The Real Wolverine
Posted by Troy | Filed under Autism
Received an article today about Autism in the workplace.
How certain behavioral skills characteristic of individuals with (high-functioning) autism may make them more adept at particular occupations than the rest of us, and how some new companies and non-profits are providing training to foster the strengths of these individuals by providing specialized training with their unique minds in mind.
At first it seems fantastic.
And to a great deal… it is.
The more our society can continue to recognize those with ASD as real people… valuable people with not only skills to offer our workforce, but with souls and personalities and character… the better.
And these non-profits committed to helping those with ASD find a way to make the most of both their strengths and weaknesses is amazing.
And it shouldn’t come as a surprise that on some level our sons and daughters and brothers and friends who have autism possess something that the rest of us do not.
It’s not always so obvious as super-memory or technical musical ability… but it is something…
Honestly, I’ve never told anyone this… but I’ve wondered if evolution may be at work.
That a century of Americans becoming more and more isolated… focused on screens rather than people… and the increased value we’ve given to analytic prowess over creativity… and the abandoning of real food for processed impostors…
is creating a new breed of humans….
and it isn’t like it happened in X-Men… where we’ve sprouted wings and fangs and razor-blades and laser beams…
but the new humans are incapable of face-to-face interaction… most comfortable alone in an enclosed space… find touch and bright light painful…
and even though they may successfully navigate a complicated gauntlet on the computer… they may not remember to stop and go pee before it is too late.
I know it is crazy, but it is just something I’ve wondered.
And even though that article seems to offer hope… it is really just one more example of NBC (just one representative of the system) trying to convince us that Autism is something that it is not (or isn’t something that it is).
The first clue is how many times they refer to “autistic person.” (It should be “person with autism”… it is a disorder, not a label!)
I don’t know if I’d call it conspiracy… but there are really big forces at work in our country trying to convince us of something.
That autism isn’t so bad…
That immunizations couldn’t possibly have anything to do with it…
That drugs might be the best answer for now…
And as much as I believe in celebrating the unique gifts that many with autism possess and finding strength in their weaknessess…
The fact is that many individuals with autism are not what this article would have you believe them to be…
Many cannot speak.
Many have very little motor skills (fine or gross).
Many are so frustrated with their inability to communicate that they bash their heads into walls in attempts to get a point across.
Many never experience true love.
Because we’ve turned them into a label.
When Chris Tachibana used the word “autistics” I almost puked.
And even though we must embrace their differences…
the most harmful thing we can do is accept that it must be.
Read the msnbc article and share your thoughts below.
Tags: Autism, nbc, original illustration
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11 Responses to “The Real Wolverine”
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Jared Says:
December 10th, 2009 at 11:50 amdude, that illustration is dope!
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Troy Says:
December 10th, 2009 at 11:56 amha, thanks jared.
i was hoping somebody would like it.
i kept trying to make it more complex, adding textures, etc… decided to keep er simple.
thanks for validating my decision. -
noel Says:
December 10th, 2009 at 12:58 pmyes, calling people with autism “autistics” is wrong. i understand the hope in this article but i think you hit on the other message in that there are so many people with as that will never even be accepted out in the community and the fact that this is still a reality shows us how far we have to go. and i’m sorry, but calling autism an asset just because a person can work at a company is troubling.
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Susie Says:
December 11th, 2009 at 2:18 amHi Troy-
I read this article yesterday too. I have kept the tab open..have looked into the company..(which happens to be very close to me!) and even started a letter to them. I DO think it’s GREAT that there is are companies that hirse and it seems “mentor”/coach people with AS or ASD. But yes, AS is just one facet of Autism..and it get’s tricky saying Autism is an asset…b/c it’s not about all Austistic people (sorry if that’s wrong terminology) it’s about ppl with AS.as you stated above..Autistic covers a huge range of abilites..and even though my boy is just 11…and has AS..I really don’t know that I can see him doing that sort of work described in the article (unless, it’s interesting to him..he won’t do well with it) ..however, since he and I are just dipping our toes in the ASD pool recently..we have found that it’s lonely and sad being the only person with AS around, so maybe these places are not only helping adults with AS find employment ( teaching job skills,ect) but also possibly a place for them to be with others like themselves…so social opportunities , as well. Again, no expert on ASD or this company, but I do plan to learn more about both..because it gave me hope…
Btw- I haven’t seem Xmen and thought you were referring to something in Ann Arbor.
Interesting theory..very.
I hope you are feeling well and wish you and your family a very happy holiday. -
Troy Says:
December 11th, 2009 at 8:29 amSusie.
I hope you don’t take my thoughts the wrong way.
I agree that those providing training and resources for individuals on the autism spectrum (including those with Aspergers) are amazing and we need more.
You should definitely check those places out.
My beef is with NBC and the bigger corporations that influence mass-media with a particular agenda…
The reason I have a problem with calling a person “an autistic” is because it makes the disorder “who he is” rather than “what he has”
If someone were to call your boy “the Asperger’s boy,” I’m sure that would rub you the wrong way too… for the same reason.
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Susie Says:
December 11th, 2009 at 9:53 amGotcha. It’s all in perspective. I didn’t even think of NBC/agenda. No offense taken & hope I haven’t offended. I am coming from a place where my child has fallen so far thru the cracks that I am happy to find evidence of support. Subject matter walks a fine line b/t being offensive and heartwarming. Good to hear different points of view.
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sara varghese Says:
December 11th, 2009 at 10:59 am“Many are so frustrated with their inability to communicate that they bash their heads into walls in attempts to get a point across.”
I watched this interview of an actress lady (comedian actually), who had an autistic child (had). that line made me think of her. she said that she changed his diet- got the gluten out, etc. and he started to “come out of it”.
Anyway- it was so day and night from the way he was, that her medical assistance refused to give her any more public aid. She said “good riddance, you guys didn’t do anything anyway, so long”, or something like that.
what struck me the most was the story she related of her and her son sitting down at lunch and her son says to her “remember when I couldn’t talk mom?” she was like, “yeah???”
“I wanted to talk, I just couldn’t”- I can’t imagine. praying for you guys.
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Sara Says:
December 11th, 2009 at 11:37 amI continuously have the debate with my kids’ pediatricians over vaccinations and the risks (all of the risks) for my children. I DO NOT WANT TO GAMBLE WITH MY CHILDREN!!! For that reason, I am not a quick “vaccinator.” They greatly dislike me for this reason. “Flu shots only have the same amount of mercury as a can of tuna…” But I still ponder why I would be okay with taking that risk? I await the day that the medical industry (and I truly mean the pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies, b/c they seem to be the ones who are controlling the medical world) come out with their study that shows there may be a link from vaccinations to autism. Unfortunately, for many, it may too late by that time. (and “sorry” just won’t cut it…)
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tim clark Says:
December 16th, 2009 at 6:55 pmTroy, your distinction between “autistic child” and “child with autism” rocked my face off. At first I was thinking, “what’s the difference?” Then the more I thought about it, the more I realized the difference. And the more I realized the difference, the more I realized how crappy my heart is for categorizing people the way I do. I pretty much label everyone I know as something less than a person made in the image of God. I’ve been cut to the heart by this.
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Recent Minimalist Illustration | Troy DeShano Creative Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 9:07 am[...] The Real Wolverine [...]
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Richelle Wright Says:
January 21st, 2010 at 2:04 pmas a once upon a time professional in the special education industry, as a home schooling misso mom who still writes out IEPs for my own kids, as an aunt to a wonderful, unique and loveable boy with ASD…
you are 100% right on target.
thanks for sharing and glad to read in the prayer bulletin that the dr.’s recent report was a good one. we will be praying.
