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Ruth Elaine
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Ruth Elaine
I'm on the spectrum
One word that describes my journey with autism is anomaly; I was born with profound autism before it was known as a disorder. Nonverbal, I identified with Midnight, a Persian cat, until a neighbor insisted that I drink from a glass like a child, not lap milk from a saucer. Easily distracting myself with glittering lights and sparkling prisms, I spun myself through early childhood. A school principal, nurse, psychologist and the Girl Scouts helped me learn to talk, read and become socially appropriate, to save me from being sent to the institution for the mentally ill recommended by our doctor. I graduated college magna cum laude, earning a Phi Beta Kappa key. I became a clothing buyer, interior designer and talented dress designer, receiving awards for my clothing. The day I was diagnosed with autism at age 54 was a turning point. I left my clothing design business to focus on learning to balance body energy, becoming a Reiki master/teacher mentoring people on the autism spectrum. I taught myself to understand and read facial expressions, developing a teaching tool called Face Window, and founded a social group for people with Asperger’s syndrome, which is ongoing. I serve as the Midwest board director for ASA and am married. I love being a grandmother.
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