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02/27/2005: "Autism and Oscars"

Every day, without fail, I am in the school library. I read books and magazines and almost anything laying around. On friday, Newsweek had just released their newest issue, and it happened to be on Autism. Did you know that autism affects 1 in 167 children born? It isnt usually diagnosed until the age of 2 or 3, and its the fastest growing devolopmental disorder, and it affects more children then childhood cancers, down syndrom, and muscular dystrophy combined. Yet it recieves the most limited funding, and most people are in the dark about it. I found the statistics very surprising.

My best friend growing up was named Amanda. I met her when I was in the second grade. She had a 3 year old brother, and another on the way. But see, her brother was different. He didnt talk, he didnt walk, all he did was point, and watch disney movies. Her family later learned that Shawn had autism. So, along with my best friends family, I began to learn about autism and how to help Shawn. When he was 7 or 8, he was in a special school. I visited him at the school and went to pick him up some days. I saw there were other people like him...it was a very strange experience.

Bernie, Shawns mother, does everything she can to help her son. He has had a cap worker (someone who specializes in people with disabilities, and helps them function in the real world) since they found out he had autism. Most people with it cannot talk. Shawn began to learn to speak very slowly. He cannot make full sentences like a normal 13 year old. But he can go one for hours about disney characters. When he couldnt talk, he would use signs and note cards with pictures on it to demostrate what he wanted. I found that facinating.

People with autism are widely known for repitition and rocking back and forth. Some memorize numbers, video games, or almost anything. Shawn loves Disney movies. He knows the so much about every disney movie. And his family owns every single one. Stuffed animals? He has a living room full, literaly. Pictures of animals? That is the only thing I can draw well besides flowers, because I would have to draw lions, snakes, and giraffs because Amanda was too tired to draw for him.

There is another side to the Autism though. Fustration. Fustration for the family, and fustration for the person with autism. Imagine not being able to tell your family what you want without speaking. Imagine watching your son struggle to show emotions. The only way sometimes, for them to show emotions is to do what a 2 year old would do. Kick and scream. I didnt understand it at first when Shawn would hit me, what he wanted. He wanted me to try and understand. Now, he is learning to go about it another way, but he still occasionally kicks and screams. He now touches your sholder or something like that.

However, here is something funny...one of shawns new cap workers, who was new to the field of working with disabled students, had Shawn suspended from school...for sexual harassment! Shawn was put in a 'normal' school when he was 10 or so. But he has a cap worker with him. He touched her breast, trying to get her attention...it certainly got it. Anyone who has ever worked with someone autism, knows that they do not mean anything sexual. Its a joke among Amanda's family now.

Over the years I have known Shawn, he has taught me alot. He remembers my name every time I visit. That is a challenge, and something to be appluded. He appreciates the little things, and he is easily pleased. Give him jungle book, and he will be entertained all day if you let him. (Which of course, we cant let him do that all day). He is just someone I appreciate and love dearly. I hope he understands that, and if not, he at least knows he doesnt have to kick me to listen to him.