Who knows someone with Autism?

Question

I dont personally know anybody with Autism but I really wish to spread information about it because I feel the more knowledge people have about it then the less bullying there will be and then the more everyone can work together...

Answer 1

One thing that causes a lot of confusion about autism is that it is a very VERY broad spectrum. My brother had two kids with autism. both very low-functioning. My neice is almost 11 and speaks on the level of an 18month old. While she was potty trained at age 8, she still has accidents. Some people with autism never get out of diapers & never speak or understand people.

But on the other end of the spectrum, Albert Einstein is suspected of being autistic. So is Bill Gates. (So are many others, but these two are the most likely of the famous names I know of.)

Kristen, how true about their (Low-functioning autistics) fascination with water & poor understanding of danger. My nephew would scream in sheer terror if you tried to clip his toenails, but would chew on electrical cords. He drowned 2 years ago. I would have been 6 years old this February.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoH1GT_kW87ld6o7CbOOn1Pty6IX?qid=20060909173847AAkcuiB

Answer 2

I know someone... me! Oh, and my parents and stepfather and one of my closest real-life friends, plus some other people around school, and almost all of my online friends.

I don't know what kind of information you're trying to spread about autism. Stopping bullying is great, but it's best to do that by spreading the information that we're just as valid and whole as non-autistics and aren't broken in any way. Usually the way I've seen it done is with people saying that we're already suffering with a "tragic" disability, so we don't need any more pain. Yeah, there's something tragic going on in the autism community, but that's other people's reactions to autism, especially their discussion of *hope* for a future without us.

Trying to discourage bullying and encourage acceptance is wonderful, if the ultimate result will be having accepting people we can spend time with who don't discuss their eugenic aims. If it involves increased discussion of an autistic-free future, well, then it's obviously not acceptance.

Answer 3

I have autism, a form of it called Asperger's Syndrome. I don't think it's terrible at all. Yes, I have my difficulties, but I wouldn't take a cure even if I was offered a million dollars. My AS lets me understand other people with mental conditions better, gives me a unique perspective on the world, and teaches others that being "different" isn't such a bad thing. It is very good that you are trying to spread awareness of Autism. I agree a lot of Autistics get bullies. An interesting site you may want to check out is www.aspiesforfreedom.com

Answer 4

I have a 5 year old nephew with autism. Here are just a few things I’ve learned:
1. Early detection is essential. I think the average is now 1 in 150 births is an autistic child. The sooner autism is diagnosed the more effective the help is.
2. One of the easiest early home tests is to call the child’s name out loud, loud enough that a “normal” child would give a response. If there is no response at all seek professional help. At first I thought my nephew was either deaf or hard of hearing. This can be effective in children as young as 1 year old.
3. The one thing an autistic child has a violent reaction to is the word “No”. This negative reaction to an autistic child’s actions is his way of communicating.
4. You can’t reason with an autistic child. They’re attention span is much too short to communicate properly with them.
5. Autistic children communicate better with hand signals and learn and understand “signing” far easier than spoken words.
6. When in doubt, seek professional help immediately. It is better to be over cautious than to let it go too long. You are entitled to State help, care and education of an autistic child. Don’t wait for the State to offer help, seek an advocate.

Answer 5

I have Asperger's syndrome. The good things about autism should be spread around. Some of the good things that some people with Asperger's have are honesty, loyalty, punctuality, and a need for things to be fair. Also I would say 99.9999999% of people with autisim have a specail interest

Answer 6

My daughter has autism, she is 8. Autism is a terrible disorder that robs children and their families of a normal life. Sadly, I dont know very much about her, I dont know what her favorite color is, favorite animal, favorite movie, etc. I know that she loves me, but it would be nice if she could express that to me.

It is so incredibly hard to wake up everyday and deal with autisms effect on your child. Parents rarely get a break, they are constantly criticized by ignorant observers, their hole life revolves around their autistic child-going to therapy 2-3 times per week, endless dr appts, school meetings, etc.

If you think shopping with "normal" kids is hard, try it with an autistic child! Many autistic children do not sleep more than 2-4 hours per night. Parents have the terrible decision to make whether they medicate their child at night, just so they (parent) can get some sleep. Also, many families have more than one child with autism, some families have other children with learning disabilties.

If your interested in learning more about autism research it on the web. If you are interested in helping people with developmental disabilities like autism try volunteering at a center for people with developmental disabilites, or in an ESE classroom in a school. Special education teachers are badly needed, consider teaching it as a career.

I appreciate your interest in autism, I hope I dont sound too negative. I love my daughter more than anything in this world. I wish I could have just one normal day, no kicking and screaming, or running off. I would even settle for a dream where I could talk to her and ask her questions about herself.

Autism is hard, its probably one of the hardest disorders to cope with as a parent. I applaud your interest and continue to spread the word about autism. The more people know about it the better, it can only help.

Hope I didnt rant and rave too much...I guess Im just frustrated.

Answer 7

I work in the Mental Health field. I know and have taken care of many people with Autism. It can be very frustrating and demanding. But is also rewarding.

Answer 8

it relatively is a extreme neurobologial affliction.. they fall on a sppectrum (ASD) and aspergers is on the gentle edge of the spectrum. lots of those with autism have trouble touching directly to and communticating with others. in addition they ought to keep on with presice schedules, and ought to have issues accomplished in a definite way. there is not any treatment or thoroughly result treatment. in accordance to the assumption all autistic toddlers are elligable to unfastened and appropiate coaching, they're additionally gaurenteed the suited to be in an ecosystem without disabled toddlers. thats approximately all i comprehend adn can remember.

Answer 9

two words. Autism sux.I suffer a real high fuctioning version of it and still don't like it.I wish i could make friends.go to parties,have a pretty girlfriend and enjoy life to the fullest.

Answer 10

My younger brother is autistic. He seems to live in his own world. He requires more love, care, attention and patience from our family members. Strangers stare at us when we go out of the house with him along but we learned to live with this situation and think more of my brother's well-being.