Comment by jaybrendansmith
8 months ago
That takedown was boss. Thank you. As a parent of two autistic children, and uncle to many more in my family, I can say that it is clear their minds develop differently, and many high-functioning autists successfully mask it and make it later in life. And these are quite often extremely gifted intellectually and academically, to the degree that while life is a struggle for them socially, they are far better than their 'norm' peers in other areas. I've not seen anything from RFK Jr beyond trying to support his anti-vaccine stance and what I would at best call evidence for 'othering' autistic people. And if he thinks he is going to make them victims, I can assure you he will find myself, my family, and the community at large ready and eager to destroy him. One could make a more coherent argument that we should create a database of those who lack empathy, the narcissistic sociopaths among us, and place them in camps and let them tear each other apart.
It really wasn’t any sort of “takedown”. It was the same stuff people have been saying on the internet for years that’s disconnected from what is reality for so many parents.
It absolutely refuted every inane speculation you made. I understand you clearly aren’t here to listen or change your mind, so it unfortunately passed right over your head.
It didnt, It was a list of wishful thinking. I have more exposure to families with previously called "low functioning as it relates to children, and plenty of adults who are very capable and high functioning.
What I do not see people willing to discuss
Parent getting called to school 3-4x a week, causing issues with work
Child running from school or aide and requiring a tracker program
Police/CPS involvement from "runners"
Destruction of marriage from constant state of stress
Violence to siblings
Inability to give attention equally in the family
Incredible high divorce rates, parents and any non a to a pairing.
RFK's speech had some issues, but if you read the transcript it does not match the sound bytes
All of his references to negative autism behaviors/impacts were in regards to the 25% of profound autism.
As I said, I know at least a dozen families where the above is their experience. Single moms breaking down on FB because they have no support and stressed to the max, Dad losing out on projects and sales because it cant be trusted he'll be in the office when needed. Siblings hiding away, sick of outbursts,yelling, non stop activity.
It is a disservice to all of those people to act as if the spectrum does not have a far range of activities.
That sure as hell doesnt mean we need to start trying to end "autistic people" and I think it is manipulation to say RFK's prevailing theme has ever been "autism", it has been a belief that the weaknesses in our food and drug systems are increasing chronic illnesses, mutations etc. Some headlines travel longer, the AIDS/HIV denial and Faucci hate should have got way more attention.
Its not RFK's words, its the media's practice of hyperbolic language that causes any real or perceived damage to the community.
I dont believe there is a connection to find, but maybe this will end the snipe hunt and that funding can just go towards creating spaces and education that allow for a range of interaction and social styles after September. But to ignore both sides of the experience is disingenous and is certainly a slap in the face to the families experiencing real hardship from their child's divergence.
I am not even a fan, I just despise the lazy characterizations that get slung around in all emotional spaces, he is mostly a careful speaker, especially compared to the norms now.
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> As a parent of two autistic children, and uncle to many more in my family, I can say that it is clear their minds develop differently, and many high-functioning autists successfully mask it and make it later in life. And these are quite often extremely gifted intellectually and academically, to the degree that while life is a struggle for them socially, they are far better than their 'norm' peers in other areas.
This is one of the most uplifting thing I have heard in a while! Your children and the autistic kids in your family are very lucky to have such insightful, empathetic and caring adults like you around. Your presence make a huge difference in their lives. And as they grow up, they'll gift you a lot of unexpectedly sweet and proud moments. Good Luck!
> And if he thinks he is going to make them victims, I can assure you he will find myself, my family, and the community at large ready and eager to destroy him.
That's a very heartwarming and empowering statement! Some people argue that high-functioning autistics shouldn't talk for low-functioning autistics. But the autistic and the medical communities doesn't hold that distinction. Only 3 levels of disabilities exist. When I see the 'low-functioning' autistic people, I recognize in them the intense versions of the emotions and feelings that I'm all too painfully familiar with. That's why I decided to make an impassioned stance here. Yes! I'm seriously concerned about the safety and welfare of my peers - the only people I could ever understand.
All this dogma, greed and misinformation threatens the lives of millions of kids, a huge number of very innocent individuals and the very roots of the knowledge and profession we held dear throughout our lives. I don't know why some people hold on to false promises and rhetoric. But the final result of that is recorded very clearly in history. If only they did a bit of research on that too. It's very disturbing that many still can't see the very obvious danger signs. However, the stakes are too high to just watch and worry. Now is the time our voices and actions matter!
I'm bowing out of this debate. I have no illusions of being able to break people out of their artificial realities. But I think I made the point I wanted to - to record a sample of the false information about autism out there and its hollowness. Thank you again for being a decent and awesome human being! I hope we will have more allies like you. Thanks!