The Grinch who stole World Autism Awareness Day

I don’t mean to sound like the Grinch who stole World Autism Awareness Day, or even the green-eyed monster, but I have some real issues with this “day” and America’s views on autistic spectrum disorders. I will start by saying that I am the mother of 20 year-old with early onset bipolar disorder and Asperger Syndrome (There’s more but that is for another blog). So my issues with World Autism Awareness Day have nothing to do with my ignorance of, or lack of concern for those that suffer from an autistic spectrum disorder. My beef – and it is as big as the biggest herd of cows – has to do with the fact that I am tired of the growing misconception that children on the vast autistic spectrum are the most complex children on the planet and the most underserved.

This simply is not true. It is not only children with autism who are in need of intensive speech and language services, behavioral interventions, social skills training and sensory integration therapy. So, why should health care insurance cover these services only for the child with autism and not the child with another disorder or illness?

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President Barack Obama, Moth Balls and Gutter Balls

I have already blogged on President Obama’s gaffe on Late Night with Jay Leno regarding the Special Olympics. Still, the topic and the individual at the center of this teachable moment deserve more scrutiny, conversations and blogging. Far too many of our citizenry and that includes the disability community have given President Obama a “get out of responsibility card” with a mere apology and White House invitation to some Special Olympics athletes. Yet, Mr. Obama’s slip of the political tongue brings to light, the glaring, harsh reality of how Americans view our citizenship with disabilities, along with our President’s ignorance.

This is a President who made it clear that he views disability to equate inability. From my perspective this was a wonderful moment because it taught me and countless others, early into the Obama Presidency and these first “100 Days” that Barack Obama has a steep learning curve. Disability advocates/activists have our work cut out, if we are to see this President include our children and adults with disabilities in his vision of an America in crisis and America reborn.

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