Put down that iPad, pick up that PECS box?

Everyday my Facebook feed is littered with the latest miracle stories of how an iPad (or similar device) has helped an autistic child to communicate. Some of those stories are shared from the web, but most of them are from … Continue reading →

How to negate positive outcomes of the DSM-5 autism changes.

I was not entirely opposed to the DSM-5 changes to the criteria for an autism diagnosis; I saw many benefits, which I outlined in a previous post. Now that the DSM-5 is finalized and available (to those who can afford … Continue reading →

Paths into and out of autism; understanding the love and hate.

I want to propose a different way of thinking about disability – and autism in particular – than what I have encountered so far. I want to challenge the idea that it is helpful to think of all autism in … Continue reading →

Anatomy of a Neurotypical Mother

My son is autistic, I am not, but neither am I neurotypical. I’m not a fan of the term “neurotypical,” I don’t find it meaningful or helpful. I’ve analysed and attacked its use before, so I won’t retread that path. … Continue reading →

Autism is not “difference;” why this matters from a parent’s perspective

Ever since I became aware of autism politics, I have been bombarded with the slogan that autism is not disability, it is difference; that disability is (primarily) a social construct, and that autism wouldn’t be considered or treated like a … Continue reading →

Book Review: “Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships,” by Grandin and Barron.

“Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships; Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism,” is written By Temple Grandin and Sean Barron, with input and editing by Veronica Zysk. This is a remarkable book. It is quite unlike any other … Continue reading →

Why his autism made me a better person, and why I should never say that it has.

Raising a child with autism has made me a better person. How many times have you seen a statement like that, and what is your reaction when you do? I’ve never felt comfortable with the statement, I’m not even a … Continue reading →

Death-Cure.

My son said something about autism, that shocked and frightened me. After it was said and the incident was dealt with, I tried to decide if it was the sort of thing I could or should share on my blog, … Continue reading →

The Privilege Game

Non-autistic parents of autistic children, are apparently privileged. What does that mean, and why does it matter? And does it really justify silencing and attacking us, as seems to have become a popular pass-time for a few autism bloggers? “Privilege” … Continue reading →

The Tattle-Tale Autistic

Why do we tell children not to be tattle-tales; not to tell an authority figure when someone else has done something wrong? In theory it is because we want them to work on the issue themselves and find their own … Continue reading →