Re: The portrayal of Autism in the news and media

[Guest guest]

All, When I told my Aunt my son had Aspergers Syndrome, the first thing she said was, "I feel so sorry for you with all that head banging and arm flapping." My son doesn't, nor did he, bang his head or flap his arms. She didn't ask any questions nor let clarify my son's condition. My brother thinks my son is mentally retarded. My nephew thinks my son is dangerous. He met my son twice. All my son did was look in one of his closets. My other nephew, who is Bipolar, treats my son as he would anyone else. On the news recently, there was something on the news about surfers for Autism. They had a tent and a banner saying same. If they "normal"kids, would they put up a sign saying, "Surfers for normal

kids?" Am I wrong here? Wouldn't that make everyone on the beach say it's a wonderful thing they are doing for "those" kids? I'm sorry. That sentence about Autisic people being sociopaths just made me angry. Eileen To: brenda@... Sent:

Thursday, June 21, 2012 10:23 AM Subject: The portrayal of Autism in the news and media Almost 15 years ago when my son was diagnosed, the general public had no idea as to what Autism was. With a growing awareness, there are also some dangerous misconceptions brewing out there and to be honest, it frightens me. Our kids already have so many battles to fight.BBC’s Sherlock, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Sociopathyhttp://autismbeacon.com/topics/headline/bbcs_sherlock_aspergers_syndrome_and_sociopathyThe Dangers Of Misrepresentationhttp://autismbeacon.com/topics/headline/the_dangers_of_misrepresentation Kosky

DeskinFounder & Editor, AutismBeacon.com------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Eileen -People are stupid.Sent from my iPhone

All, When I told my Aunt my son had Aspergers Syndrome, the first thing she said was, "I feel so sorry for you with all that head banging and arm flapping." My son doesn't, nor did he, bang his head or flap his arms. She didn't ask any questions nor let clarify my son's condition. My brother thinks my son is mentally retarded. My nephew thinks my son is dangerous. He met my son twice. All my son did was look in one of his closets. My other nephew, who is Bipolar, treats my son as he would anyone else. On the news recently, there was something on the news about surfers for Autism. They had a tent and a banner saying same. If they "normal"kids, would they put up a sign saying, "Surfers for normal

kids?" Am I wrong here? Wouldn't that make everyone on the beach say it's a wonderful thing they are doing for "those" kids? I'm sorry. That sentence about Autisic people being sociopaths just made me angry. Eileen To: brenda@... Sent:

Thursday, June 21, 2012 10:23 AM Subject: The portrayal of Autism in the news and media Almost 15 years ago when my son was diagnosed, the general public had no idea as to what Autism was. With a growing awareness, there are also some dangerous misconceptions brewing out there and to be honest, it frightens me. Our kids already have so many battles to fight.BBC’s Sherlock, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Sociopathyhttp://autismbeacon.com/topics/headline/bbcs_sherlock_aspergers_syndrome_and_sociopathyThe Dangers Of Misrepresentationhttp://autismbeacon.com/topics/headline/the_dangers_of_misrepresentation Kosky

DeskinFounder & Editor, AutismBeacon.com------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I hate how the media portrays Asperger's. I hate it when some talk show host exploits ASD. I especially hate it when people say "oh I know all about that because I watch Parenthood". (I have not watched Parenthood)Eileen, my mother says "I don't want to label her" but when she melted down at a restaurant she said "I just need to give her Benadryl to settle her down and she would be a good kid" (my mother has spent a very limited time with her (just hours) because we live ten hours apart) Teachers (not trained in autism) at IEP ignored the professional specialist's year long DX and said we don't see it, because they observed my kid for a few

minutes. My MIL said she just needs a wooden spoon with her name on it. She later said she "got it when the 700 Club TV show had a thing is April" but within a month continues to blame it on our parenting. Many people say give her drugs she will be better. I am not against people medicating their kids at this time we choose not to. Reading posts, one common theme is many of us don't seem to get the support we need. As if it is not exhausting enough to get though some days, it takes even more energy to ignore peoples hurtful, thoughtless and uneducated comments.

You said: All, When I told my Aunt my son had Aspergers Syndrome, the first thing she said was, "I feel so sorry for you with all that head banging and arm flapping." My son doesn't, nor did he, bang his head or flap his arms. She didn't ask any questions nor let clarify my son's condition. My brother thinks my son is mentally retarded. My nephew thinks my son is dangerous. He met my son twice. All my son did was look in one of his closets. My other nephew, who is Bipolar, treats my son as he would anyone else. On the news recently, there was something on the news about surfers for Autism. They had a tent and a banner saying same. If they "normal"kids, would

they put up a sign saying, "Surfers for normal

kids?" Am I wrong here? Wouldn't that make everyone on the beach say it's a wonderful thing they are doing for "those" kids? I'm sorry. That sentence about Autisic people being sociopaths just made me angry. Eileen To: brenda@... Sent:

Thursday, June 21, 2012 10:23 AM Subject: The portrayal of Autism in the news and media Almost 15 years ago when my son was diagnosed, the general public had no idea as to what Autism was. With a growing awareness, there are also some dangerous misconceptions brewing out there and to be honest, it frightens me. Our kids already have so many battles to fight.BBC’s Sherlock, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Sociopathyhttp://autismbeacon.com/topics/headline/bbcs_sherlock_aspergers_syndrome_and_sociopathyThe Dangers Of Misrepresentationhttp://autismbeacon.com/topics/headline/the_dangers_of_misrepresentation Kosky

DeskinFounder & Editor, AutismBeacon.com------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I agree!On the flipSide for me- I will know a child- KNOW they are on the spectrum-And open my mouth to help-And those dam shows- people say - no he's NOT like this!LolI remember once telling a friend what my son had - HFA-I said- its like aspergers - because that's more "known"His wife (before they had kids) said-Like rain man????? As if I was stupid my labeling my son like that.I find the older I get I shut up a whole lot more-It's not theirs to "get"Before I had a miscarriage- I said encouraging words to friends after mid carriages- words like- "you can try again! Now you're more fertile!"Or "that's natures way of ending a huge disability for you"Then I had a miscarriage- my eyes were open- and I grew-So it's not theirs to get. I do tell people when I'mOffended- that it's not ok to say what they say-I dot explain anymore- i simply say- hey- that's hurtful and I know you don't mean it.Setting a boundary without villianizing the boundary breaker is a learning challenge! Sent from my iPhone

I hate how the media portrays Asperger's. I hate it when some talk show host exploits ASD. I especially hate it when people say "oh I know all about that because I watch Parenthood". (I have not watched Parenthood)Eileen, my mother says "I don't want to label her" but when she melted down at a restaurant she said "I just need to give her Benadryl to settle her down and she would be a good kid" (my mother has spent a very limited time with her (just hours) because we live ten hours apart) Teachers (not trained in autism) at IEP ignored the professional specialist's year long DX and said we don't see it, because they observed my kid for a few

minutes. My MIL said she just needs a wooden spoon with her name on it. She later said she "got it when the 700 Club TV show had a thing is April" but within a month continues to blame it on our parenting. Many people say give her drugs she will be better. I am not against people medicating their kids at this time we choose not to. Reading posts, one common theme is many of us don't seem to get the support we need. As if it is not exhausting enough to get though some days, it takes even more energy to ignore peoples hurtful, thoughtless and uneducated comments.

You said: All, When I told my Aunt my son had Aspergers Syndrome, the first thing she said was, "I feel so sorry for you with all that head banging and arm flapping." My son doesn't, nor did he, bang his head or flap his arms. She didn't ask any questions nor let clarify my son's condition. My brother thinks my son is mentally retarded. My nephew thinks my son is dangerous. He met my son twice. All my son did was look in one of his closets. My other nephew, who is Bipolar, treats my son as he would anyone else. On the news recently, there was something on the news about surfers for Autism. They had a tent and a banner saying same. If they "normal"kids, would

they put up a sign saying, "Surfers for normal

kids?" Am I wrong here? Wouldn't that make everyone on the beach say it's a wonderful thing they are doing for "those" kids? I'm sorry. That sentence about Autisic people being sociopaths just made me angry. Eileen To: brenda@... Sent:

Thursday, June 21, 2012 10:23 AM Subject: The portrayal of Autism in the news and media Almost 15 years ago when my son was diagnosed, the general public had no idea as to what Autism was. With a growing awareness, there are also some dangerous misconceptions brewing out there and to be honest, it frightens me. Our kids already have so many battles to fight.BBC’s Sherlock, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Sociopathyhttp://autismbeacon.com/topics/headline/bbcs_sherlock_aspergers_syndrome_and_sociopathyThe Dangers Of Misrepresentationhttp://autismbeacon.com/topics/headline/the_dangers_of_misrepresentation Kosky

DeskinFounder & Editor, AutismBeacon.com------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

This subject has hit home for my family this week.  My Nephew (not blood related, as I am adopted), was dx'd with mild-mod Autism about a month ago (he's 2).  My mother came to visit them, and at the house of my brother's in-laws, proceeds to tell them all that my nephew is not autistic, that autism is only the government's way of taking away parent's control and right to discipline our children, and that it's My brother, sister-in-law, and in-laws fault for the way my nephew is because they are all spoiling him and allowing him to get away with his " brattiness, "  

I am 44 years old, I have Aspergers, and my mother and father have been in denial ALL of my life.  I did not get my dx until 2 years ago when my son (now 7) was dx'd with mild-mod autism. My parents labeled me as stupid, lazy, bratty, unwilling to be a part of the family, and would tell me all the time NO ONE wants to be around you, you annoy everyone and make us all angry, which is why they did a lot of leaving me home with my alcoholic father (we didn't know he was an alcoholic at the time, tho), instead of taking me on trips or outings because it was easier than having to deal with my meltdowns and so forth.  NO ONE knew I was sensitive to sight (bright lights), sound, and that crowds sent me over the edge; something I still deal with to this day.

I am not sure if my parents know about what BOTH my boys and I have been dx'd with, but my hope was that when my nephew's dx came about that they'd embrace him and accept the dx, so that maybe they'd do the same with my boys and me (my parents and I have been estranged now for 7 years due to them not accepting my choice in religious beliefs. We are all former JW's and I am now a born again Christian attending a church, and they are still stuck in the JW mindset and cannot move past it, and take issue with my church attendance.)

My brother had a yelling match with our father on the phone who sided with my mother, at the in-law's house; after which, he had a full blown melt down himself and through his cell phone across the room after the call with my father. I am thankful to say that his father-in-law took him to the garage and stayed with him until his own melt down was over, and has been the supportive " parent " my brother needs at this time.

My father told my brother that my mother has been a parent much longer than he has and that he should listen to her.  My brother told my father that they have not been active parents for more than 20 years now, as my youngest brother is in his late 30's; that no one knows the needs of his son like his parents do, and that the therapy he is in is already making a difference and all he is asking for is support and love for my nephew.  My father proceeded to tell my brother off, so my brother told my dad that since they could not be supportive then they would no longer be in contact with them, as support is needed, not accusations of parenting styles.  So now my parents are not only estranged from me and my family, but now my brother and his family as well.

My other 2 siblings are in full support of US and my brother in regards to our dx's with Autism/Aspergers, and they know how " Mom and Dad " can be, but it is still hard to deal with that two grown people cannot look past their own prejudices and beliefs for the betterment of a little 2-year-old boy, who is NOTHING like his Auntie Ashton (ME).  My brother says that my nephew's main issues are food related, bedtime related, too much stimulation related, but other than that he's a sweet little boy. I have yet to meet him, as they live in CA and I'm in WA.

Sorry this is so long, and thank you for reading.Ashton  (Aspie mother with 2 Autistic sons)

 

I hate how the media portrays Asperger's. I hate it when some talk show host exploits ASD. I especially hate it when people say " oh I know all about that because I watch Parenthood " . (I have not watched Parenthood)

Eileen, my mother says " I don't want to label her " but when she melted down at a restaurant she said " I just need to give her Benadryl to settle her down and she would be a good kid " (my mother has spent a very limited time with her (just hours) because we live ten hours apart) Teachers (not trained in autism) at IEP ignored the professional specialist's year long DX and said we don't see it, because they observed my kid for a few

minutes. My MIL said she just needs a wooden spoon with her name it. She later said she " got it when the 700 Club TV show had a thing is April " but within a month continues to blame it on our parenting. Many people say give her drugs she will be better. I am not against people medicating their kids at this time we choose not to. 

Reading posts, one common theme is many of us don't seem to get the support we need. As if it is not exhausting enough to get though some days, it takes even more energy to ignore peoples hurtful, thoughtless and uneducated comments. 

 

You said: All, When I told my Aunt my son had Aspergers Syndrome, the first thing she said was, " I feel so sorry for you with all that head banging and arm flapping. "   My son doesn't, nor did he, bang his head or flap his arms.  She didn't ask any questions nor let clarify my son's condition.  My brother thinks my son is mentally retarded.  My nephew thinks my son is dangerous.  He met my son twice.  All my son did was look in one of his closets.  My other nephew, who is Bipolar, treats my son as he would anyone else.  On the news recently, there was something on the news about surfers for Autism.  They had a tent and a banner saying same.  If they " normal "

kids, would

they put up a sign saying, " Surfers for normal

kids? "   Am I wrong here?  Wouldn't that make everyone on the beach say it's a wonderful thing they are doing for " those " kids?  I'm sorry.  That sentence about Autisic people being sociopaths just made me angry.

 Eileen

To: brenda@... Sent:

Thursday, June 21, 2012 10:23 AM Subject: The portrayal of Autism in the news and media Almost 15 years ago when my son was diagnosed, the general public had no idea as to what Autism was. With a growing awareness, there are also some dangerous misconceptions brewing out there and to be honest, it frightens me. Our kids already have so many battles to fight.

BBC’s Sherlock, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Sociopathyhttp://autismbeacon.com/topics/headline/bbcs_sherlock_aspergers_syndrome_and_sociopathy

The Dangers Of Misrepresentationhttp://autismbeacon.com/topics/headline/the_dangers_of_misrepresentation

Kosky

DeskinFounder & Editor, AutismBeacon.com------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I think that it is sad society is with respect to individuals with autism. I have always tried to teach my children to accept everyone with or without disabilities. I think that it's a shame that more children are not taught this way. People view our children and loved ones with Autism as wierd or harmful or a threat. The real threat is that we are taught as a society not to accept them. It is heart breaking that we have to teach our special needs children how to adapt to our cruel society on top of the everyday struggles that they already have to work extra hard to master. It makes it even harder for them to be successful in their achievements when our "normal people" are not taught to socially accept them or are not educated enough themselves to be supportive of them or the families that

work so hard everyday to be supportive of them

[Guest guest]

Well said! It breaks my heart to hear of some of the stories. Digges

Subject: Re: The portrayal of Autism in the news and mediaTo: "autism-aspergers " <autism-aspergers >Date: Tuesday, July 3, 2012, 12:15 PM

I think that it is sad society is with respect to individuals with autism. I have always tried to teach my children to accept everyone with or without disabilities. I think that it's a shame that more children are not taught this way. People view our children and loved ones with Autism as wierd or harmful or a threat. The real threat is that we are taught as a society not to accept them. It is heart breaking that we have to teach our special needs children how to adapt to our cruel society on top of the everyday struggles that they already have to work extra hard to master. It makes it even harder for them to be successful in their achievements when our "normal people" are not taught to socially accept them or are not educated enough themselves to be supportive of them or the families that work so hard everyday to be supportive of them