tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3203256752741667615.post3858984998220689698..comments2023-07-16T05:28:11.475-04:00Comments on The Autistic Me: Panel at Autism Society ConferencePoetCSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12833522103074528608noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3203256752741667615.post-14733658055279045602013-07-09T11:22:24.426-04:002013-07-09T11:22:24.426-04:00I wish people could believe I'm quite content ...I wish people could believe I'm quite content to be alone or with my wife and a friend or two. I don't need 600 "friends" to validate my pursuits or my existence. People dismiss introverts, anyway, but that's forcing a great many people to try to be something they are not -- extroverts. <br /> <br />Extroverts need people, so they are out and about, chatting. The introvert is busy solving problems and learning information that an extrovert might spread and promote. I view introverts as the "idea people" and extroverts as the connectors and promoters spreading the ideas. <br /><br />Why can't the autistic child be an introvert? Sit, read, play... all alone, thinking in the peace and quiet of solitude. Apparently, we only like the idea of a Thoreau sitting alone thinking. Anyone else sitting alone? There must be something wrong.PoetCSWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12833522103074528608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3203256752741667615.post-49577144323679164742013-07-09T10:35:29.534-04:002013-07-09T10:35:29.534-04:00I daily ponder on this and expectations...we don&#...I daily ponder on this and expectations...we don't want our children to be lonely, left out, etc. But what does the autistic child and adult want? What if these desires are simply different? Why do parents fear so much? Dealing with fear is also important and perhaps a deeper consideration about the notion of "inclusion" - whose is it anyway? The best question to ask is what do you want? Even my limited verbal son will tell me what he needs and wants beyond just words. You can "talk" without using words, but parents have a hard time listening. We all have to understand that too - parents who are not autistic feel they have to raise their children and provide same opportunities. We have to remind parents of these points and that it's okay to step back a bit, take time, think, consider, listen, watch. The question I ask myself always, and it's never an easy answer, is what makes Adam content? When is he excited about learning? When is he enjoying himself? What does he like doing? Estee Klarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12046973571242623593noreply@blogger.com