Comments on: So I Should Jump Off A Bridge?

By: Astrid Bidanec

Astrid Bidanec — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:01:30 +0000

This girl seems to be somewhat misinformed–about your point of view as well as the activities of Autism Speaks.
My son did not say a word until he was 5 years-old, so I can certainly relate to her frustration about her brother. Nevertheless, I do agree with you that non-verbal communication is certainly a way to express yourself as well.
Maybe it is her own lack of non-verbal communication skills that upsets her?
As far as Autism Speaks goes, I cannot say that they paint a fair picture of the autistic community. I do believe however, that their main goal is to raise awareness for early intervention. They are trying to ‘speak’ for the babies and toddlers who will no doubt benefit from early therapy services.
So maybe you should take a step back and look at everything from a distance. Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees.

By: blah

blah — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:47:58 +0000

i think she meant that there’s people out there who have serious autism..and people with asperger’s don’t represent all the people on the spectrum..there’s more severe cases that really affect people’s quality of life..and they’ll never be able to do things on their own

By: Timelord

Timelord — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:06:08 +0000

As someone who has been told to “jump off a bridge” myself I can certainly empathise with your gripe, Zach! There are some who certainly overstate the importance of speaking as a communication line. I wonder what this person’s attitude is towards someone who is mute for example? Technology is highly advanced and has the ability to provide alternative communication lines, and for someone to try to – in effect – discourage that is downright disgusting.

By: patrick

patrick — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:51:36 +0000

I don’t think the negative emotion of that comment was intended for you, actually. I think it is a rip/jab from the commenter on Autism Speaks choice of their agency’s name, as the commenters brother doesn’t speak.

By: laurentius-rex

laurentius-rex — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:14:49 +0000

I only recently discovered the Housatonic was a river in Massachusets, that’s what you get for listening to Charles Ives.

US rivers have such picturesque names.

My local river is called the Sowe, and then there is the Avon, which just means river in Welsh

By: Justthisguy

Justthisguy — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:07:01 +0000

Tallahatchie, I believe. It’s a river in Mississippi.

By: laurentius-rex

laurentius-rex — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:12:56 +0000

Tallahachie, how do you spell that?

oh well that song was running in my head when I posted.

Whatever one should be allowed to legitimately disagree with any organisation, a constitutional right surely.

I don’t think even autism speaks has defenestrated the opposition yet or thrown them off a bridge

By: laurentius-rex

laurentius-rex — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:41:24 +0000

Talachie notwithstanding eh?