tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post593799118004292013..comments2024-02-04T16:46:03.204-08:00Comments on Radical Neurodivergence Speaking: What i faxed to House Committee Hearing on AutismNeurodivergent Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815685510033244185noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-80566233988015711612013-03-23T21:42:40.831-07:002013-03-23T21:42:40.831-07:00I find it ironic that you would pile-on. My Autis...I find it ironic that you would pile-on. My Autism is no less and no more than anyone else'. Same for my daughter, who was diagnosed "severely Autistic" at 2. She was never meant to speak with intent or toilet train, but to be institutionalized, per the medical professionals and Schools. The fact she has worked, in therapies, over 18,000 hours in less than 7 years, 1:1, in order to learn those things which some learn without any effort at all, and is succeeding, is belittled by individuals sharing her diagnosis?! Really? One would expect you to maybe be happy she is going to be one less person with autism, living in an institution, non-verbal, being abused by her caretakers...And, regarding my own diagnosis, somehow the pain I endured and the efforts I made to overcome my issues are less than yours, too? I think, as a group, the majority of you need to grow-up and realize the world is a big place, and just because you want to hoard your misery, cuddle it close to your heart, and tell yourself a story that only you and your friends know what "Autism" is, does not make it reality. Too many families work tirelessly, to help give their children a voice and the independent ability to have a choice in what happens to them, why would you deny these children the very same things you desire?!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14134164749717004239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-77544188037934747272012-12-05T16:23:01.209-08:002012-12-05T16:23:01.209-08:00...Lurker, I don't drive. You know that right?......Lurker, I don't drive. You know that right?<br /><br />And the entire comment was morally repugnant with the whole "be smarter! then you wont get shoved in the cracks!" and saccharine ending.<br /><br />And. Uh. Yeah you aren't really welcome here until you learn some reading comprehension. There's nothing written between the lines of what I say, stop pretending there is.Neurodivergent Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02815685510033244185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-35924080826565261092012-12-04T18:14:40.000-08:002012-12-04T18:14:40.000-08:00Many autistics really do have difficulties doing m...Many autistics really do have difficulties doing many things including driving, despite wanting to. The ones who can do those things haven't guaranteed those abilities to those who now have difficulty with them.<br />There is nothing that should be considered morally repugnant of "curing" communication impairments. Cure would consist of therapies. Celiac disease isn't necessarily the only condition for which a modified diet would be beneficial. It isn't prudent to automatically condemn any diet that may be helpful for someone, especially without being informed. We shouldn't presume that a few forms of support and training will suffice, while condemning the research into future therapies, by misleading others. What if autistic adults don't want to remain dependent on others? I think it's offensive to assume it's ok. One wouldn't want that assumed for themselves by others.lurkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14926254116447529725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-23250260848692016482012-12-03T10:59:14.673-08:002012-12-03T10:59:14.673-08:00Liz, I can't believe some of your statements. ...Liz, I can't believe some of your statements. One: my son has autism, not a disease. Shots are painful and haven't been proven to be helpful, at all. Two: my son has been to nutritionists and gastro doc, feeding team and everything else under the sun. Unless your child has celiac disease, going gluten free is unnecessary and possibly harmful. <br /><br />Don't even get me started on vaccines. Autism is a communication disorder NOT the plague. My son isn't broken and he doesn't need to be cured. What he needs is training, support, and understanding. He might possibly need all those things into adulthood. That's ok. There needs to be services for autistic adults, just like there are services for blind adults.<br /><br />I think this letter is fantastic. And I wish that you could receive the services you need, and that your parents were more supportive. Chickenpighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09442755180328605920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-88542009890473657682012-12-02T14:15:48.394-08:002012-12-02T14:15:48.394-08:00PPS: Oh, and your "But for the shots she rece...PPS: Oh, and your "But for the shots she received as an infant, she would be worried about her latest crush and desperate for two more years to pass so she can get her license." crap?<br /><br />Yeah. Cause Autistic people never have crushes. Never get married. Never drive. She can't possibly look forward to those things being Autistic 'cause Autistic, right? (end sarcasm. Tried to do it as HTML "joke" tag and it didn't post. Oops.)<br /><br />Your post is so patently offensive I can't believe you had the gall to post it here. I hope others eviscerate it as well.Liahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18194197754510246067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-51491065623903903992012-12-02T14:14:08.905-08:002012-12-02T14:14:08.905-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Liahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18194197754510246067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-52538263493670955082012-12-02T14:00:05.670-08:002012-12-02T14:00:05.670-08:00PS: if your "severe" daughter can handl...PS: if your "severe" daughter can handle self help skills, dressing, bathing, balance a checkbook, read and understand product labels, and more... what does that make us "high functioning" people (cause, ya know, we can type on blogs and Facebook) when we can't accomplish those things, yet we're diminished as "so high functioning" by parents determined to silence us?Liahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18194197754510246067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-29782379650404625382012-12-02T13:52:25.936-08:002012-12-02T13:52:25.936-08:00Wow. I think that post was almost a bingo, K! Yo...Wow. I think that post was almost a bingo, K! You have smart enough to overcome, a comment about 'those shots', a parent telling you how much worse her kid is than you even though half of what she describes is pretty much what you go through, and suggests a fun and practically food free diet. Awesome sauce on bingo!<br /><br />To Liz. Your post is insulting, ableist, and completely inappropriate on this blog.Liahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18194197754510246067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-77985928945905762812012-12-02T12:08:19.390-08:002012-12-02T12:08:19.390-08:00Did you really come on my blog, on my post about m...Did you really come on my blog, on my post about my story, to tell me that I just wasn't smart enough, that I could have overcome?<br /><br />Don't do that. <br /><br />Don't. Do. That.<br /><br />That is rude and disgusting and it will not stand here again. Neurodivergent Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02815685510033244185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-53645809601489878222012-12-01T17:17:56.000-08:002012-12-01T17:17:56.000-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14134164749717004239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-79103028819034230572012-12-01T17:17:46.239-08:002012-12-01T17:17:46.239-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14134164749717004239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-66644312459836960402012-12-01T17:17:24.207-08:002012-12-01T17:17:24.207-08:00Well written, and I can feel your story - it could...Well written, and I can feel your story - it could have been me if I had had different parents. But that is where I diverge - they taught me how to tolerate the intolerable, they required me to learn, grow, and develop, they held me accountable, and though I am far from "typical," their effort to force me to overcome my challenges made me an independent and capable person. I do not use my challenges as an excuse, I work to overcome or work-around them; it is not easy, but it CAN be done if you are intellectually facile. These hearings are an effort to STOP the harm from happening to begin with, not to eradicate those struggling as a result of the harm done; these are two different paths that both need to be addressed. I do not hate my daughter with severe Autism; when I adopted her as an infant, I promised I would meet her every need. She works mightily to overcome the hurdles her "Autism" puts in her path to be capable; she has learned what behaviors are OK when alone, but not in public, she has learned to speak in sentences and paragraphs, she has learned the academic skills just like her age-peers, she has learned how to brush her teeth and her hair (despite the sensory challenges), she has learned how to bathe herself and dress herself, she is learning how to be safe away from home, she is learning how to balance a checkbook and shop with a budget, she is learning to read labels and avoid foods that significantly worsen her many conditions (hippocampal sclerosis, frontal/temporal epilepsy, mitochondrial dysfunction, hypotonia, sensory challenges, GI dysfunction, immunity to her own myelin, and more). But for the shots she received as an infant, she would be worried about her latest crush and desperate for two more years to pass so she can get her license. We are trying to make it so many more kids have a chance at a "typical" life, not trying to get rid of the kids who are struggling so mightily! If you take some time to look around, you will find many, many people struggle with their lives; I believe everyone can overcome a lot with the right attitude, assistance, and willpower. I hope we succeed in getting budget properly allocated for ALL people struggling with these issues -- and that you find a compassionate provider to do what your parents failed, to help you help yourself. BTW, I found HUGE sensory help in going gluten-, casein-. soy- and corn-free (both for myself and for my daughter). I wish you success!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14134164749717004239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-64058907999030254862012-12-01T12:17:23.162-08:002012-12-01T12:17:23.162-08:00Got a tear in my eye.
I'm keeping a list as...Got a tear in my eye. <br /><br />I'm keeping a list as I often do, and have added your post.<br /><br /><a href="http://lizditz.typepad.com/i_speak_of_dreams/2012/11/historic-congressional-autism-hearings-november-29-2012-1.html" rel="nofollow">http://lizditz.typepad.com/i_speak_of_dreams/2012/11/historic-congressional-autism-hearings-november-29-2012-1.html</a><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-84492618233503173152012-12-01T10:43:21.899-08:002012-12-01T10:43:21.899-08:00Reading this was hard for me because a younger dia...Reading this was hard for me because a younger diagnosis could have landed me in your story. I hope it will be even harder for those who do the shoving, and I hope they actually read it.Alyssahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06413844178426365789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-43220520550370726932012-12-01T07:37:21.184-08:002012-12-01T07:37:21.184-08:00Thank you for writing this. I watched some of the ...Thank you for writing this. I watched some of the hearing, but had to keep turning it off. I just didn't have the stomach for the patronizing language, the focus on tragedy and "burdens" to families, and of course the vaccine stuff. <br /><br />Thank you for standing up to this crap and telling your story. Christahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12276156979882976760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-36262597513760306142012-12-01T05:03:12.812-08:002012-12-01T05:03:12.812-08:00Thank you. Bless you.Thank you. Bless you.professorlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09753671973178820364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-26494797900265730562012-12-01T05:02:59.091-08:002012-12-01T05:02:59.091-08:00Thank you. Bless you.Thank you. Bless you.professorlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09753671973178820364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-83932577900147984852012-12-01T03:39:12.293-08:002012-12-01T03:39:12.293-08:00You are telling it like it is. You are telling it like it is. Norahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04699001712204475986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-898029094300155652012-12-01T01:51:42.696-08:002012-12-01T01:51:42.696-08:00Not all us parents are bad, I hope. But I truly d...Not all us parents are bad, I hope. But I truly disagree with that stupid statement I often get that "God has a plan." My oldest is now 14. Something has to change as kids become teenagers and then adults. We are all so intent on enabling them by 21 and then dropping them off that cliff. Even the most affected. I hate this committee, because it seems like they are addressing autism as a disease to be cured. Which ignores what we to do with those for whom this is a way of life. It's like development stops as a young adult and voila you have nothing else to face. I am scared for my kids (who range from Aspie to severe autism with bipolar) and for folks like you who don't fit our criteria as neatly and for all those moderate autistics who can't navigate even half as well as you. We are failing them. And failing to tap their value.spectrummomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02893167023543993093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-84770705040436481262012-11-30T22:32:50.918-08:002012-11-30T22:32:50.918-08:00My girl is much like you were as a child. Thank yo...My girl is much like you were as a child. Thank you for your powerful words. Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02842905140124934027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-31427095990474616762012-11-30T22:32:43.179-08:002012-11-30T22:32:43.179-08:00My girl is much like you were as a child. Thank yo...My girl is much like you were as a child. Thank you for your powerful words. Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02842905140124934027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-13963034879217776062012-11-30T22:10:35.438-08:002012-11-30T22:10:35.438-08:00It came out just fine, and I truly appreciate it.It came out just fine, and I truly appreciate it.Wantapeanuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11993949583915924482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-48267687469045365512012-11-30T21:44:48.342-08:002012-11-30T21:44:48.342-08:00...I meant that much better than it came out. I ra......I meant that much better than it came out. I ran out of good words mid post.Neurodivergent Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02815685510033244185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-18356558018072015312012-11-30T21:33:29.838-08:002012-11-30T21:33:29.838-08:00I don't dislike you. We disagreed on a thing. ...I don't dislike you. We disagreed on a thing. I don't engage all that much with people who I don't think have ally-type potential.<br /><br />Thank you for commenting. Neurodivergent Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02815685510033244185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147438406266555027.post-87304499640177539572012-11-30T21:22:19.783-08:002012-11-30T21:22:19.783-08:00I know you are not a fan of mine, but I want you t...I know you are not a fan of mine, but I want you to know that I am listening.<br /><br />This line at the end, "...we don't fall into the cracks. We are shoved into the cracks. Those who deny our existence, like your colleagues, are doing nothing but shoving harder" is incredibly powerful.Wantapeanuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11993949583915924482noreply@blogger.com