Fixing Brokenness
Two conversations last week – one with the parents of a newly diagnosed daughter and one with the parent of an adult son with autism – brought up questions about the nature of autism. Does autism require “fixing?” Is a person with autism “broken?” Just as autism itself is complex, so are the answers to these questions.
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The parents of the adult son with autism called to express their resentment at a television news story that focused on debilitating challenges related to autism. The parents of the newly diagnosed daughter were very irate at health care professionals who did not seem to be concerned about some significant behavior issues, communication deficits, and sensory challenges. A doctor and a therapist had both dismissed the problems encountered at home and assured the parents their three-year-old would grow out of this stage.
These parents were on opposite ends of the fence with their indignation – one because the news story portrayed autism as a debilitating condition in need of fixing, and the other because people were not recognizing the gravity of challenges related to autism.
Some people with autism can lead relatively typical lives – making it through school years, getting along with other people, living with some level of independence as adults, and enjoying life in general. Although the need may arise occasionally for making adjustments to accommodate some unusual behaviors, obsessive interests, social quirks, or sensory issues, these individuals and their families probably do not view themselves as broken or in need of fixing.
Other people with autism encounter roadblocks in life that –for the sake of all involved – must be addressed. After having spent 35 years with many dozens of children, teens, and adults diagnosed with autism, it is my humble opinion that everyone benefits when we recognize challenges and help individuals learn to deal with those issues. That is not to say that we need to fix brokenness nor that we must make each person perfect, but rather that we do what we can help maximize potential and enhance the quality of life of every person.
TIP FOR THE DAY. Every person alive has some areas that need improvement. The challenges some of our friends with autism face may be more intense or more debilitating. No matter the severity of the issues, we can lend a helping hand by helping people recognize and deal with various challenging situations.
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 a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. 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
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