I'm Adam Chadderton and I'm writing this blog about Autism, specifically on 'The Language of Autism' as featured in Wired magazine.
Autism is a brain developmental disorder that is often diagnosed in young children. Those who have autism often suffer from what many would call mental retardation. There is no set standard for how autism effects individuals. While autistic people may lack certain communication skills, or exhibit strange or repetitive behavior, these traits or symptoms occur in various degrees among individuals with autism. Because of this, there can be no set standard for aiding the autistic community. Each person must be provided for on a individual basis.
Generally, autism is seen as a disorder or a defect; a bad roll of the genetic dice. Amanda Baggs, an autistic woman explains the condition differently. She describes it as thinking in a language all her own. This language is not so much communication, instead a reaction to all aspects of her surroundings. While this is a language all her own, Ms. Baggs vehemently believes that it is equally important as any other spoken language. It's obvious through Ms. Baggs 'translation' portion of the video that she is very articulate and intelligent, and that her autism serves as no real disability, only a completely different thought process that seems unintelligible to those on the outside looking in.
Amanda Baggs had a specific reason to post her youtube video. She states in her video that she wished there was as many autistic support sites as there are for the homosexual community. She goes on to state that the video was to serve as a political statement, wishing to disprove claims that autistic people are unable to function effectively in society. Currently, Ms Baggs is working to achieve her goal and is becoming a part of a growing network of autistic individuals. We're beginning to realize that we need to rethink our stereotypes of 'disabled' people. This video is like the beginning of that.
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17 comments:
Autism is a condition that does not have a specific guideline. My sister has Autism and her level is more severe than most Autistic people. I really do not like using the terms retarded or disable. I agree with using a term such as "Differently Abled" because it is so true, there is just a difference in the learning. I commend Amanda Baggs for her courage to speak out and promote awareness about Autism. Autistic individuals really have to be taught individually and more efforts need to be made to make this possible.
I was amazed by Amanda Baggs. She is truly courageous, and definitely challenged some assumptions I had about autism. I would not categorize her as disabled at all. Amanda's articulation is what stunned me the most. I do have a few questions, though. How did she learn, and would an autistic child normally be able to be streamlined in education to reach her level? I have really no experience with autism, and I am interested in looking further into how such people can be guided to their full potential.
Amanda Baggs is a truly amazing person. People are so judgemental and to have the courage to open up to people is amazing. I never really been around someone with Autism enough to understand. Baggs is a person who has made the best of her situation. I believe what you make out of something is what you get out of it. She has chosen to make the best out of her situation. Making her an truly inspiring person.
I have never met anyone with Autism. I hear about it but have never experienced it first hand. Reading about Amanda Baggs and watching her was interesting. She seems like a couragous individual that will not let societys assumptions effect her. Her interactions with the world around her is very interesting and something I have never seen before. I love the explaination she gives through out the video. It really challanges and helps break stereotypes.
I agree with Romona on this one. The term "differently abled" deems the condition much more fairly. Many autistic individuals such as Amanda lack communication skills, but by no means does that infer that they are socially lesser than others or that they lack skills altogether. Many times, those with autism are actually brilliant in mathematics and formulas. I have a cousin who has autism and when told a specific date in history, he can promptly respond with what day of the week it fell on. Though that example is not always the case, to say that the autistic community has lesser abilities than others because of their lack of communication skills is naive and mindless.
I think that if we are going to say that Ebonics is a language or dialect, despite the accepted standards, then the language used by those with autism should be given the same respect. I was shocked by Ms. Baggs use of our language. I can't even imagine what it must have taken for her to learn, but I am extremely grateful to her. The autistic community needs to have someone out on the front lines fighting for their rights. It has been common and frequent in history for the majority, or those with power, to shun that which they don't understand. Only in the last hundred years have these discriminating beliefs been challenged and, as a result, changed. The autisic community needs people like Ms. Baggs to challenge beliefs about people with autisim and hopefully change them.
Autism is a very strange condition to me because it effects so many people and at so many different levels. After watching reading and watching the video on Amanda it makes me think about Jason McElwain. He is was a senior at Greece Athens High School in New York, and suffered from Autism. he was also had been the schools basketball manager since he was a freshman. For the last game of the season the coach let him suit-up with the team, and become a player. With only a couple minutes left in the game, the coach put him in to play. McElwain wasn't expecting to get in the game let alone score. He started hitting 3-pointer, after 3-pointer to everyone in the stadiums surprise was shocked. Jason Scored over 20 points in under 4 minutes and made headlines around the country. I would have not believed it if i did not see the video for myself. Although autistic just like Amanda they have challenge the way people think about autism. People with autism might be grouped together, but all need to be focused and taught differently.
The video of Amanda Baggs was very inspiring. I have never been around anyone with Autism, nor have I ever studied this condition. I think this condition is very challenging for the individual as well as for the person/persons helping he/she to communicate. What little I know about Autism, leads me to believe that there are so many different levels of communication that one can be at. Also, there are so many types of communication to be dealt with whether it be: Physically, socially or mentally. The video really helps one to see the different ways Autistic people communicate. I am interested in learning more about non-verbal autistic people.
I think of Autism as a challenge. I don't think of it as a disease, though some people might. Amanda Baggs is very brave for posting that video, and I applaud her for doing so. Just because someone has Autism doesn't mean he or she is less intelligent than someone without it. I think a lot of people believe that being Autistic lowers his or her aptitude for learning. I disagree; I think it just changes the way he or she learns. Even though Autism may affect different people in different ways, I still think that all Autistic people are able to learn.
Autism is a condition in which I have no real experience with, I have never been in contact or have tried to communicate with someone who has the condition. Amanda Baggs video was interesting; I can understand why she believes that there should be more autistic support sites. A person who suffers from autism should have a voice in this world, by having more autistic support sites it will only allow those with autism to be able to communicate and have their voices and opinions heard. I understand it can be difficult for many to understand what a person with autism is trying to say; but regardless, they are still trying to say something and that something should be heard.
In the past I have never sat down and talked to anyone with autism nor been able to see the difference between someone with autism and someone who is mentally disabled. I would have to see them in action and hear what they have to say to determine that. I came to this after reading the article on Ms.Baggs and watching her youtube video. Autistic people are just like everyone else. My belief that autistic people was proven wrong with the article because Ms.Baggs is very inrtelectual, able to use everyday technologies and express herself through typing. Heck, I cant even come close to 120 wpm.
Amanda Baggs was very brave to have posted that video. It made my questions about Autism dissapear. I have actually no experience with Autism, but I have always been curious. Amanda had made the best of her situtation, and tried to let the world know. She answered questions, and showed that the stereotype is all wrong. This woman is very inspiring.
People really ought to think before they label others. People with autism think and act in different patterns than what is considered to be "normal." Yet when a "creative" person does something a little bit "crazy" or outside of "normal" these people are not labeled as retarded. Instead, many times, they are labeled as insightful or as great thinkers. Sometimes these people are even labeled as genius. I do not think that autism automatically makes a person disabled anymore than diabetes makes me a disabled person. Sure there are varying degrees and in some cases maybe autism is disabling to individuals. Yet is it really fair to put labels on everyone with the condition such as retarded or disabled? I don't think so.
Autism, is often described as being mentally retarded, but is merely a is a brain developmental disorder that is often diagnosed in young children. Amanda Baggs, is a real trooper for being so out there and believing what she stands for. She is fighting for her and to give the community surrounding her a chance to understand what Autism is, and maybe make a change.
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