Autism Therapy: Numbers and Division

So, the CDC finally weighed in with their numbers last week.  1 in 110 children in this county with autism.  That’s actually lower than previously announced (1 in 91), but considering that it’s the CDC (sorry, had to take a gratuitous swipe).

Now comes the fighting within the autism community.  And quite frankly, it makes me ILL!

The bio-med community vs. the genetics community.  Everyone sparring on Twitter and Facebook over the weekend.  I caught a bit of it myself on Twitter, Facebook and e-mail with the release of my book. Oh, well.  I have thick skin. Everyone has an opinion as to where autism came from.  Truth is:  no one truly knows.

Then, there’s the adult Asperger’s community.  And I feel for them.  They do not feel acceptance.  It is difficult for them in the work force.  They have had to endure a life of not fitting in anywhere.  They finally have a diagnosis.  But where DO they fit in? We can learn so much from their experiences, but will we listen?

Honestly,  will we listen to each other?  Until we do, we shouldn’t expect anyone outside of our community to listen to US.  Until we can have respectful dialog and appreciate each other’s differences, we will never advance the one thing that unites us all:  Autism Awareness.

I’m sure that you have an opinion on this and I would LOVE to hear it!  In the spirit of Christmas and the holiday season, let’s open the dialog.  Ideas on detente?  Olive branch?  Let’s make this one of our goals for 2010.  Peace in the Autism Community.

Blessings,

Deb