Autism is NOT a disease, nor is it a condition requiring a cure. From my perspective, it is a part of life; a sensory response by extraordinary individuals who have an extraordinary gift of sensitivity and sensory perception. This often requires intensive therapy. It also requires parents, teachers, and other loved ones to extend themselves to new levels of love and understanding. I do not believe that Autism is caused by vaccinations. Nevertheless, the invasive impact of vaccinations often present extreme symptoms by kids on the spectrum due to their unfiltered sensory response. As hyper-sensitive beings, highly empathic, these children may react to the vaccination in an adverse manner and doing so, this may lend one to believe the extreme Autism manifestations are due to the medicine. I do not believe this is the case. This hyper-sensitivity is also observed within the context of diet and nutrition. Furthermore, due to an intense - acute level of sensory intake, many diagnosed with Autism, shut down and close themselves off due to sensory overload, especially as the child is just beginning to acclimatize to the world outside themselves (1-3 years old). What makes this so profound is that typical developmental growth patterns of infants and toddlers is founded upon interaction with their environments. As parents and teachers, we often look forward to this period of development due to the high degree of "cute", "cuddly" and fun associated with infants and toddlers. In contrast often children on the spectrum shut down and close themselves off from the outside world due to the intensity of their sensory experience. How often do we as adults go to a quiet place when we feel overwhelmed and stressed? It's a natural response to sensory overload.
Nevertheless, our Autistic children do not truly shut down, nor are they cognitively / emotionally in a coma-like state. Developmentally, many of the kids are intellectually focused, and put forth their cognitive acumen toward repetitive activities and familiar settings. The initial learning patterns often touch upon innate gifts, talents, and learning styles. The inconvenient aspect of this behavior pattern is best described as unwillingness to accept change or an adverse response to transitions. These behaviors do not create “kodak moments” within the family photo album; in fact, it can create a serious level of tension within the family structure.
Also, as a result of the limited social language interaction due to the sensory overload experience leading to a cloister response, a child’s skill development in social receptive/expressive language may be impacted. Though the impairment may appear significant compared to a typically developing child, social / language skill development follows a continuum, and most likely, stays the course but within a unique timeframe; their own developmental time line requiring therapeutic support, direct instruction, patience, and understanding along the way. These kids are remarkable young people who are shaping their environments around them in ways beyond conventional wisdom and require understanding way outside the box in light of traditional developmental patterns.
So from my experience as an Educator, Special Education Advocate, and just another person who is trying to learn the dance between the human experience and a spiritual one, the gifts found within Autism are extraordinary for these kids are absolutely profound in the manner by which they relate to the world around them. They touch our lives way beyond the expected scope of typical parenting. Nevertheless, acute sensory empathy or sensitivity in its immature state may appear very challenging at best (and often inconvenient) but then again, as the continuum evolves, this gift becomes more apparent and shines in so many ways.
Our children are a blessing and contribute to the mosaic of life way beyond anything we initially imagined. Unfortunately, many people tend to adversely respond to autistic diversity by placing preconceived notions into the mix and “pegging” these extraordinary children. This is where the rub begins for your child is truly a square peg within a round hole. And Education Advocacy, one of your tools within an emerging kit, will help create a more successful path for your child as he/she moves through life on her own time frame – continuum. He/she is truly a gift to behold, not a result of a medical experiment gone awry!