THE NEURODIVERSE.....
Okay, I have said it...
Now, let me start the 12 step program....
1. I will treat my Autistic children with RESPECT....note, I said my Autistic children....
My 13 year old BRILLIANT daughter, who happens to have Asperger's has told me she prefers to be called Autistic, rather than having Autism....
2. I will admit that a power greater than myself made these amazing children who they are and it is beyond my control to try to change them.
3. I will take away the powers of the "pseudo", "quacky" doctors who try to cure my children and let them be the truly gifted children they were meant to be.....
Note: I did not say take away the necessary therapies; ie, speech, occupational, physical and play therapies necessary for the growth and improvement of our autistic children.
4. Morally see that my children are the gifts they were meant to be.
5. Admit to my children that I will never do anything to harm or change them.
6. I am entirely ready to teach them and society to be ready for their gifts.
7. Remind them to be humble and respectful. To be able to behave themselves when out in public. To show the world that Autism is not threatening to society.
8. Make a list of all the "quacks" in the world and do my best to avoid them.
9. Do my best to teach the parent's of newly diagnosed parents know that there is life beyond the initial diagnosis.
10. Continue to stand by my ethics and ignore the negative that is always trying to intrude into our lives....you know who you are...
11. Make sure my children ALWAYS know they were wanted. Not the image of the child I thought I would have, but the gift that stands before me.
Knowing that Autism is not about me as a parent....but about the child in front of me.
and 12. Having known that my child will not only be a vital part of society, but Society will be vital having my children involved.
My daughter Deirdre asked my why every show on Autism is about the parent whining about having an Autistic child. She was devastated when she watched "Autism Every Day" when the mother of a child stated she wanted to drive off a bridge....the child was sitting right there.
Deirdre was confused what Autism had to do with the parent.....
This child is BRILLIANT....
Autism is not about good parenting, bad parenting, grandparenting, etc.
Autism is about accepting a social group of persons who are different than what society considers to be "normal".....
Autism is not threatening to society.
Persons with Autism will teach our society how to be more caring and loving. They will teach us that we do not have to be the same...we are all beneficial...
At least, that is what we are being taught in my home......
About Me
- Mom26children
- I am the proud mother of 6 children. 5 of our children have autism. We do not feel our world has ended, but just begun. We do not chelate, intervene biochemically, give shots of any kind, practice ABA, etc. We treat them as we treat any humanbeing. We treat them with kindness and respect and expect the same from them. They are exceptional children.
Friday, August 03, 2007
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4 comments:
"Hi, my name is jeannette, and I'm one of the neurodiverse"
"Hi Jeanette!"
This is great. :-)
This is excellent! Thanks for the reminders. Deirdre is a smart cookie. :-)
You have a very smart daughter!
I think you are right on!! I used to teach autistic children (yes, ABA). I thought it was helpful by way of teaching kids activities of daily living, because that's important for all of us to know. However, so many parents (again with the parents) just wanted us to "cure" them, and sent them off to so many different places and had them on so many medications that they never engaged and spent quality time how the kids wanted. It was really discouraging, until one mom I met just adored her son. She had Gr8ful on her license plates. You reminder me of her. Children are a blessing, we should all try our best to help the kids be the best person that God created them to be. I'll send your link on to some of my friends who still teach! God bless you and your family always!
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