult diagnosed persons views who do not know my son and  who do not acknowledge the reality of their own diagnoses?

Today is a day on which some in the online autism world are shutting down social communication in an attempt to draw attention to communication deficits suffered by persons with autism. It is an interesting idea and I hope it creates some buzz even though I am not participating. 

I have long ago chosen to speak out about autism disorders and on this day I choose to go back to basics and point out a basic that is becoming more and more obscured ... autism is a mental disorder.  It is a mental disorder which imposes severe life restrictions on many who suffer from it and can not drive Land Rovers, operate successful businesses, play in rock bands, attend colleges for gifted youth or work as researchers with prominent high functioning autism experts. 

Autism is a mental disorder for which we must not stop trying to find treatments and cures to improve the lives of those who suffer from the disorder.