Autism Spectrum Disorder & the Public

An interesting article popped up on MSNBC.com today about Autism.

Adam Race, a teen who weighs over 200 pounds, was recently banned from his families' church (I cannot pass at taking a free jab at those damned Christians who continue to not practice what they preach). A judge upheld the ban on Adam, citing the Priest's claims of some behaviors that would most people would consider to be very disruptive.

I'm not here to argue Adam should be allowed back in the church; His mother, Carol, says the claims were exaggerated, but who knows really?

I will, however, continue to be amazed by the sheer stupidity of parents in this country. There are clearly some Autistic students who should NOT be taken into general public areas by the parents, but there are some who can handle such things.

If the claims were true about the peeing his pants, I can see the church's case. However, kicking a student out of church because he occasionally makes loud noises and may bolt for the doors as soon as church is over...these are lame excuses. It's called compassion you Christian asshats!! It must have been widely known within the church that Adam had some problems, and people who attend said church would know to ignore his flare-ups when they occurred. Moreover, they could have dismissed church for Adam and his family first before everyone else, that way he didn't "run people over."

If his mother/family didn't let the church know about Adam's diagnosis, then they made a serious mistake. Parents with children identified with Autism MUST take some responsibility here both for their children, and for the public to be aware.

Finally, as noted earlier in this post, there are some students who are so afflicted with the disorder that they become untenable to take into public (I worked with a little girl who I would never take into public without some strong adult reinforcements). But, the comments of Jason Goldtrap, who has a brother identified with Autism, is a total duchebag.

He's right that there is a place for institutional supports/centers, but when he talks about his brother who seems reasonably self-sufficient and able to identify that he wants to stay out and about...there's a disconnect in his brain where I don't think he "gets" the difference between functional Autism and non-functional Autism (not real words, but my made up type of diagnosis). Also, it is clear that some changes need to be made when it concerns Goldtrap's older nephew (who he says is 21), saying that there are times the police need to be called because he gets so violent.

This is another facet of how the health care insurance and general industry are screwing Americans. There should be some insurance funding there to get this 21 year old some help.

Bottom Line: As always, parents need to have some freaking discretion and take some responsibility for the health and well-being of their children. Socialization is an important goal for Autistic students, but not when it becomes violent and overly disruptive.