Chris was speaking to Sarah four years ago who mentioned she had Asperger syndrome and she wasn't able to do certain activities. Sarah said, "Having Asperger's means there are some things I can't do." I believe it is necessary to reanalyze the autism spectrum. Taking a fresh perspective on something that has previously been set in stone can help further our understanding of this condition and potentially open up new ways of detecting, diagnosing, and treating it. We strive to educate children on their rights, enlightening children, teachers and parents on this issue. Working in close collaboration with everyone, our mission is to ensure children are aware of the rights they have. I have been going to a variety of schools, having delivered workshops in a total of 140 locations. Autism is a wide range of behaviors, which can manifest themselves in a variety of ways. For example, individuals with autism may struggle to socialize, suffer from anxiety and possess obsessive traits or display disruptive tendencies. Children with incredible gifts in memory, focus, detail, and visual perception can experience both rewards and consequences from playing video games, among other experiences. While they may acquire valuable problem-solving skills and a heightened amount of coordination, there are numerous dangers associated with extensive play - such as decreased physical activity and aggressive behavior. Children living with autism spectrum disorder experience the condition in wildly varying ways. For instance, there are some kids who lack verbal communication skills, whereas others demonstrate unprecedented levels of intelligence and creativeness. However, the milder form of Asperger syndrome is shown by Sarah, just like several other cases observed. When Sarah told me "Having Asperger's means there are things I can't do", I naturally disagreed; the label isn't meant to imply that those with it cannot do certain tasks. Rather, the Asperger's diagnosis gives them tools and techniques to succeed.
At a prior meeting I had with Lisa - a mom who mentioned issues she was facing with her disruptive child - I began to reevaluate my approach to addressing similar situations. Because your child doesn't know how to socialize with other children, it is a possibility that the world could outcast your son or daughter as "the weird one". If this were to happen, it could start people talking and cause them to presume you are a bad parent. Imagine being put in such a situation. Your child's behavior has been so difficult and difficult that people began declining your participation in children's play-dates. The next thing you know, you have to take them to the child psychiatrist, who observe your child intently for seven months, eventually straining the family as everyone becomes more acquainted with the peculiar issues exhibited. Lisa was recently invited to a meeting by experts who sadly shared the news that her parenting approaches can causing her child's high-functioning autism, and it's highly likely things will worsen. They recommended constant involvement in this service in order to better assist her child.
My rethink is coming to life through Lisa, my mom, and me, a autistic child. She has been leading the way, showing us all what it means to have an open mind and embrace different kinds of thinking. I'm taking this example to heart and applying it in my own life. My mom had a special, less visible kind of power when I was growing up. She believed in me and formed a support system full of family and friends, so that I constantly felt that I could tackle obstacles no matter how hard they seemed. They provided me support throughout my life by consistently constructing presents and by helping me manage any difficulties I overcame. To ensure I had the tools I needed to be successful, my mother alerted my primary and secondary teachers of my "high-functioning autism," to promote a tailored learning environment. Growing up surrounded by her enthusiasm to instill a belief in me that anything can be achieved, my childhood was filled with stories of children overcoming adversity through films and books she made me watch and read. My mom recently explained to me how unruly I was when I was younger and prompted me to ask her "Just how bad did this get?" I remember my shocked reaction when she revealed, "You did finger painting with your own feces." Clearly, my autism was no picnic for her! I was absolutely astounded as to how she managed to survive my anti-social behavior throughout my childhood. Despite her refusal to accept autism as an excuse, she never once allowed me to opt out of any social engagements I had been invited to. Out of frustration, I once resorted to throwing a tantrum so strong that it engulfed the entire household. Worried about me smashing through the window, my mother instead threw my school bag across my bedroom. As soon as this happened and the bag crashed through my bedroom wall, I quieted down for good.
When my family eventually became too exhausted for me and my autism, they would send me to the comforting home of my grandparents as a refuge. My grandparents had a great effect on me in regards to my experience with anxiety; for example, my grandmother looked into techniques which have since been beneficial to me. I still practice them today as a way to combat the disorder. My grandfather was aware that I experienced feelings of intense fear and anxiety when partaking in any social sporting activities such as football and cricket. Therefore, he took time out of his day to sharpen my motor skills in order to reduce the occurrence of panic attacks. He used his humor and knowledge of sports to help me feel confident in myself, even though he was permanently wheelchair-bound. He had a knack for encouraging self-esteem and enabling me realize my worth - all this with the use of private lessons. At school, I was often called "'nine going on ninety'" because while my brother Steven was reading Aladdin, I was busy poring over encyclopedias, charting the intricate connections between various European royal families from the 14th to 19th centuries. Miss Tey, my grade two teacher, set an assignment and I matched it to my incredibly visual and detailed chart showing the connections of many families in the last millennium. My chart hinted at why this small community might be so out of touch, leading to so many revolutions and conflicts in our history. At nine I often encountered a bizarre situation - having done a PhD on the entire last millennium, Miss Tey’s task for me was completely different; “Just draw what winter looks like.” she asked while studying my interesting chart. Obviously, I thought to myself: "Not what I expected at all!" While I was only ten years old, sitting at my grandparents watching Gone With the Wind, the unfortunate passing of Bonnie, the daughter of the two protagonists stayed fresh in my memory. The heart-breaking horse riding accident served as a reminder that sometimes family trees bear broken branches. Even at age ten, I thought "How could the family tree have come to an end with no sequel in sight?" So I took it upon myself to create one; not only that, but I even included a sex scene as part of my personal endeavor in fulfilling my potential for autism-related visual perception and education.
I was very still fortunate in my school days for having created strong and lasting ties with wonderful friends. Growing up alongside these companions helped make the process of dealing with my autism and school an enjoyable experience for me. Erin, one of my primary school friends, noticed how quickly I seemed to soak up minor details during class. Despite this, I hardly obtained good marks due to being easily distracted. Nonetheless, Erin constantly aided and encouraged me to maintain a better focus on lessons - crucially aiding my grades. Tim, being my friend, taught me to identify social cues during my teenagerhood to prevent bullying. Sadly, this was especially important for me as approximately 80% of Australian secondary school students with Asperger Syndrome struggle with schoolyard bullying. Using my routine as a safety net, school came to an end. Now that I had lost this comfort, Alana aided in transitioning me to university life and help manage my anxieties. Determined not to get discouraged, she encouraged me to volunteer for children's advocacy groups and concentrate on fundraising efforts instead. Christine Horvath, my teacher, was a remarkable woman. She saw something unique in me when I was only thirteen - an unusual way of thinking, odd movements, a facility with words and an advanced memory. My teacher recognized my creative skills and saved me from simply becoming another student amongst many. Her support helped me to establish a reputation as a respected storyteller among my peers. Before, few knew what to make of me; now, though, I blaze my own trail in the storytelling world following her help as an example. When given the prognosis that I wouldn't achieve certain feats, my mom disregarded what they said and instead chose to believe I would succeed. Not accepting the proclaimed struggles, she swapped out negative views for positive mindsets, resting evidence that this path wouldn't just be unflattering but could also be impassioned.
My friend and I concur that there are distinct differences in how men, women, and autistic people view the world; we attribute these dissimilarities to origin from different planets: Mars for men, Venus for women and Pluto for autistic individuals. My brother Steven is on the left - he's the proverbial "boys' boy"; definitely a Martian. While my sister Marian is right smack in the middle, embodying all things Venusian. The boy on the right is from Pluto, displayed by his neatly put-together appearance with his socks pulled up, shirt tucked in, top buttoned-up, and not a single hair out of place for his combover. Wild thinking: I was basically dawning the eight year old hipster! I was totally ahead of my time, and essentially paving the way. Looking back on it now, I can't help but take a moment to admire how wild my thinking was at the time. Children on the autism spectrum, just like Pluto in our Solar System, have a unique orbit. Their minds simply move differently from most people's. Keeping this thought in mind, it leads us to consider that being on the autism spectrum has its own distinct aspect and value. We can almost do anything with proficient solutions. Even adding embellishment when needed is within the realm of possibility. My concentration turns to turbo mode for topics such as language, poets, and authorship. These made an exceptional impact on me. Our mental and emotional orbits can take a while to catch up when it comes to social skills. From personal experience, I know how hard it was for me as a kid to understand sarcasm, overly so! But, eventually, we find our footing and adjust ourselves comfortably.
When Sarah shared how Asperger's made her feel as though there were some things she couldn't do, it became clear that she was facing judgement from those around her who didn't understand the complexities of the condition. On the other hand, from an environment where my brave mother freed me from my disorder, I came - free of the stigma that had been inhibiting me. Twenty years on from my diagnosis, there has been huge progress with health innovations and how experts talk to parents. Despite this, I still observe how stigma can obstruct progress for those on the autism spectrum. It's essential that all of us take responsibility in tackling this issue together as it's prevalent across various fields, even as we speak. Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed in 1 out of every 88 children in the United States. While this diagnosis may seem daunting at first, these children bring many unique and special gifts to our lives. The immense contribution of Leonardo da Vinci to the Renaissance was recently identified and studied by Michael Gelb. Further, with respect to his notes-taking, visual perception, detail and focus many reasons suggest that he could have possessed a higher level on the autism spectrum. Da Vinci's life teaches us that everyone on the autism spectrum can benefit from finding a support network devoted to honing their talents and managing their difficulties. We must remember, however, that each person’s experience with autism is still unique and no two individuals are alike. Piero, who especially wanted to nourish his son's creativity, showed the artwork of his son to Verrocchio and said: "Look at what my son is doing!", which sparked the remarkable "I can" network that helped Leonardo da Vinci become the world-famous artist that he is still known for today.
It is interesting to ponder whether or not if in today's times da Vinci were born, he would be able to repeat his accomplishments of then. Mocking children, labelling them and holding them back can stifle the great innovators of today and even the pioneers of tomorrow; this concerning issue needs to be addressed here and now! We all can help to build a strong foundation in a child's life, by being part of their “I can” network. By lending our roles, support and presence into their lives, we have the ability to empower them and instill engender in the children an unstoppable mindset of believing they can. Never let a label limit you as a child or young person on this spectrum, as this spectrum can help you create your own special and unique label. Use it to your advantage and to discover just how much you are capable of achieving. Know that your child or grandchild is special; even if they may lead a focused life. Giving believed in the quiet magic inherent within them to help reveal their unique gifts will empower them. Your role as a parent or grandparent is an invaluable asset for passing on loyalty, love and support. Teachers should also create platforms that can make children feel socially visible and respected in the schoolyard. Such a step will ensure an environment where students feel nurtured and accepted. When you find your role in a kid's "I can" network, the sight of witnessing one of these kids gathered enough courage to drive their restricted life for success and growth is unparalleled. Seeing their frustrations, defeats, and disappointments transformed into a place of assurance and trust is unparalleled. I promise you that it's worth it! You witness their transition; from the incarceration of self-doubt to the liberation of self-confidence. Lastly, to my mom, who is here today: I thank you for that freedom. You have truly provided me with unconditional love and support; allowing me to strive and achieve my goals with faith and confidence. Your presence has meant so much to me ever since I was a child.
See also: https://mygodsentangels.com/