"Fixing" Autism. 5 mins. Please watch.

[meow]

It really is a crisis. As I just wrote to a friend...

"E has been banging his head again really badly. He has bruises on bruises and yesterday it was turning into this massive welty looking bruised lump and I broke down sobbing and holding him tying to stop him. And I thought "f*&k this! I've been to the pead, I've been to speech and OT, I'm on the autism center waiting list but who the f*&k is helping??" I've cried on the phone to the autism center and told them I am desperate for help but who helps? We're doing the most amazing job C. Just keeping these children alive, we're doing the most amazing job."

The families and these children need so much more help and support.

[*Ash*]

What an amazing man.
to you meow.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

That was quite insulting. Ever thought that autism doesn't need to be "fixed"? It isn't like cancer or AIDS. Yes, parents have to adjust - as does the child. But that doesn't mean anyone needs to be "fixed". There's nothing wrong with being autistic and the sooner people realise that the better.

[Cassius2]

thanks so much for sharing that father's story

FB: i think the "fix" part was more referring to his daughter's understanding. that this may of been the way she expressed it. no doubt she can see the toll it has on her family, and it is a battle for her to understand her autism and how it (doesnt) work in our society. i am sure her wish to be 'fixed' is only and truly to be able to participate fully in our life society. as it stands, there just aint room for them as there is not adequate support or understandings in place to allow them to live a full life.

at least, that's what i got from it (i was thinking that one of the cards he wrote at the end was that he wants to keep a promise to his daughter...).

[~mamaspice~]

Gosh, that made me cry! Thanks for sharing.

[Miss.B]

That made me cry too. His daughter is just so beautiful and affectionate. I loved that part when the father said that he will not be ashamed. That really made me bawl. Thanks for sharing.

[meow]

What if it IS like cancer or AIDS? What if autism is simply a few cells heading in the wrong direction and it CAN be fixed? I'll be damned if I'll tell myself I'm not "accepting" enough if I want to help my son stop feeling the anxiety he suffers, the frustration he battles and disconnect from society he experiences due to not being able to communicate. If he can be "fixed" I'll move mountains to give him that. In any case he's my beautiful little boy and I love and adore him- nothing would change that.

What I find insulting is the insinuation that by trying to heal my son I am obviously not "adjusting" enough. Oh sure. I guess I need to just change my outlook and accept that it's all sunshine and lollipops that my son will only eat 3 foods, has a head covered in bruises and backs off in the playground when other children talk to him because he doesn't know what to do. Nothing wrong with any of that at all.

[Mad Scientist]

That was quite insulting. Ever thought that autism doesn't need to be "fixed"? It isn't like cancer or AIDS. Yes, parents have to adjust - as does the child. But that doesn't mean anyone needs to be "fixed". There's nothing wrong with being autistic and the sooner people realise that the better.

I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that would like a cure for autism and I'm sure there wouldn't be many people out there who would turn down a cure, especially when people are watching their child hurt themselves, like Meow. People can accept a situation and still look for a way to fix it. There's nothing wrong with that. I understand your point about acceptance, but something does need to be fixed - whether it be a cure or support networks or changing the world. I, for one, hope that people never stop looking for ways to 'fix' in these type of circumstances. There is definitely room for improvement.

[Mum2SweetCs]

Thanks for sharing Meow.

I am absolutely amazed at the strength

[lilima]

I watched the footage. And I cried. I very rarely get emotional about such things, but this really makes me feel angry that Autism is not given the support it deserves.

I have shared the link on FB