autism and genius - how 'neurotypicals' can benefit

Its not often you find an article espousing the virtues of having aspects of autism- and furthermore suggesting an understanding of autism might be utilized to release 'flashes of genius' in those of us who are 'neurotypical'. Yet that is exactly what I discovered while reading the latest edition of The Economist (April, 18 -24th) in the article "Genius Locus". In a study published last week by Dr. Patricia Howlin in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Dr. Howlin addresses this idea. Because one of the characteristics of people with autism is their restricted, repetitive interests and activities, they can have savant-like skills in certain areas. Dr. Howlin suggests that these obsessional interests and repetitive behaviors allow them to practice excessively the particular skill of their interest, thus sometimes attaining  superior ability. So, to follow that logic, if one practiced  mathematical puzzles or a musical instrument for hours each day, one could conceivably achieve expertise such as might be seen in an individual with autism. There is much more to the article than genius and savants and well worth exploring further. Check it out!

What to do when the school bus stops coming at 22 years

What options do families have for their adult children with autism after they turn twenty-two? Support services for adults with autism are few and far between, if they exist in some places at all - so scarce, that school districts are usually very little help in offering guidance to parents of what to expect for their child. Will the student be able to work independently, through supported living, or need an adult day program? And what are the housing options, - besides very limited?

Consider that autism is a lifelong disorder requiring careful treatment specific to people with ASD.  And that the wave of people with autism about to age out of the California school system is only a few short years away. What to do? I think we may have a problem here! 

As this is Autism Awareness month, it is increasingly important to remember that autism doesn't go away after 'early intervention', which has been the focus of attention in recent years. Although most children do get better over the course of their lives with intense services, the autism remains, however it may manifest itself. I was very heartened to learn of a senate bill introduced by Senators Durbin (D-Il) Casey (D-PA ), and Menendez (D-NJ): the Autism Treatment and Acceleration Act 2009 (ATAA) http://www.autism-society.org/site/news2?page=NewsArticle&id=13301.  ATAA would create many services for adults with autism- vocational, employment, housing and transportation to name a few. This is something for all of us to get behind!

Autism Awareness Day

Today is worldwide Autism Awareness Day, and perhaps a time to reflect on how far we have come in understanding autism - and how far we have yet to go. There is so much we need to know to understand why there is such an increase in the incidence of autism. And so much planning to be done as the crest of the wave of young people with autism ages out of the school systems and still require services. 

This month, the April edition of the  magazine "The Advocate" of the Autism Society of America focuses on the lives and perspectives of people with ASD. One article "Accepting and Valuing Difference" deals with the mundane activities that are rarely mundane for persons with autism, work, families, and what is referred to as the "culture of autism."   The authors state that their hope is to offer information that might help the greater community to discover new ways to "integrate the information and perspectives we offer into their daily life and work, with the common purpose of building bridges of understanding across all segments of our autism community."

Because so many more people with autism are mainstreamed and/or participating in many more ways in their communities, it is incredibly worthwhile to hear from those who write of their own experiences with ASD. We all have much to learn as we try to be more inclusive of our differences, because in many ways, this will be how we, as a community, will best manage the huge numbers of people with autism.