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Ted
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Ted
I'm a professional
As a professional who also once had an uncle and an aunt with severe developmental disabilities, I learned early that, in the deepest sense, families who have loved ones with autism are just like all other families, and people with autism are first and foremost people. What families need most is support rather than promises—and they need that support today. It is essential to work with families in their homes and in their communities so they can overcome the obstacles that prevent them from having and enjoying together the good things in life that other families experience. It is essential to address the personal and emotional needs of every member of the family because having a loved one with autism can be tough. It is essential to fix the broken systems that prevent people with autism from reaching their full potential: teachers who are not adequately trained, administrators who don't "get it" resources that don't exist and regulatory policies that are regressive. Finally, meaningful applied research is essential and requires a willingness and enthusiasm for collaborating with fellow scientists of widely varying backgrounds to solve problems and give the greatest gift of all: hope.
(In memoriam)
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