Autism has a strong genetic basis,
although the
genetics of autism are complex and it is
unclear whether ASD is explained more by
multigene interactions or by rare
mutations.[4]
In rare cases, autism is strongly associated
with
agents that cause birth defects.[5]
Controversies surround other proposed
environmental
causes, such as
heavy metals,
pesticides or childhood
vaccines;[6]
the vaccine hypotheses are biologically
implausible and lack convincing scientific
evidence.[7]
The
prevalence of ASD is about 6 per 1,000
people, with about four times as many males as
females. The number of people known to have
autism has increased dramatically since the
1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic
practice; the question of whether actual
prevalence has increased is unresolved.[8]
Parents usually notice signs in the first
two years of their child's life. Although early
behavioral or cognitive intervention can help
children gain self-care, social, and
communication skills, there is no known cure.[9]
Not many children with autism live independently
after reaching adulthood, though some become
successful.[10]An
autistic culture has developed, with some
individuals seeking a cure and others believing
autism should be tolerated as a difference and
not treated as a disorder.[11]
I have shaded in the last sentence, because I
believe it to be a key factor for understanding how to meet this and
other "disorders" that show up in
society. In short, we must learn to moderate our societal
compulsion towards "order"......and our attitude that everything
that doesn't follow a "normal" flow must be "fixed." Sometimes that
which we think needs "fixing" is here to fix US!
As a parent of a Developmentally-Special son myself,
I am sympathetic to the needs of families as they seek to maintain
sensible patterns of living which meet the needs of ALL family
members, not just those who scream for attention. Autistic
Children in a nuclear family tend to dominate every
scenario---forcing family members to lay aside their own needs and
desires so that they can keep their children safe AND keep them from
destroying the family home as they go about the process of living
their lives.
Kahlil Gibran once said, in regards to the parenting
of children:
"Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing
for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to
you.
You may give them your love but not your
thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with
yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the
infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for
gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable."
It takes a village to raise a child---especially an Autistic
Child. It also takes a village to nurture and sustain a
vibrant, happy adult. Our tendency to close inward, and focus
our lives into "nuclear
families".....pretending to be separate from everything around
us, is the single most destructive pattern found in Western Society.
When migrating Europeans crushed and dominated the Native American
cultures they encountered when they arrived on North American
shores, they missed out on a major key for survival in this Land of
Plenty. TRIBAL CONSCIOUSNESS.
In my series "The Imagine
Nation," I lay out a proposed template for what society
would look like if it was designed by Star Kids. The same type of
thinking can be applied to ALL members of society who initially
present themselves to be outside the "norm." We all need space
to breathe and flourish. And we all need some means of SUPPORT
to do this, while in our early stages of development.
The Reconnections speak about Autistic Children, and other types
of Developmentally-Special Citizens as "Transitionals."
Bridge People. In
consciousness........they have one part of themselves planted firmly
in 3D reality, while many other parts of them are busy exploring
alternative states of being. They live on the edge of "here
and there." It's not hard to see this when you look in their
eyes. They didn't come here to be "normal." They came
here to demonstrate new traits and new abilities---especially those
who are referred to as SAVANTS.
In my opinion, Western Society is letting some of our
finest natural resources go
to waste. I'm speaking here about the minds and hearts of our
Next Generation. By making children the legal "property" of
their parents, we bind both child and parent to established "roles"
and rigid expectations---some of which are attainable (by those who
are pre-conditioned to follow rules), and some which literally BREAK
the minds and hearts of everyone involved. While a few
"financially endowed" families spoil their kids with privilege and
possessions, a huge portion of society struggles just to keep body
and soul together. In some cases, we are letting some of our
GENIUSES of tomorrow slip right through our fingers into social
oblivion.
By allowing our arrows to "fly free" (as Gibran encourages) while
we remain points of STABILIZATION for them in 3D reality, these New
Kids will serve as "Test
Pilots" for a whole array of expanded abilities and "thinking
outside the box" adaptations to common problems. And this
needs to be a SOCIETAL commitment, not merely a load of
responsibility that is heaped on two people's shoulders, just
because they are birth parents.
In my series "Educating the
Educators," I speak about creating a genuine "learning
environment," where kids can discover and follow their own inner
passion and intuition---while forming genuine and helpful
connections to educational tools and resources. They'll do this
because THEY believe in the power of those resources, NOT because we
force them to learn.
In supporting Autistic Kids, as with
ADD and ADHD individuals---we must create a "normal living
space" which matches THEIR characteristics, rather than forcing them
to match mainstream behavioral standards. They must have a
place to "be themselves," coupled with plenty of opportunities to
"mainstream" with all types of people. This is a delicate balance to
achieve and maintain---because EVERY facet of society deserves this
kind of life. A place to be yourself, and a place to interact
with those who are "different".......when you are ready, and in the
manner YOU choose.
Obviously, I'm being both idealistic and optimistic here.
As was said in the beginning of the "Imagine Nation" series:
"As you read along, try to refrain from worrying about HOW we'll
attain these goals. Simply ask yourself: "Is this what I
want?"
Not every Autistic Kid will be able to verbalize his or her
feelings about what I'm saying here. But if we try out some of
these ideas---perhaps as paraprofessional community-support
projects---we just might notice an extra sparkle in those tell-tale
eyes. There is much more to share about this subject. I've
only scratched the surface here. More will come in due time.
Do you have any insights of our your own?
Write me. I'd
love to add them to the site.
Unless otherwise noted, all writings are Copyright, 2009, by Daniel Jacob.
All Rights Reserved. Writings may be
copied and shared, for purposes of personal growth and/or research, so long as
the above URL and this copyright are included. All
reproduction for profit, by any means, requires the written permission of Reconnections,
Inc.
