Talking TO our friends with autism

When you're a "neurotypical" person orbiting the autism universe, you have to keep some things in mind:

• You are more alike than different.
• Don't force your way in to their atmosphere.
• Time your entry well.
• Be respectful of their planet.  (You sure do expect them to be of yours!)
• There's nothing to fear here, but plenty to learn.  Be a careful observer.
• Know when it's time to leave.
• Make a report, and ask your people with autism to provide feedback on your observations.
• Plan frequent return visits, modifying your interactions based on information gathered.

"Grand Universe" ©2005-2014 ANTIFAN-REAL

(Caution: Do not overthink this metaphor.  I am not suggesting that people with typical neurology are human and those with autism are not.  I'm simply expanding the "Wrong Planet" concept.  I mean no offense or disrespect.)

As Good Friend co-founder and fellow autism mom Denise Schamens and I have expanded our observations of and interactions with this autism spectrum cosmos, we have gained a better understanding and appreciation for the wonder and beauty it holds.  One of the most revealing discoveries we made was while attending an AUTCOM (Autism National Committee) Conference in Milwaukee in 2010.  For the first time, we beheld live the power of those who type to speak.  Attending a panel presentation on public policy advocacy, we were surprised that most of the presenters used some form of Augmentative and Alternative Communication.  Though sometimes conveyed with great effort, their thoughts were so sophisticated.  I marveled as I observed the outward autistic symptoms of unrelated vocalizations or dysregulated movement, often while the advocate continued typing insightful feedback to questions posed.  I was at once exhilarated and ashamed.

I was ashamed because I had made assumptions about intelligence outside that room that were more likely than not untrue and harmful.  I based my assumptions on observations: slow (or no) speech, uncontrolled body movements, facial affect.  I realized after this panel presentation both how little I understood and how much more I wanted to.  My "a-ha" moment encouraged me to dig deeper and presume competence.  Talking to people with autism instead of about them or to their support person extends dignity.  Our words matter -- and so do theirs.

Seeing Wretches & Jabberers deepened my appreciation for the plight of Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette and other people with communication and movement differences.  And I was encouraged to infuse this appreciation into Good Friend's staff and student trainings, as well as in my parenting of my two neurologically-diverse children.

What does that look like?  It's encouraging self-awareness in your student with autism; because in order to advocate for him- or herself, your student with autism needs to understand what he or she needs.  It's expanding your concept of communication; because for young students who haven't found their voice, you owe it to them to discover their other "tells".  It's being patient while they're learning and not rushing their communication attempts, or otherwise disrespecting or discounting their input.

What "a-ha" moments can you share with readers to be encouraging?

A BIG week!

Sometimes, Mondays ROCK!  And yesterday was one of them.  Good Friend kicked off an exhilarating, exhausting week Monday morning with a summary of the findings of the research study conducted by two professors at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  We're reserving the best bits of news for the guests of our annual Member Appreciation Night this Friday!  But what we can say is that both our staff in-services and Peer Sensitivity Workshops make a measurable, positive difference in expanding autism awareness, acceptance, and empathy!  Denise and I are still trying to wrap our heads around the magnitude of Simone DeVore and Brooke Winchell's findings, which will be presented at the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders' annual conference in Chicago next month.

Dr. Brooke Winchell had her work cut out for her as she began to pour over the raw data from the surveys UW-W collected during Good Friend staff in-services and Peer Sensitivity Workshops in the 2012-'13 school year.

Zooming back to host the first of our two open casting calls for "We ALL Fit", our new elementary school peer autism awareness short film, we shifted from one excitement to another.  We met 23 hopefuls for the project, and are realizing we'll have some difficult decisions to make once we complete today's session.  We welcome you to audition!  We have some specific profiles we're looking for, and no acting experience is necessary.  Here's the list:

• girl with autism, age 6-10, who has some reliable spoken language
• boy with autism, age 7-11, who uses a type-to-speak device
• boy age 2-4, dark-haired
• girl age 2-4, blonde-haired, willing to have a tantrum for the camera
• extras: six 10-11 year-olds (mix of boys and girls), three adults (age 25-65), two 12-15 year-olds

Just show up at Citizens Bank of Mukwonago in Waukesha near Center Rd. and Hwy. 59 and go upstairs to the Training Center between noon and 3 p.m. TODAY for a quick on-camera audition.  Call Denise at 262-391-1369 with any questions.

We hope to introduce you to at least a few of our 30 newly-chosen cast members at Friday's Member Appreciation Night.  How many more reasons do you need to join us??  Awards, celebrations, new study findings, an Aaron Rodgers autographed football up for grabs ... PHEW!  Like I said, it's a BIG week!  If you plan to be at Steinhafels in the Community Room at 7 p.m. on Friday, please email Denise if she doesn't know already.