Monday, January 19, 2009

Autism Style and What is Normal


Yo! Mick here, the cutie with the canine grin with yellow coat and a hat.

One of the things I’ve had to adjust to about autism is that what I experience as “normal” might not be for the majority of others.


For example, I had no idea that most dogs are not put into hats and other clothing. Red’s been dressing me up since I can remember. I mean look around; as you shop you’ll notice that there are more and more stores catering to well-dressed canines.

Interesting isn’t it?

I wonder if this has anything to do with the increase in autism diagnosis over the past decade or so? Is everyone who dresses his or her dog on the autism spectrum?

Doubtful.

Here’s the thing, Red’s not different to me.

He’s not broken; he’s my best friend and brother. Red is perfect to me. He loves me and that is our “normal” and good enough for me.

My perspective sometimes makes it difficult to understand what all the fuss over autism is about.

If we could all practice better tolerance of diversity and taking the perspective of others I don’t know if we’d really need to term autism.

Sure, Mum’s explained that many with autism are not like Red, or have the same abilities.

I just don’t get what all the fuss is about. Autism is just another way to experience the world, and everyone experiences the world in his or her own perspective even when trying to take another’s perspective.


Got it?

Try this; dress your dog, and go for a walk.

Go on. Put your favorite canine in clothes. Make sure to include a hat. Sometimes a hat is a nuisance but I think hats really make the outfit. Some people even like to have a matching outfit. I’m waggy with that.

Now get out there and walk.

You wont have a problem unless someone gets in your face declaring that dressing dogs isn’t normal. Yet clearly for a great many, dressing up their pup is very normal; canine couture is rabid.

See what I mean?

Normal is a matter of perspective.

Autism is normal for me, but I’m trying to understand how it might not be for others. Really, I do try to understand autism from a normal perspective.

I think what confuses me the most is this:

Who decides what normal is?

Friday, January 16, 2009

Understanding Autism Time and College Time


Yo Mick here.
Grwomth.

I have a mouthful.

I’ve developed an overly fond attachment to this purple whatever I received for Christmas, the first one. We had 2 Christmas’ at our home. I like that Christmas seemed to go on forever this year.
I Love Christmas Time.

But, Christmas is over.

Mum says she’ll finish putting away the decorations this weekend. She took down the tree last weekend. Too bad we can’t keep the cheerful decorations up awhile longer yet, I like them but Mum claims it’s past time to put them away.
Sometimes time is a real important matter in our home and sometimes it isn't.

We move on a blend of Autism time and college time around here.

Autism and college time are a bit different than other time apparently.
College time is what mum is on. Her days begin and end with the homework and all of the studying she does. Sometimes things get done and sometimes things are put on hold depending on Mum’s coursework.

Autism time is fitting in the rituals, needs, and sometimes very urgent demands of someone with autism. Its reacting and planning and moving through the day, week and year in a manner that best works for someone on the autism spectrum, whatever that is for an individual and their family.
(Mum taught me that)

College time blended with Autism time is my normal time.

I had no idea that there were other schedules or ways to experience time.


It’s like autism.

If mum hadn’t started explaining to me about autism behavior traits and such, I’d have had no idea that my boy Red wasn’t what others call “normal”. Sure, he doesn’t always act like the other humans but I never stopped to consider that different.

None of them really act like the other.


What the heck is normal anyway?

Frankly I don’t really believe there’s such a thing as a "normal" person.

Mum explains normal is more of a range of behaviors and ideals that can be used as a tool to evaluate if someone needs special help with something. Sometimes, she says, its a term used in a mean way.

I've seen meanness but I still don’t understand normal - any more than I understand meanness.

I do however understand my brother, Red. There's not a mean bone in his body.

Mum says that if I study Red and study autism, I can help others understand kids with autism better.
She's going to help me learn more about autism – on college time, which will be blended with autism time of course. Which means fitting teaching me in with our normal schedule.

Sporadic is a time that comes to mind.