Arrogance

Just been reading some articles on autism spectrum disorders, particularly the "causes" and the "cures." Two words kept sifting through my mind, "desperation" and "arrogance."

Autism is not AIDS, and autism is not cancer. Autism is something that individuals must live with. It is a neurological disorder. It is not a disease to be cured by those so desperate to have control over "fixing" everything. There are many who are trying---desperately--- to fix their kids whom they believe are broken. Can children with autism make developmental gains? Absolutely. My sons are living and breathing proof of that. I know others who have gained as well. It was typically because of the tireless efforts of their parents to set things in place for their success. And when I say tireless, that's an understatement. But I have not rubbed crazy creams all over them to "detoxify" their systems, nor have I loaded their systems with experimental drugs. I would try a special diet if my son actually ate more than 4 things.

So, let's move to arrogance. Arrogance is putting so much effort into figuring out why your child has autism that you have no energy to put toward the child. Arrogance is believing that everything has a human fix. Arrogance is blaming the world...vaccines...food...environment...parenting... rather than just DEALING with the realities of the situation. Suing people whom you think should be blamed. What solace is supposed to come from that? Will a law suit change the child's condition? How about the arrogance of saying you are right and, no matter what, others are wrong? The courts? Biased. Scientific evidence? Paid for by the vaccine and insurance companies. Seriously? How does that help our kids?

And again, I move back to the basics. Who cares? I still have kids with mountains to climb that other, "neurotypical," kids do not have. I still have kids growing up in a world that is slow to accommodate their differences. I still have a five year old starting Kindergarten with the speech of an emerging 4 year old. I still have sons with autism.