Under the Autism
Autism takes lots of energy. Individuals with autism and their families and teachers and doctors and therapists spend a lot of time focusing on issues related to autism. Amidst all that, the human factor can be lost. Sometimes we need to forget the diagnosis and related issues, look under the autism, and spend time with our friend, a unique and precious individual.
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Anyone diagnosed with autism is, first and foremost, a person. If we are not careful, we can spend more time focusing on autism than on the human being. Rule #1 is to avoid viewing our friends with autism as a list of symptoms or a checklist of goals and objectives.
Days can be filled to the brim with therapy, skills training, dietary issues, sensory issues, medical issues, exercise, and education – all of which are intended to maximize the potential of an individual with autism.
It is certainly in a person’s best interest to help them make progress in targeted areas and to sharpen their skills. But we must also take time to develop a relationship with a person, not with their autism.
Granted, it is difficult to separate the two. Autism is an integral part of a person’s being, touching on communication, person interaction, social connections, behavior, thinking patterns, and focus. But we still need to make a concerted effort to dig under the lists and charts and rules and strategies to discover the human being underneath.
TIP FOR THE DAY: Take a few minutes every day to look under the autism. Take time together to laugh, to throw sticks for the dog, to stroll down the street, to enjoy the sunset, or to lend a helping hand to another person.
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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