They did a feature during the NBA game last night about Jason McElwain, the autistic kid who is usually a team manager, but got put in the game and scored 20 points in 3 minutes. I was as touched as anyone when I first heard that story. And I still get chills and tears in my eyes when I read about it. But yet there's also a little part of me who is becoming irritated by all the attention the media is giving this story.
I am trying to put my finger on why this bugs me. I think it's because, while this is bringing great public attention to the face of autism, what autism is and what it isn't, I'm starting to get the urge to shout "Jason is an awesome kid! So is my kid! So is every other child with autism! They achieve great things every day! More important things than scoring baskets!" The message should not be that Jason is some fluke autistic kid who achieved something, and so is to be celebrated. The message should be that all our kids have abilities to do all kinds of different things, if given the chance. And I'm worried that this message is getting missed.
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"The message should not be that Jason is some fluke autistic kid who achieved something, and so is to be celebrated. The message should be that all our kids have abilities to do all kinds of different things, if given the chance."
The EXACT reason that I've been so irritated with the story from the beginning. But, I'm trying to remember that *any* education of the public regarding autism is a good thing. Before Time Magazine, Jason McElwain, etc. everyone thought that autism = Rain Man. We're moving in the right direction, I guess.
I finally began to see that side recently too. Especially at our IEP when they kept using the phrase "Autistic tendencies." You do not "tend" to be Autistic, you are or you are not. I look at it as more of a personality trait of Gabe's. It's only a piece of him, because it does not define all of who he is. The word Autistic seems to have become an all or nothing label. If you are Autistic, then that is all of what you are. My eyes are now wide open to that stereotype.
Kristin
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