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
  • I was only diagnosed two weeks ago (I'm 53) so I'm still far from sure what autism means in general, never mind how it affects me personally. So I'm afraid that I don't really have anything constructive to offer the conversation as yet…but…longman, your original questions seemed to me to go straight to the heart of the issue. Where are all the role models? A high profile, older autistic achiever would surely help inspire those younger with a more positive ideal of what they themselves could accomplish. And it would certainly be a reassurance to us older people that autism can be accommodated within a busy professional life. The vast majority of autism information I accessed in my research was specifically geared to childhood. It was only when I read a Guardian article about diagnosis in middle age that everything clicked into place. I don't know how things work here - can we petition the NAS to feature autistic achievers? Or how about a mentoring program?

Reply
  • I was only diagnosed two weeks ago (I'm 53) so I'm still far from sure what autism means in general, never mind how it affects me personally. So I'm afraid that I don't really have anything constructive to offer the conversation as yet…but…longman, your original questions seemed to me to go straight to the heart of the issue. Where are all the role models? A high profile, older autistic achiever would surely help inspire those younger with a more positive ideal of what they themselves could accomplish. And it would certainly be a reassurance to us older people that autism can be accommodated within a busy professional life. The vast majority of autism information I accessed in my research was specifically geared to childhood. It was only when I read a Guardian article about diagnosis in middle age that everything clicked into place. I don't know how things work here - can we petition the NAS to feature autistic achievers? Or how about a mentoring program?

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