Published on 12, July, 2020
All her life my daughter has fought the stigma that being Autistic was defined as, first a "learning disabilty" and now a "disability". It has destroyed her life, made her feel inferior and sapped her self confidence. Then to see the BBC describe autism as a "lifelong disability" made me furious. Then to find that the source of this bigotry is the definition on the NAS website makes me incandescent with rage. I too am Autistic. The NAS does not represent me or my daughter. The challenges which Autistic poeple face are not what we are but how we are misunderstood. For the NAS to insist on perpetuating these myths makes you part of the problem. I can only presume your definition of Autism was written and approved by a bunch of, perhaps well-meaning, poeple who suffer from Autism Deficiency Syndrome and who lack the flexibility of thought that Autism gives us and we, in turn, have given the world the technology which I am using to write this.
Thank you!
Absolutely!
Me too I know it can be lonely place but we'll always have this group here for support and friendship
I don’t like the term special needs, I think it is infantilising and inaccurate. We have human needs like every one else and every human has different needs.
You are very welcome!
I know that in certain discussions it can be hard to disagree with other people’s opinions but everyone’s experience of being autistic is different.
Hear, hear..
That's terrible I'm so sorry people have treated you like that.
People spend too much time judging rather than understanding us.
And thank you your so kind :)
Can't believe I've been using alarms on my phone when I already had one installed in my bladder
I have a special need to live in a world that makes sense, where I am loved and I make a useful or positive contribution.
I've had it before where people call me rude because I can't talk properly and look at my feet
It's sad that people make all kinds of incorrect assumptions. I've had people accuse me of not making an effort and even been accused of sulking
I'm just really stupid
That's definitely not true!
When my pee turns dark and burny, then I know it's definitely time for a drink...
i have a similar issue with the BBC implying that all people with autism have special needs. Some people with autism may have special needs but there are also people with autism who do not have special needs.
Fibonacci Squid said:For me one of the things my autism causes is an extreme lack of introception. I do not recognise my hunger, thirst, temperature differences, needing the toilet, etc until it is causing extreme physical symptoms, and this has led to many health problems. This is disabling regardless of the social model in which I exist, and whether I am around people or not.
Yes, me too. I do feel that the social model of disability applies to some of my other autistic traits, but I'd struggle to avoid (usually fairly mild, to be fair) dehydration in any situation because I just don't realise I'm thirsty.
To be honest, I don't think it'll ever be as simple as 'autism is a disability under the medical model', or 'autism is a disability under the social model', or 'autism is not a disability'. That answer changes from one person to another, and even in the same person the answer might be different for some of their autistic traits compared with others.
I find it hard with voice communication I really struggle with talking to people.
It's sad there's not a lot of understanding and support I've had it before where people call me rude because I can't talk properly and look at my feet.
You explain yourself really well ^^ as always!
I'm just really stupid but I bet everyone else understands your points.
Keep being awesome :–)
Thank you.
VLD said:All her life my daughter has fought the stigma that being Autistic was defined as, first a "learning disabilty" and now a "disability".
As autonomistic has pointed out, the definition of a disability clearly matches that of autism.
VLD said:It has destroyed her life, made her feel inferior and sapped her self confidence.
I think you will find it is autism that is responsible for this, not the label of disability that it carries. If I'm wrong then please explain what the cause and effects are here to enlighten us.
VLD said:Then to find that the source of this bigotry is the definition on the NAS website makes me incandescent with rage.
The definitions are not the source of any bigotry - people are the source. If you have people discriminating against someone with a disability then that makes them criminals - that is where your rage is best focussed agaist in my opinion
I don't believe this site claims to represent you - it is a collection of support and advice for people whether they are autistic or have connections with those who are.
If you took time to post here about the challenges you face then you may find we are a great support system with a lot of good information to help you come to your own conclusion about what to do.
I think the point I was aiming to make (but did not do so) is an example of a situation where my ability to speak may fail me but I can still communicate to some extent in other ways. Having unreliable speech in a society that uses that as a main form of communication certainly feels like a disability.
In such a situation I do not only need understanding from other people, an employer for instance. Sure they may understand and not expect me to speak in a meeting. However that still means I am effectively excluded and no longer have equitable access to be able to contribute.
Understanding on it's own is insufficient. I would also need a reasonable adjustment, by way of an alternative means of communication to enable me to participate fully.
Please take care of yourself and rest when needed :)
I hope your be feeling lots better soon.
I agree..