What’s in a word?
Are you autistic or do you have autism?
Dave, author of 4 Daves and a Zoo, writes:
People with Autism? Or Autistic People? Which is the proper way to refer to people with an autism spectrum diagnosis?
Earlier this week I was asked how I referred to my son. Generally, when speaking, I say he has autism. It is one piece of his whole makeup, not the entirety.
However, when writing I’ll use the term autistic if autism is the focus. For example: Learning to accept my autistic son.
I was curious what Jay thought and asked him what he preferred. He responded, “I don’t really care either way.”
Dave writes:
Are they kidding me with this????? WHO CARES????? WHAT DOES IT MATTER?????? When the h*** are we as a people and I mean ALL people going to get the heck over ourselves???? I mean, REALLY!!!
Does it matter? Do you care?
Read more of Dave’s thoughts here.
Web browser for kids with autism
Children with autism now have a friendly browser to use called ZAC (Zone for Autistic Children).
Sue, author of Sueblimely, writes:
ZAC is a web browser specifically designed for children with autism, and autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, (PDD), and PDD-NOS.
The browser was created by John LeSieur, grandfather to Zackary. LeSieur’s grandson was diagnosed as severely autistic in 2005 and was the inspiration behind the project.
To learn more about the browser and find interviews with its creator, read the full post here.
Autism is Hell
For all its joys, raising a child with special needs can be difficult.
The author of The Gluten Free/Casein Free Diet Experience writes:
As much as I love my daughter the way she is and appreciate her black sheep differences, and even though she is a very high functioning child on the spectrum, there are many times where autism is hell.
She writes about dealing with schools, being kicked out of the pediatrician’s office, and being cussed out by other parents.
As I read through the blogs of others with children on the spectrum or those on the spectrum themselves, I see a lot of these things being shared. And I see a community that unites itself in many ways.
To read more awesome posts by bloggers blogging for autism awareness, visit the BlogNetnews.com Autism section here.
Blog about autism and want to join us? Read this. Looking for one of the new badges or a headline widget click here.
