Opposable thumbs are not just for Hailing Taxis

I have always been an outspoken and opinionated person... No, no, it IS true! I can hear the gasps of surprise, shock and denial. I can admit it. I can be both silver tongued and red-pointed tongued (if that is what the devil has) and sometimes I can just basically stick my tongue out, blow a raspberry sound and give the two fingers in an act of utter childish dismissal.

But there are times when I am opinionated - and fiercely so - about things I believe in. I could list them here but then I would just waffle on!

If you are not familiar with the "Autism Community" first let me pop that bizarre visual image you might have of a gated or fenced community where all the Autistic People are kept. It's not that - and no doubt even making a joke about it will draw the "Angry Evangelicals" (explained later) to demand I show more "awareness" or "acceptance" or whatever the current buzzword is.

Anyway, two of the wonderful members of this world have been Dean and Amy who run their page "A Year In The Life Of Autism" (@AYITLOAutism) on Facebook which was all about their Vlog they successfully completed for 365 consecutive days all about life with their 5 year old son (now 6) who is Autistic, and has other needs such as global delay, being non-verbal, and so on. I won't go into all the details as you can find that out on their pages. It was an amazing achievement for them to vlog for that long giving wonderful insight into their world and that of Charlie, the mega-star behind it all.

They have achieved so much more than just s a few videos, though. They have raised so much more awareness about the realities of life with Autism, campaigned for many people, received excellent media backing and support, and they continue to drive home the positive message about Autism. I have had the pleasure of knowing them since about April (2015) when I joined with them to support another cause. Dean and Amy came to the rescue of another page which was failing to reach anyone due to the lack of knowledge of those running it. They used their contacts and positive message, and I joined in by managing the Twitter Account and together we raised almost all of the "Likes" and "Followers" they still have today.

Unfortunately, the copious advice and guidance we gave day in, day out, was dismissed on too many occasions, and when Dean, Amy and I felt that the page was being used inappropriately (negative posts; posts that were revealing too much personal info in a public domain, and so on) we decided to back away. Sadly, the "proprietor" of that page then locked Dean out and got unjustifiably aggressive towards me so we stepped away. What they were (and often still are) doing was (is) poisoning the positive message that Dean & A.Y.I.T.L.O.A. believed in. They also couldn't stretch to the extent of honesty in citing the great work that Dean and Amy had achieved on their behalf.

But here we are approaching the end of 2015 desperately clambering for that amazing milestone of 10,000 likes on Facebook. Now, I don't normally subscribe to the "begging for likes" mentality, but I have my exceptions. Dean and Amy not only work hard for their beautiful children and family, but they really do fly the flag for Autism with positive gusto, and they stand by what they believe in. They could easily spend their time bemoaning the challenges, sulking about how so many people just "don't understand" or "don't accept" or "support" - but they don't. They share the successes - it is a joy to hear how their son Charlie has come on leaps and bounds in the last year, and to also see how much love there is between him and his little sister, and what a team all 4.5 of them make (visit the page to see what the "0.5" is all about!!!).

In my opinion, even though I support other great people in the Autism Community (Tom Bowes and his "Autistic Genius" and Chris Bonnello and his "Autistic, Not Weird" to name but a few) I have also come across too many people who have been somewhat negative and almost attacking in their nature - demanding that people SHOULD be more aware, more accepting, less ignorant of autism, as if the whole world should know about Autism and nothing else. It's as if you're either 100% pro Autism OR you are some dismissive, nasty, ignorant, negative person. They attack teachers, schools, doctors, and anyone else who doesn't immediately leap to 100% support. They shout about the moronic "others" who don't fully understand.

But I say: why should everyone be fully aware? How can they be? If a child is screaming and shouting in public are we all supposed to immediately get out Autism checklist out and survey the parent before being allowed to think "I have a headache, I wish that kid would shut up?" What about so many other conditions - ADHD, Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia, or more obviously physical needs? Must we shove them aside and no longer seek more awareness of those because we have to be super aware of Autism just because one angry parent calls us "ignorant"? And what if the only exposure to Autism has been "The Rain Man" or "Mercury Rising" or TV shows about savantis? When and where else is this "school to teach all ignorant people about Autism"?

Everything I have learnt about Autism and Asperger's Syndrome has come from experience working with children for over 15 years, and as a teacher for over 10 of those years. Teachers who have to work with between 30-300 children in a week with a vast array of needs and yet be seem to give equal time and attention to all of them without virtually no specialist SEN training. That is not their fault - that is the error of the system. These parents and campaigners I refer to are thankfully in the minority - they are the "Angry Evangelicals" I referred to earlier...ones who will insists that EVERYTHING they say MUST be prefaced with their child's NEEDS rather than their achievements. They are the "woe to me, the sufferer of world ignorance." They are those people who seem intent on flying the flag of victimhood any time, all the time. They are the total opposite of people like Dean and Amy, Chris, Tom (and others I have met and gladly support in their campaigns.). People who will discuss the challenges, but frame them within a life governed by success, achievement and ambition, striving to say above anything else that life is there for taking, but it won't wait for you. Chris Bonnello has openly said on many occasions that Autism awareness is about meeting half way: wanting to teach others and help them to understand, but being willing to push himself: visit and like his page too as there is so much to learn. And Tom is Autistic Genius by name and nature - now literally award winning in his devotion to spreading positively and constructively his insights and advice. So this blog post is not an aimless waffle, but a genuine plea that you might look into the work of these people who, between them have now gather nearly 30,000 followers, and reached literally millions more. I REALLY want AYITLOA to get that 10,000 likes milestone, so I will be pushing and harassing people to like their page, as well as Tom and Chris' pages. Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and the connected conditions are a fact of life for 1/100 people in the UK. They do not need to be feared - they are not diseases that can be "caught" or triggered by other medical interventions. And above all, Autism is NOT a "definition of a person" it is merely just an indicator that, like with all other needs, illnesses, or disabilities, just might call upon a little understanding, patience, and adjustment.

Most animals on this planet have limbs and paws or pads that are able to point at, and push away with great ease. Human beings eveloved with hands that have opposable thumbs for many reasons. Not just for hailing a taxi. Above all, I believe, it was so they we might better hold them out to pull each other up. So, let's do that now, and pull these campaigns up to 10,000k LIKES - not just because be CAN, but because we SHOULD, and because they deserve it.

Colin

AYITLOA - Facebook: CLICK HERE

Autisc Genius - Facebook: CLICKHERE

Autistic, Not Weird - Facebook: CLICK HERE

#Autism #Awareness #Autistic #SEN #AutisticGenius #ChrisBonello