Weed For Kids With Autism??!
I saw this article today and was completely horrified. The author, a teacher at Brown University (so much for the Ivy League), admits to doping her nine year old autistic son because she can't deal with his tantrums.
My sister has autism. A severe case similar to this author's child. And my parents and my sister's teachers dealt with years of her tantrums through traditional therapies, which, while long, frustrating, and often-times grueling, have helped my sister learn to live life in spite of the limitations autism attempts to place on her.
The author of this piece didn't have the patience or time for that. Her solution was to drug up her 9-year-old... basically, keep him high all day so he didn't act out. Because the author saw her child as a problem, and not, well, a child, she didn't have any issues with this.
Let me make this analogy: Say your baby keeps you up at night all hours with crying. A traditional parent would rock the baby back to sleep, give it a bottle, play music, read another bedtime story until the child finally went back to sleep, even if it came at the cost of their own slumber. But the author of this piece would probably fill a baby bottle with a couple shots of Southern Comfort and make their baby drink till she passed out from drunkeness. Problem solved!!!!
This author is getting her child high... because it makes him easier to deal with. It's hard to get an autistic child to swallow pills, or undergo therapy. But give a kid with autism a cookie? They'll eat it right up. And then it's easy to get a high child to do just about anything... like Jaycee Dugard's kidnappers discovered.
What a horrific person!
The author wrote a part 2 presenting evidence of how pot has helped her child. For instance, he smiles more! But then again, she's not concerned with helping her child adapt to the world and gain some sense of independence. Rather, she is perfectly content to make her child a drug-dependent invalid, who will go his whole life not learning how to live with his condition, but instead, how to live in a cloudy daze.
Her concern is with a happy child. What if all parents tried to make their children happy in the same way? Maybe my mom could have fed me pot every day since childhood. I'd be pretty happy... at least until the drugs started to wear off and I realized I was a pothead still living with my mom at age 27.
What happens when the marijuana runs dry? The author better hope it never happens. Because she'll be left with a child who hasn't learned, hasn't grown, and hasn't adapted to cope in the world, despite his limitations. She'll be left with a kid begging for his pot.
She's learned to control her kid with drugs. Congrats.
Showing posts with label autism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label autism. Show all posts
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
ABC News Promotes Autism Cure Hate Group
Apparently, there's an organization trying to discourage a cure for Autism. ABC News felt this was perfectly logical, because their news team devoted a whole article on the subject. They wrote a largely favorable piece, giving credence to the belief that Autism is not a disorder, but instead, something like a lifestyle or race. Like homosexuality or being an African-American.
"We believe that the autism spectrum and those on it, are important and necessary parts of the wide diversity present in human genetics," the leader of this group said.
Perhaps he's right. While we're at it, why don't we also stop searching for the cure to cancer, and instead begin to celebrate their "cellular diversity."
I'm sure there are people who are very happy living their lives in wheelchairs. So let's stop trying to cure paralysis and instead tell mobility-impaired individuals to "celebrate" their new wheels!
While we're at it, why try to bring patients back from comas? Aren't comatose people valued members of society? Let them stay unconscious, and stay PROUD!!!
My point is, for low-functioning, severe cases of Autism, life is no picnic. It's certainly not something that anyone would want to celebrate. Unlike what some people may gather from ill-informed news reports, Autism is not merely a case of the brain thinking differently from normal people. In the vast majority of cases, it doesn't mean people with Autism are just simply a bit weird, or can play piano really well, or can count cards in Vegas. For those with severe autism, life will never be able to be lived without constant care. I know this because my sister Shari has autism. I do love her the way she is, but I also know she'd think I was an idiot if I believed she didn't want a normal life and instead preferred living in group homes, enduring hours of therapy, being confused and scared by others, getting frustrated by her failed attempts at non-verbal communication, and struggling with other health and personal issues. My sister developed a severe infection simply because she didn't have the ability to tell anybody about a tiny cut on her finger.
No one would mistake someone with severe autism as someone who's merely "different." This is a health issue, not an issue of celebrating diversity. My sister Shari is able to enjoy many things-- but a host of problems arise from the fact that she is not completely healthy.
I think its great that the founder of this anti-cure coalition is able to live a normal life, and has the ability to go on ABC News and speak eloquently about his plans for destroying funding for an Autism cure and condemning people like my sister to a heartbreaking life they have little control over. But just because he has that ability, doesn't mean he should assume that all people with Autism feel that way, or that all people with Autism wouldn't welcome the ability to eat, speak, and live the way they should be able to.
This is not to say people with autism, even severe autism, cannot accomplish many things. Indeed, it's inspirational to see just what those with autism are capable of, with the proper support. Elaine Hall's Miracle Project is one example. There are countless others. But those with autism remain held back-- not by society, like the founder of the anti-cure group would claim-- but by their handicap. Shouldn't they be able to have a normal life, if a cure could be acheived?
If you asked my sister what she wanted, she wouldn't be able to tell you. And for many people with severe autism-- that's the case. Why ABC News feels its appropriate to stab Autism cure funding in the heart is beyond me. And that's what they've done, by promoting a fringe organization led by people who have little concept of those suffering with autism at the other end of the spectrum.
Apparently, there's an organization trying to discourage a cure for Autism. ABC News felt this was perfectly logical, because their news team devoted a whole article on the subject. They wrote a largely favorable piece, giving credence to the belief that Autism is not a disorder, but instead, something like a lifestyle or race. Like homosexuality or being an African-American.
"We believe that the autism spectrum and those on it, are important and necessary parts of the wide diversity present in human genetics," the leader of this group said.
Perhaps he's right. While we're at it, why don't we also stop searching for the cure to cancer, and instead begin to celebrate their "cellular diversity."
I'm sure there are people who are very happy living their lives in wheelchairs. So let's stop trying to cure paralysis and instead tell mobility-impaired individuals to "celebrate" their new wheels!
While we're at it, why try to bring patients back from comas? Aren't comatose people valued members of society? Let them stay unconscious, and stay PROUD!!!
My point is, for low-functioning, severe cases of Autism, life is no picnic. It's certainly not something that anyone would want to celebrate. Unlike what some people may gather from ill-informed news reports, Autism is not merely a case of the brain thinking differently from normal people. In the vast majority of cases, it doesn't mean people with Autism are just simply a bit weird, or can play piano really well, or can count cards in Vegas. For those with severe autism, life will never be able to be lived without constant care. I know this because my sister Shari has autism. I do love her the way she is, but I also know she'd think I was an idiot if I believed she didn't want a normal life and instead preferred living in group homes, enduring hours of therapy, being confused and scared by others, getting frustrated by her failed attempts at non-verbal communication, and struggling with other health and personal issues. My sister developed a severe infection simply because she didn't have the ability to tell anybody about a tiny cut on her finger.
No one would mistake someone with severe autism as someone who's merely "different." This is a health issue, not an issue of celebrating diversity. My sister Shari is able to enjoy many things-- but a host of problems arise from the fact that she is not completely healthy.
I think its great that the founder of this anti-cure coalition is able to live a normal life, and has the ability to go on ABC News and speak eloquently about his plans for destroying funding for an Autism cure and condemning people like my sister to a heartbreaking life they have little control over. But just because he has that ability, doesn't mean he should assume that all people with Autism feel that way, or that all people with Autism wouldn't welcome the ability to eat, speak, and live the way they should be able to.
This is not to say people with autism, even severe autism, cannot accomplish many things. Indeed, it's inspirational to see just what those with autism are capable of, with the proper support. Elaine Hall's Miracle Project is one example. There are countless others. But those with autism remain held back-- not by society, like the founder of the anti-cure group would claim-- but by their handicap. Shouldn't they be able to have a normal life, if a cure could be acheived?
If you asked my sister what she wanted, she wouldn't be able to tell you. And for many people with severe autism-- that's the case. Why ABC News feels its appropriate to stab Autism cure funding in the heart is beyond me. And that's what they've done, by promoting a fringe organization led by people who have little concept of those suffering with autism at the other end of the spectrum.
Friday, April 27, 2007
What's Up Doc-umentaries?
(From the Tribeca Film Festival)
Sons of Sakhnin United, Autism: The Musical
My press pass to the festival has given me the benefit of attending preview screenings to movies and documentaries. I recently saw two documentaries I highly recommend.
Saw the documentary, "Sons of Sakhnin United," two days ago. I like documentaries where the filmmaker stays out of the story and just observes how everything unfolds. The tale of a predominantly Israeli-Arab soccer team struggling to stay in Israel's premier league has universal appeal despite its unique and volatile setting. Although there are poignant moments where the doc uses the story of the team to show the clash between Israeli and Arab cultures- most notably, when Arab player Abas Suan is booed mercilessly when he plays FOR the Israeli national team, and when a riot nearly breaks out in Jerusalem- the film is primarily a portrayal of a team on the brink, with a fan base as passionate and crazy as those in Europe and south america. One fan, for instance, won't leave his house for three days after a loss because he fears he might kill someone. He's serious. It's a documentary most sports fans can relate to, whether they're from New York or the Gaza strip.
Speaking of documentaries I can relate to, this morning I saw "Autism: The Musical." As my regular readers may know (all three of you), my sister Shari is autistic. So I was very interested in seeing the doc. I was a bit worried though. Oftentimes, publicized stories about autism tend to focus on high functioning autistic kids, or those with asperger's syndrome... and as a result, some ill-informed people tend to think autism is some sort of "idiot-savant" type of disease. More than a few times, after I tell people that my sister is autistic they ask, "So, she can like, play the piano really well?" That's not the case. With a title like "Autism: the Musical," I worried the doc would only depict that small slice of the autism community that has been given a gift along with the curse.
But my fears were allayed by the first minute of the documentary, where Elaine Hall tearfully talks about praying to God to get through one more bathtime with her adopted autistic son Neil, who often reacts with violent tantrums when faced with a bathtub. I saw a lot of similarities between Elaine's son Neil and my sister. Very limited speech, anti-social behavior, a sweet, kind demeanor prone to breaking out in random fits of violence, set off by the tiniest things.
The kids portrayed in Autism: The Musical come from all over the spectrum of the syndrome. While one can play the cello, others, like Elaine's son, are greatly challanged. Medical science has not been able to determine why one person with autism functions differently from another, and categorizing these kids is not something that can be done with any kind of certainty. There's a scene where a mother and father of a boy named Wyatt visit an advocate to find out about placing their son in a different school, and the advocate informs them (rather bluntly) that their son is "not high functioning." He's basing his analysis on an IQ test that claims to reveal what Wyatt can and cannot do. To me, and anybody else who watches Wyatt in this documentary, the advocate is clearly wrong.
To Elaine an IQ test does not accurately show what these kids are capable of. She believes they can accomplish more. Like a musical.
Elaine created a program, called The Miracle Project, in which Autistic children hit the stage to perform an original musical. They contribute to the script, sing, dance and act. The documentary follows Elaine and five sets of parents and their kids as they prepare for their night in the spotlight (including rocker Stephen Stills and his delightful dinosaur-obsessed autistic son, Henry).
The "miracle" of The Miracle Project is Elaine's ability to harness the unbridled, volatile energy of these kids and focus it into something productive and positive. All while dealing with sometimes misbehaving kids and their often stressed out parents.
Elaine spent four years raising Neil by herself after she and her husband divorced. There are countless points in the documentary that show the severe strain caring for an autistic child can put on a marriage. Luckily, my parents are the strongest people alive.
What I love about the documentary is, by the end of the film, everybody has found something. A strength they never knew they had, confidence, love. It's a movie that doesn't shy away from the more heartbreaking aspects of autism, but gives these kids and their amazingly dedicated parents the respect they deserve. These kids will always be different, but creating the musical helps them, and--perhaps even more importantly, their parents--realize that being different is okay. Joy and fulfillment are not exclusive to the unafflicted. It's an uplifting story and I suggest you check it out, whether you have an autistic child or not. If it doesn't help you understand what autism is, then nothing will.
For More About The Movie:
www.autismthemusical.com
For More About Autism:
www.edenservices.org
(From the Tribeca Film Festival)
Sons of Sakhnin United, Autism: The Musical
My press pass to the festival has given me the benefit of attending preview screenings to movies and documentaries. I recently saw two documentaries I highly recommend.
Saw the documentary, "Sons of Sakhnin United," two days ago. I like documentaries where the filmmaker stays out of the story and just observes how everything unfolds. The tale of a predominantly Israeli-Arab soccer team struggling to stay in Israel's premier league has universal appeal despite its unique and volatile setting. Although there are poignant moments where the doc uses the story of the team to show the clash between Israeli and Arab cultures- most notably, when Arab player Abas Suan is booed mercilessly when he plays FOR the Israeli national team, and when a riot nearly breaks out in Jerusalem- the film is primarily a portrayal of a team on the brink, with a fan base as passionate and crazy as those in Europe and south america. One fan, for instance, won't leave his house for three days after a loss because he fears he might kill someone. He's serious. It's a documentary most sports fans can relate to, whether they're from New York or the Gaza strip.
Speaking of documentaries I can relate to, this morning I saw "Autism: The Musical." As my regular readers may know (all three of you), my sister Shari is autistic. So I was very interested in seeing the doc. I was a bit worried though. Oftentimes, publicized stories about autism tend to focus on high functioning autistic kids, or those with asperger's syndrome... and as a result, some ill-informed people tend to think autism is some sort of "idiot-savant" type of disease. More than a few times, after I tell people that my sister is autistic they ask, "So, she can like, play the piano really well?" That's not the case. With a title like "Autism: the Musical," I worried the doc would only depict that small slice of the autism community that has been given a gift along with the curse.
But my fears were allayed by the first minute of the documentary, where Elaine Hall tearfully talks about praying to God to get through one more bathtime with her adopted autistic son Neil, who often reacts with violent tantrums when faced with a bathtub. I saw a lot of similarities between Elaine's son Neil and my sister. Very limited speech, anti-social behavior, a sweet, kind demeanor prone to breaking out in random fits of violence, set off by the tiniest things.
The kids portrayed in Autism: The Musical come from all over the spectrum of the syndrome. While one can play the cello, others, like Elaine's son, are greatly challanged. Medical science has not been able to determine why one person with autism functions differently from another, and categorizing these kids is not something that can be done with any kind of certainty. There's a scene where a mother and father of a boy named Wyatt visit an advocate to find out about placing their son in a different school, and the advocate informs them (rather bluntly) that their son is "not high functioning." He's basing his analysis on an IQ test that claims to reveal what Wyatt can and cannot do. To me, and anybody else who watches Wyatt in this documentary, the advocate is clearly wrong.
To Elaine an IQ test does not accurately show what these kids are capable of. She believes they can accomplish more. Like a musical.
Elaine created a program, called The Miracle Project, in which Autistic children hit the stage to perform an original musical. They contribute to the script, sing, dance and act. The documentary follows Elaine and five sets of parents and their kids as they prepare for their night in the spotlight (including rocker Stephen Stills and his delightful dinosaur-obsessed autistic son, Henry).
The "miracle" of The Miracle Project is Elaine's ability to harness the unbridled, volatile energy of these kids and focus it into something productive and positive. All while dealing with sometimes misbehaving kids and their often stressed out parents.
Elaine spent four years raising Neil by herself after she and her husband divorced. There are countless points in the documentary that show the severe strain caring for an autistic child can put on a marriage. Luckily, my parents are the strongest people alive.
What I love about the documentary is, by the end of the film, everybody has found something. A strength they never knew they had, confidence, love. It's a movie that doesn't shy away from the more heartbreaking aspects of autism, but gives these kids and their amazingly dedicated parents the respect they deserve. These kids will always be different, but creating the musical helps them, and--perhaps even more importantly, their parents--realize that being different is okay. Joy and fulfillment are not exclusive to the unafflicted. It's an uplifting story and I suggest you check it out, whether you have an autistic child or not. If it doesn't help you understand what autism is, then nothing will.
For More About The Movie:
www.autismthemusical.com
For More About Autism:
www.edenservices.org
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