role models

People with dyslexia are frequently presented with role models especially from sport and the arts, people who have succeeded in spite of their having dyslexia. It helps morale, and confidence.

I am puzzled about the nature of autistic spectrum role models. Ioan James's book brought us possible role models in history - Michelangelo, Jonathan Swift, Bertrand Russell, Albert Einstein......

In terms of nowadays there are a few leading lights witrh autism, most people seem to go for Temple Grandin as prime example.

What is lacking is a bigger list. Of course the complexity of the atistic spectrum makes comprability of experience difficult, and famous people may be more "closet" about their autism.

But I do get the feeling, generally, that if you've achieved with autism it spells out that your autism was mild or manageable, or somehow not real autism. That undermines the sense of achievement for the successful individuals.

But far worse, it seems to say - unless your mild you've got no chance mate -

Now there might be scientific evidence around that shows little prospect of a successful life with most forms of autism - the number who don't get long term employment being a clear enough indicator.

But how far is that simply a product of lack of understanding and lack of addressing the issues of adults with autism?

What can be done to create role models and give people on the spectrum hope and confidence and purpose?

Is there something that can actively be done to create positive images?

Parents

Hope over 14 years ago

As a person whose asperger's syndrome and associated problems are very debilitating (even though I come across as 'mild' to a lay person due to my sophisticated imitation of other peoples' behaviour), I find it hard to compare my experience to those successful celebrities who we are told have asperger's, and to people with AS who are successfully employed and in relationships. While I acknowledge that it is possible to have asperger's and to succeed in the world, I believe that by over-emphasising success in these spheres, we could unwittingly render invisible the lives of people with AS who are struggling simply to deal with their co-morbid mental health problems. Success for me simply means being able to get out of the house, do shopping, and to be relatively anxiety free. Positive role models are those people with AS who I can relate to, who don't live a perfect existance and who struggle every day like I do. By reading their inspiring stories of hope, stories that are full of small successes, I can feel less like a failure.

Reply

Hope over 14 years ago

As a person whose asperger's syndrome and associated problems are very debilitating (even though I come across as 'mild' to a lay person due to my sophisticated imitation of other peoples' behaviour), I find it hard to compare my experience to those successful celebrities who we are told have asperger's, and to people with AS who are successfully employed and in relationships. While I acknowledge that it is possible to have asperger's and to succeed in the world, I believe that by over-emphasising success in these spheres, we could unwittingly render invisible the lives of people with AS who are struggling simply to deal with their co-morbid mental health problems. Success for me simply means being able to get out of the house, do shopping, and to be relatively anxiety free. Positive role models are those people with AS who I can relate to, who don't live a perfect existance and who struggle every day like I do. By reading their inspiring stories of hope, stories that are full of small successes, I can feel less like a failure.

Children

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