In Defense Of Autism: Synopsis

In Defense of Autism … Synopsis The Open Road

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Autism is not a handicap. It is a state of mind. “In Defense of Autism” is about the right to be autistic. “In Defense of Autism” is written with siblings, relatives, friends, and educators of an autistic student, and the autistic student himself in mind. Marc Segar wrote in his thoughts, “A Survival Guide for People with Asperger Syndrome” the following noteworthy sentence: “The best key to overcoming autism is understanding!”2 - by friends and family, by teachers, school sites, and, significantly, by the student himself. “In Defense of Autism” is to give autistic individuals with family and friends around the world a strong voice. To give the autistic individuals their one basic right: the right to be autistic. How does “In Defense of Autism” distinguish itself from the volumes of other books, articles, websites, blogs, etc? If there is an epidemic surrounding the issue of autism, then perhaps it is the volume of information accumulating every day. Much literature is aimed at helping parents. And parents need all the help they can get! It would seem, however, that little is written in defense of autism.

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“the open road” northward bound to Dayton, Washington; from Dayton’s official webpage. “A Survival Guide for People with Asperger Syndrome” Marc Segar, 1997 edition; compare also “California Department of Developmental Services: Autistic Spectrum Disorders” www.dds.ca.gov. 2

©Francis Safaie-Brown, 12515 Caminito De La Gallarda, San Diego CA 92128; [email protected]

In Defense of Autism … Synopsis

“In Defense of Autism” is therefore an attempt at increasing the significance of an autistic person. It should be viewed as a looking-glass to enable everybody participating in the lives of an autistic student to “see the world through a different lens, to think in unique ways …”3 This is an attempt at encouraging all those in an autistic child’s life to assist, with patience and persistence, the autistic child develop skills aimed at enabling him to become his own advocate, to stand up for himself, and to share with others that he is autistic without sounding apologetic. “In Defense of Autism” is an attempt to encourage everybody in an autistic individual’s life to constantly and regularly: - gain insight into current medical, neurological, and psychological understanding of autism, as well as basic legal aspects of special education and a school district’s special education educational framework; - understand the standards and other testing requirements and how they apply to autism; - have insight into the performance requirements and job descriptions for teachers in special education with emphasis on autism as well as those for instructional assistants in special education with emphasis on autism. All with a single and specific objective in mid: how best to be the most effective advocate for the autistic son, or daughter, or friend in ones life!

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Compare “Autistic Spectrum Disorders: an Interview with Author-Advocate Mitzi Waltz: the Spectrum of Autistic Disorders” by Linda Lamb

©Francis Safaie-Brown, 12515 Caminito De La Gallarda, San Diego CA 92128; [email protected]