Comments on: Autism Acceptance Month: Empathy in Action

By: WebProArticles.com | Autism Acceptance Day- New Blog Articles

WebProArticles.com | Autism Acceptance Day- New Blog Articles — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:54:16 +0000

[...] http://karlamclaren.com/autism-acceptance-month-empathy-in-action/ [...]

By: Karla

Karla — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 01:47:42 +0000

Thanks Stephanie, There are some wonderful organizations run by autistic people, and they'd be a great resource for you as you work out ideas for becoming supportive to this community. The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network is a good place to start: http://autisticadvocacy.org/ Their motto is "Nothing About Us Without Us." And The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism is a site that covers the issues facing autistic individuals and their families, and this is a good post on diagnoses of sensory processing conditions: http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/2012/06/sensory-issues-vs-behaviors-on-recent.html In terms of being supportive, watch out for organizations that present autism as a tragedy, or an epidemic, or something that "steals children." Those organizations tend to support therapies that treat the autistic person as less than human, and they're not okay!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 22:31:59 +0000

Dear Karla, thank you so much for your post. As a “hyper-sensitive intuitive” (or empath) and budding (amateur) music therapist with aspirations of working autistic persons, the elderly and the the general public, I foresee some wonderful applications for the info you present here. In fact, I have also wondered if people with autism, ADHD/ADD and perhaps OCD weren’t also “sensitized” individuals responding to environmental stimuli.

I’m hoping to provide some rhythmic and improv movement therapies, as well, although my training has been mostly in meditation and rhythmic breathing, yoga and martial arts.

Thanks again for your informative blog. I hope to check your future posts. Please feel free to email with any suggestions you have about the work I mention above.

Sincerely,

Stephanie A.B.

By: Karla

Karla — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 03:27:15 +0000

Thank you Mo! In-the-trenches is right! Wow, the multiple conflicts and confusions surrounding autistic people is intense. Thanks for the work you do as a non-typical advocate!

By: Mo Bailey

Mo Bailey — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:59:36 +0000

Hi Karla – having worked with several age ranges of people of “hidden challenges” primarily with Asperger’s, I applaud you for your work with educating the neuro-typical world on this topic. I left “in-the-trenches” advocacy to work as a non-typical advocate as it feels more highly valued as my purpose. That said; in your brilliant way that only you can do, as a mom of a myth busting son with AS, not as an advocate I send gracious thanks and cheers your way!

By: Karla

Karla — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:07:04 +0000

Oh, here’s a beautiful post about communication and empathy by Amanda Baggs, who’s in the video above. Awesome!

http://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/04/plants-outside-the-shade/

By: Karla

Karla — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:55:31 +0000

I'm glad you're here! I'm bopping around and finding great pieces throughout the blogosphere today. Have you read Steve Silberman's piece at NeuroTribes? It's excellent! http://blogs.plos.org/neurotribes/2012/04/02/autism-awareness-is-not-enough-heres-how-to-change-the-world/

By: Neo Aspieside

Neo Aspieside — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:51:49 +0000

Wonderful post! Thank you so very much. I hope many people read it and have a better understanding. We need acceptance and understanding. The YouTube video of Amanda is one my absolute favorites. In my post today I talk about NTs judging an Autistic’s happiness by their standards. So neurotypical of them.

By: Marita

Marita — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:48:55 +0000

“Normal people are the ones you don’t know well yet” love it

Thank you for this post. I will be bookmarking it for future reference.

By: Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:09:38 +0000

Great resources and wonderfully written. Thanks so much!