"The real proof of that claim would be to show us the 30, 50, and 70 year olds with autism. I don't mean Asperger's. I mean adults who are like the children of countless friends of mine across the U.S. Adults who don't talk. Adults who bang holes in walls and who wear diapers. Ones who flap their hands all day and spin in circles for hours. Ones who scream and have terrible diarrhea and constipation." ~ Anne Dachel
Yes, please show THEM. That's right - they do NOT exist.
Katie: The REAL PROOF would be to show us the 30, 50, and 70 year olds with Autism. I MEAN Asperger's. SAME thing. I mean adults who make EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE TO FIT IN WITH NON-AUTISTIC PEOPLE! Adults who attend college. Adults who are employed (with or without assistance) and have friends and a partner. Ones who are married and appear in the media. Ones who run organizations and advocate for services, supports, accommodations, early intervention, better and improved treatments, and similar things.
Where are they? EVERYWHERE!!!
*Drum Roll* ... ... ...
Ari Ne'eman - President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, college student, employee, Autistic advocate and activist
Scott Michael Robertson - Vice President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, scientist, teacher's assistant, college student, Autistic advocate
Dora Raymaker - Board member of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, artist, employee, Autistic advocate
Michelle Dawson - Autism researcher, employee, Autistic self-advocate
Still unsatisfied...
Temple Grandin - college professor, animal scientist, Autistic advocate
Katie Miller - artist, employee, college student, Autistic advocate
Stephen Shore - I.A.C.C. Board member, Autistic advocate, employee
Jacob Pratt - Board director of Autism Spectrum Differences Institute of New England (in M.A.), employee, college student, Autistic advocate
Alexander Plank - creator of wrongplanet.net, college student, Autistic advocate
And you are STILL looking - *shocked beyond belief*
Donna Williams - artist, employee, writer, married, Autistic advocate
Joel Smith - employee, married, Autistic advocate
John Elder-Robison - self-employed, married, author, Autistic advocate, parent
What? You want more? Okay then - *last round*
Elesia Ashkenazy - co-director of PDX ASAN, parent, Autistic advocate, employee
Stephanie Lynn Keil - Autistic self-advocate, college student, artist, musician
Ryan McReynolds - Autistic, Singer, Musician, Songwriter, Actor, Politician, Genealogical Researcher, Engaged
and a couple hundred more (including some of those above) at the Autistic Adult Picture Project ("a2p2") at www.PlanetAutism.com/AuSpin/a2p2.htm
ReplyDeleteand me....
Add another name to the list of persons with Autism worthy of honor and praise:
ReplyDeleteRyan McReynolds - Autistic, Singer, Musician, Songwriter, Actor, Politician, Genealogical Researcher, Engaged