Autism surprises us again
 

His brother should have taken him to Vegas... in a Buick.

I'm not surprised.

I wish I had a couple of intellectual spike skills.

This was interesting to hear.


Patient Voices: Autism

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...=me&ref=health

Humorously enough, I indirectly know the woman listed as being in Austin. She and my mom are friends from way back, and I've heard a lot about her son through my mom.

It's a small world sometimes huh?

I also think that was my favorite.

I have mixed feelings about it... On the one hand, exposure is nice. On the other, it was overall a feel-good article that doesn't really convey the day-to-day difficulties, except for the one clip about the nonverbal 9-year-old that went into more detail about the "bad days." For example, in the clip about John, they don't mention the fact that his mom had to stop working because her son finally aged out of every program available, and they can't afford a private full-time program or caregiver. She is basically a prisoner in her own home from here until the day she dies, and she routinely has to end phone calls abruptly because John is "bashing his head against the wall again." He has the body of a linebacker and she has no hope of controlling him or even protecting him during tantrums. The feel-good stuff can just be so patronizing, like they're adorable little pets or something...

Or like the parents' involvement ends when they're 18.

Ugghh :( hugz - thats all I got for ya right now.