Op-ed: The anniversary of autism
April 3rd, 2008By Jacqueline Aidenbaum in the Washington Times, whose son has autism:
Some parents of young children on the spectrum hide their diagnosis and instead say that their children have a speech delay. They reckon that since their child’s condition may improve, it’s better to steer them clear of the shame and social rejection that autism might bring. If that were the case, it is about time we educate the community on what the condition is really about …
By designating April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, the United Nations has responded to our call to bring autism to the forefront. It is now up to all of us to fully embrace their diagnoses with dignity, for if we hide them, we perpetuate the stigma.
My wish is that one day, when my son goes to school, makes new friends, or meets the girl that is out there for him, it will be okay for him to say, “and by the way, I have autism.”
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on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 10:10 am and is filed under autism, commentary, discrimination, first-person, personal stories, stigma.
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