Replies

Most autistic people suffer from fits, though they are not epileptic.

Those 'fits' they suffer are anger, rage. They (collective autistics) have a very real problem conveying their emotions.

Anger is the 'squeaky wheel' we all recognize. It's effective.

Perhaps they normally died young before the invention of all kinds of medicines.

There is no cure...medicine will not help...Autistics are Uber-focused. No outside help available...they are true to themselves.

Perhaps if you had a child with autism, you'd understand there is no health deficiency/problems. This is not Downs or Fragile X.

Perhaps they normally died young before the invention of all kinds of medicines.

Perhaps their parents, unable to 'deal' with their 'troublesome' behavior, left them 'in the woods' to let "Nature take its' course."

Not me.

A close friend of mine worked first as an aide than as a teacher at a school for autistic and multi-handicapped children for about eight years. She told me a great deal about autism and the children she attempted to educate. She said that most autistics have fits, though they are not epileptics, and that they take medication for it. She even admitted that much of what she did was merely babysitting that gave the parents a break. Our mutual circle of friends all agreed that none of us could do what she did -- we lack the patience. The school certainly had a very difficult time keeping teachers and aides, despite the high salaries. My friend lasted longer than most and only left because of exasperation with the administration, not the kids.

I know there are different degrees of autism and a few "high-functioning" autistics can hold good jobs. Most however, cannot, and parents may be unable to accept that fact. They can't accept the fact that, at best, their children will work in a sheltered workshop stuffing envelopes or the like. Frankly, I do question the wisdom of continuing to try to educate an 16-year-old still in pullups! After a certain point in time, it is obvious that a child is uneducatable. If the school wants to give the parents a break, just put the kids in a big room with toys and whatnot and let them play under supervision. Attempting to "educate" them is just an exercise in futility, a waste of time and, yes, money. And, yes, I do know that they have a "right" to an education, even if it is a waste of time.