tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post463302137706272096..comments2024-03-19T18:36:41.875-04:00Comments on Yes, That Too: On Easter SealsAlyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06413844178426365789noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post-57616159738117436952013-06-16T10:43:26.945-04:002013-06-16T10:43:26.945-04:00There's one more element of the letter that...There's one more element of the letter that's pretty radical, and that seems mostly to have escaped notice next to the outright apology for the epidemic language. Near the end of the letter, when, without fanfare, they talk about older autistic adults trying to stay in their homes. The acknowledgement that there ARE elderly autistic people, not in institutions, who have lived and worked and possibly even have their own homes, but will need help as they age, is so, so rare, and so important to inculcating the knowledge that autism is a condition of the entire lifespan, not just of children. And that autistic people DO become adults, and aren't just permanent children or perpetually helpless. And that there is no cure, but there is hope for a decent life, and there ARE people who have gone before and could tell us a lot about how they've managed.<br /><br />One of the constant refrains of articles on autism that makes me nuts is the "But what will happen to these kids as they become adults?! We just don't know!" as if the current 18-21 year-olds are the first ever generation of autistic people to become adults (rather than just the first generation to grow up diagnosed and acknowledged as autistic). When there ARE middle-aged and elderly autistic people, and you could ASK THEM what their lives have been like.<br /><br />So good job, Easter Seals. I know you're not a perfect organization, but you have some very important ideas on the table. Thanks again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com