I think it’s tragic that people have so many prejudices, especially about things they don’t understand. They don’t know what they’re missing.
Have you even known someone with: ALS, MS, Parkinson’s Disease, CP, Alzheimer’s, Tetanus, Pinched nerve, meningitis, Huntington’s Disease, Migraines, Epilepsy, Polio, stroke, or any of the other neurological disorder?
Would you tell someone who’d suffered a stroke to just talk properly? Unlikely.
Would you tell someone with ALS to stop being so lazy? No way.
Tell someone with Alzheimer’s they could remember if they just tried harder? Doubtful.
Someone with Parkinson’s to stop shaking, that they were just trying to get attention? Improbable.
Yet people with Autism are constantly told to grow up, smarten up, man up, stop being so lazy. People scoff, blame, bully, abuse, mock, make jokes, call names, etc.
Autism is a neurological condition just like any other. They have as much control over how their brain works as any other neurological disorder.
Hopefully someday Asperger’s won’t even be a diagnosis, people will start to respect Neurodiversity.
Until then, they need help and one of the best places to start is OASIS (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support), http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/ where I admit I’m somewhat of a lurker, as I am on most Asperger’s and Autism sites. There to find information and resources for my son, I don’t always feel like plunging into the fray myself. At least OASIS is a respectful site, not prone to the relentless bickering, squabbling, arguing, and bullying to which some Autism sites fall prey.
I wish more of the Autism community could pull together, avoid the infighting, and work toward a common goal of helping those with Autism live better lives.
I was lucky enough to borrow an ARC copy from Netgalley.com of Asperger Syndrome: The OASIS Guide by Patricia Romanowski Bashe, 3rd Edition, published by Harmony Books/Crown Publishing available October 14, 2014.
When my son was diagnosed with Asperger’s years ago there was little information, now there’s a lot of misinformation, but thankfully there are sites and books like OASIS. Full of incredible, insightful inspiration, advice, and more, this comprehensive guide can help put things into perspective when your head is swirling.
A refuge on those days when you just feel like crying.
It seems lately stated or unstated Asperger’s characters are all over TV, in movies, and in books, with varying degrees of success and respect:
Community, House, Star Trek, Doctor Who, The Big Bang Theory, Sherlock, Elementary,
Boston Legal, Bones, The Bridge, Skins, ReGenesis, Grey’s Anatomy, Silicon Valley,
curious incident of the dog in the night-time, Edward Scissorhands,
Adam, Monk, Hannibal, Temple Grandin, 24, Triggers, Mercury Rising, Parenthood,
Fringe, Alphas, Doc Martin, Dear John, 
House Rules, Criminal Minds, P.S. I Love You,
Rain Man, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, CSI, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,
Mozart and the Whale, My Name is Khan, Snow Cake, Touch, Somersault,
and more.
Most often showcased as charming, eccentric, funny, cute, and usually brilliant Nerds or Geeks who have great jobs, loyal and caring family and friends, etc.
Unfortunately the prognosis is not often that optimistic.
I can’t emphasize enough that this is a debilitating disorder, not entertainment.
Not functioning is not charming.
Not being able to keep a job or friends isn’t cute.
Getting into difficulties or danger because you can’t comprehend situations is not brilliant.
Being left out, mocked, teased, bullied, or hurt is not funny.
Being medicated or hospitalized or jailed is not eccentric.
Struggling all day, every day to even grasp some of the world around them isn’t amazing.
It may make for good entertainment, but in real life, people have to live with the consequences.
