Urgency for Normalcy
A friend diagnosed with autism commented that her family is concerned about the fact that she likes to hang around the “special education” kids in her high school. Her thoughts give some perspective to the urgency for normalcy that we can feel for individuals with autism.
Listen Now:
or
continue reading
My friend offers unique perspectives because she views the world through the lens of autism. She has given me permission to share her insights with the FAQautism.com crowd. She said she wanted to do what she could to “help NT’s know the signs of autism” and how autism impacts lives. So, I was stumped and had to ask her, “Who are NT’s?” That is a term my friend uses to describe all people who are not functioning on the spectrum of autism. NT = “neuro-typical.”
In many ways my friend is a typical teenager. She complains about her mom. She has started noticing boys. She spends lots of time on the computer. She fusses with her sister. At the same time, she is very observant of her own behavior and feelings as well as the behavior and feelings of other people.
Recently she sent a message about feeling like a blue cube. She wrote, “When I’m at school I usually like to hang around the special-ed kids. I know that my mom wants me to hang out with the NTs. She has expressed to me that she is worried that I might be made fun of for sitting with the kids at lunch. I told her that I feel more comfortable sitting with the special-ed kids.”
She went on to say that with all the high school kids, she was like blue cube among a bunch of green, red, and yellow cubes. She said, “But when I am with special-ed kids, it is like I’m a blue cube among different shades of blue.”
Incredible. Different shades of blue. Some are subtle and some are bold. Some shades of blue are like a lazy summer sky and others are like a raging stormy ocean. Some are peaceful and quiet and others jump out and grab you by the nose. But all blue cubes are beautiful. Let us celebrate those shades of blue and maybe moderate our urgency for normalcy.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
Automatically generated related posts:
- Urgency for Normalcy A friend diagnosed with autism commented that...