Friday, May 01, 2009
My son looks normal.
Today is Blog against Disablism Day 2009.
Over the last few years, it's been a challenge.
Oh, sure - there's the thousands of hours of therapy, and the 6 year old that's not toilet trained, and has no concept of personal safety (why yes, we do have bars on our second story windows, why do you ask?), the special diet, and the communication issues and.... well, I could go on.
But today, I want to talk about your pity, and how you can keep it the hell to yourself.
My son is autistic. When we go to the playground, and he's climbing up the slide, yes, I will step in when you try and tell him not to - because you don't know how to talk to him. In case it's not clear, you chose to intervene with someone else's child, and you are the ignorant one here, not my son. He's having fun, and doing what kids do in playgrounds. It's not his fault you don't know PECS or sign. It's not his fault that you don't know to make eye contact before talking to him. So when I explain this to you, don't you dare pity me. I'm educating you.
When we are at the 7-11, and I'm holding my son's hand while he's grinning and bouncing, I'll forgive you whispering to each other and giggling: you're teenagers, and it is kinda funny. But when I squat down in front of him, and guide his hands through sign to ask for a slushie... that look you can bloody well keep to yourself.
When we go to the indoor play park, and my son spends the entire time sitting in the treehouse with his hands over his ears, don't you dare look at me like he's broken. Look at his face. Look at it. He's grinning like a maniac and staring at everything. He's having a blast.
James
Labels: living with autism
posted by James at 9:50 AM
3 Comments:
Good on you! Thanks so much for posting today!
Good for you: they can definitely keep the rest to themselves!
By sheer chance I wound up on your page via google. Glad I did, really liked this.
My brother is also severely Autistic. Couldn't help but note how similar your son sounds to him, especially the hands over ears bit.
Anyway, just wanted to send a nod your way.
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