Autism from the Inside: A Message to the World

One of the most challenging aspects of having autism is how society in gener­al, and some people in particular, view and treat those on the spectrum. This hurdle comes from a variety of different plac­es. It comes from people who are uneducated about or who have negative perceptions of autism; it also sometimes comes from those who ostensibly want to help.

Autism on the Rise

There has been a dras­tic increase in the rate of diagnosis of autism over the past three decades. When Joseph was diagnosed in 1995, the rate was 1 diagnosis for every 150 children. Figures from the CDC now show a rate of 1 in 31. While the reasons for this increase are multiple (including increased awareness and methods of diagnosis), as the public has become increasingly conscious of autism, medical and psychological knowledge have expanded, leading to a better understanding of the needs of individuals with this condition. This has also led to more acceptance and a decrease in stigma, resulting in overall assistance for individuals on the spectrum and those caring for them.

Going forward, it will become ever more important to look at wider policy issues that affect everyone, as well as those on the spectrum, disproportionately. One such issue that needs attention is public access to healthcare, including universal healthcare. The financial burdens of people on the spectrum and their loved ones are huge. These costs can be compounded if someone has any other disorder or illness (which is incredibly common among those with ASD).

The Neurodiversity Movement

In the history of autism, there have been numerous instances of reaching con­clusions or supporting treatments that not only don’t help any­one, but may even exacerbate certain traits negatively and lead to wider prejudice and dehumanization. The neurodiversity movement focuses on promoting the voices and rights of people who have historically lacked a voice. They deserve credit for calling out methods of treatment that they believe only address changing

superficial behaviors. They advocate against methods that deny the autistic person any other desires or needs they might have.

Mother Guiding

The most important part of addressing autism is to have a strong support network composed of family, friends, medical professionals, acquaintances, and virtually ev­eryone that can have a positive influence. You don’t need to get a huge number of people, just a dedicated bedrock of folks connected through mutual interests and feelings of love. Clearly, it takes a village to raise any child, special needs or not.

Parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles are invaluable building blocks. Extended and immediate family must learn about autism, how it manifests in their loved one, and what positive steps they can take to address it. They also need to know how to access necessary resources, local or not, and be able to advocate for their loved one, as well as for others who are similarly affect­ed.

Resource Sourcing

People on the spectrum need to be included, seen, listened to, and em­powered in the planning of their education. If school districts need resources, they should have them. We should fund and en­courage students to join extracurricular activities or after-school programs.

All teachers, educational professionals, and therapists should also have budgets for materials and resources, as well as much higher pay and benefits. We should make strong efforts to mitigate possible reasons a person on the spectrum might not be receiving their due education. That could include addressing comorbid conditions, socio-economic circumstances, or other impediments to their learning.

One idea is to make advanced communication technologies for those who are nonverbal readily available on computers, tablets, and smartphones. The latest technology can help many people overcome limitations in com­municating with the world.

Making the World a Better Place

We can change things for the better by making care, attention, and resources more readily accessible. If we acknowledge the material, social, and inherent nega­tive realities of autism, the better we’ll be able to address these problems, and, just as importantly, celebrate those things that make people with autism special and enrich all of our lives.

Above all, society is about all of us! Observe what works and what needs to be changed. Improving some­one’s life improves everyone’s lives. It will be worth it in the end, as it always has been.

Written By Brigitte and Joseph Shipman

Brigitte M. Volltrauer Shipman is an author, life coach, speaker, and teacher. She specializes in coaching mothers with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Her current book is A Mother’s Guide Through Autism, Through The Eyes of The Guided. She is also the author of Is It a God Thing? Joseph D. Shipman, despite grim predictions by some following his autism diagnosis, gained recognition working for numerous radio stations, and currently gives time to various political and social causes, including autism advocacy. He enjoys playing video games, spending time with friends and family, and studying and talking about various topics consisting of, but not limited to, art, history, and philosophy. A Mother’s Guide Through Autism, Part II: Through the Eyes of the Guided is Joseph’s debut as an author. Learn more at mothersguidethroughautism.com.