In Case I Wasn't Clear Before...

I realize that autism therapy can be a very polarizing issue.  There are the die-hard behaviourists who live and breath ABA, those that promote neurodiversity and take offense to therapies designed to "train the autism out of someone", and the rest of us that fall somewhere in the middle.  I've made it clear that I do not want my daughter subjected to endless, repetitive trials that aim to train her in "appropriate behaviours" determined by so-called NT's.  I want to speak to someone who understands autism as a neurological  challenge, rather than a behavioural one. I want her to be motivated to connect with us through a combination of effective therapies.  This wish list keeps leading back to the Son-Rise Program.  A program that teaches us that stimming has meaning and value.  A program that does not reduce a child to a set of behaviours.  For us, I think it is the right fit.  Others may feel differently, and that is fine with me.  I am only asking that, as Kate's parents, we have a say in which therapy Kate receives.  If I had to guess why there are not more people publicly stating there wish for more options for treatments for their children, I would say that in some cases, receiving the diagnosis can be overwhelming enough.  Try to wrap your brain around hearing that your child has an intellectual disability and no one really knows why or how it happened.  It's devastating and the people that offer the therapies in this city are lovely for the most part and sometimes it is easier to let them take control because they have experience and they can help.  Sometimes it is easier to do what we've always done.  But, this can be dangerously passive.  Fuck the status-quo.  Is that too harsh? Harsh is watching effective therapies and ideas passing us by.  It is so easy to accept what we've always done.  I know with numbers like, 1 in 88, that every single one of you out there loves someone, or knows someone who loves someone with autism.  Please ask questions and please challenge the authority.  That is just good advice in general I think.

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