A Sad Story on Father’s Day: The Wright Family Feud
June 17, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Katie Wright, National Autism Association (NAA) and Safe Minds board member and the mother of an autistic son, Christian, says that she has not spoken to her father and co-founder of Autism Speaks, Bob Wright, since he and his wife Suzanne “repudiated their daughter on the charity’s Web site” on Saturday, June 2nd. The June 18th New York Times reports
Ms. Wright called the statement a “character assassination.” She said she had not spoken to her father since. Ms. Wright continues to spend time with her mother, but said they had not discussed the situation.
“I totally respect if her feelings were hurt,” Mrs. Wright said. “But a lot of feelings were hurt. A lot.”
In the short time since its founding in February of 2005, Autism Speaks quickly became a “mega-charity” by forming alliances with the Autism Coalition for Research and Education; the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) (”devoted to scientific research into potential genetic causes, with high standards for peer review”); and Cure Autism Now (”which has championed unconventional theories and therapies.”). As Suzanne Wright notes, Autism Speaks (and the Wrights) stepped into the middle of disputes about the causes of autism (environmental, genetic) and treatments for autism—-disputes which are the subject for impassioned and fierce exchanges among parents of autistic children. Further, Autism Speaks did not initially acknowledge the experiences and the voices of autistic adults, whose views will only become more and more important as autistic children today (including my son and Katie Wright’s) grow up. The New York Times article also does not mention that there are other autism organization besides those mentioned, and specifically organizations that have been founded by and represent autistic adults.
It is sad to read about Katie Wright not speaking to her own father on Father’s Day. One family, one organization, cannot provide the answers to the many questions that many have about autism—about how best to help a child; about why the prevalence rate has increased—-and those disputes will continue. But I hope that Katie Wright and Bob Wright can start speaking to each other again sooner rather than later: Both have had significant roles in the short history of Autism Speaks, and it would be a cruel irony if two persons—an autism mother and the grandfather of an autistic child—can no longer speak to each other.
And, even more, let’s hopt that, rather than on the Wrights’ family squabbles, the conversation about autism can focus on the things we can agree on—on education, and on what we can do now to help autistic children achieve to their fullest potential.
Jon:
It really might be helpful if you issued a public statement apologizing for the “empty shell” statement(s). Not too long ago I spoke with a member of the CAN SAB. This researcher, was very kind, but had bought into the “empty shell” rhetoric and was stunned when Dov did communicate via his letterboard. Do you see that enormous kinds of research may have been missed over the ten years that the “empty shell” premise was in vogue? Please, I gently ask, that you address this in a pubic manner and offer an apology.
Thank-you.
Can I clarify, that Jon was being disengenuous, to say the least when he said that he cared what autistic people think, but didn’t care for what i think because he has judged me as a “fundamentalist.”
Jon and his wife have been aware of the gentle statements made by autistics about the offensive nature of his and his wife’s organization and their tactics, including their promotion of a non-existent epdiemic, the rhetoric of which handily dismisses the existence of a million autistic adults in the US, but raked in the donations for him and his wife and their organization. We have been trying to get them to behave like ethical humans for about 5 years that I know of, but they are like all teflon coated and botox injected and impervious to criticism, and blind to the most polite pleas for a change in their rhetoric.
Maybe that will change, but for now, the Shestack/Iversens are being roasted (by autistics including Tito Mukopadhyay who plainly claims that they personally abused him) and they well deserve it.
It’s nice to see that Shestack’s bids for pity were so effective. Maybe he’s had a lot of practice at that.
Since I rarely visit blogs like this, I am not up to speed on whatever history/drama y’all have running between you. So while I have been intimately involved with autism for the past 18 years, I am basically reading the above comments, and fast coming to the same conclusions as those posted by Kristilee.
This is the internet, and therefore available to anyone who stumbles into the arena. To read these comments as an outsider, is to be struck by the blatant hostility and bad manners displayed by some of you. How much do you think your attitudes advance the cause of autism (regardless of what Mr. Shestack has, or hasn’t, allegedly done in the past)
No human is perfect, and no group of people will ever be totally in sync with each other at all times, but some of you need to dial back on your ill disguised hostility. Mr. Shestack has at least had the courtesy to maintain a modicum of decency, and civility, in his responses. I can’t say the same for the most vocal of y’all.
If you don’t like the way AS is progressing, then get off your collective behinds and volunteer to sit on a committee, or lobby to be on the board. To do any less is to do exactly what Ms.Clark accuses Mr. Shestack of doing…..whinning. Or perhaps you prefer things the way they are so you can complain about how others do things. By doing that, your comments read as another of Ms. Clark’s accusations….that of bids for pity ‘Oh, poor us, we’ve been left out of everything. Nobody listens to us’
Again, this is why I stay away from these forums. They all seem to be filled with people who are hostile, angry, and looking for someone else to blame rather than doing something constructive about the very cause they claim to be so invested in.
Thanks, Leigh; are you a parent of an autistic child or a teacher? This particular post is on issues that many have a lot of opinions and passions, and questions, about. Far from whining, Ms. Clark, Bonnie Ventura, and many other of the commenters are long-standing autism advocates who are constantly engaged in advocacy, via the internet (Ms. Clark’s Autism Diva blog) and elsewhere.
I think tension is not only inevitable in these sorts of discussions, but also necessary. There are many more ways to advocate for autism than to talk about curing and treating it. To quote from a famous advocate for civil rights and much more, “….. Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal”…….I think we are on the way, but it’s a long journey and full of bumps and dead-ends and detours on the way. The good thing is that we keep talking and listening, and listening for those whose voices have yet to be heard.
Kristina, I second your recently mentioned comments!
Also, Autism Diva’s blog is intellectually honest. Ms. Clark, you and Kristina are excellent voices for our community.
Leigh is correct of course, but she can’t see what it was in Mr. Shestack’s comments that were “button pushing.” It’s like coming upon a fist-fight on the street and deciding from the outside, knowing nothing, who started it. You might decide that the more angry acting person started it, but you don’t know if the other fellow is a long time bully and something just snapped in the mind of the angrier person.
I appreciate your comments, very much Kristina and mysonsdad. Other autistics are much better than I am at retaining the ethical and social upper hand by not “flying off the handle.” But, I really feel it was time for Mr. Shestack to face some of the anger that he has been a part of stirring up for years and years. I’m not sorry that I showed him how angry I am at him and his wife.
Tito M. is angry, too, but tends to remain very polite. I’m still not seeing any apologies for what Shestack/Iversen did to him and his mom.
“Since I rarely visit blogs like this, I am not up to speed on whatever history/drama y’all have running between you…. [I am] … fast coming to the same conclusions as those posted by Kristilee.”
One may want to avoid drawing hasty conclusions when one is not “up-to-speed” on the subject matter.
I learned a lot from this exchange—-things needed to be said, and they got said.
I also learn a lot from these exchanges and find it helpful to have a place where I can express my opinion even though it may differ from others. I do get offended personally when people say certain things especially when I feel they have made a comment that insinuates that my daughter is less than a whole wonderful person. I feel that it is hard for someone who is not a part of these discussions to understand the emotion behind the e mails and could jump to conclusions. I would encourage them to read more and really listen to what everyone is saying before they decide who is reacting in the wrong. As I see it no one is necessarily wrong just different opinions and all passionate about hteir beliefs.
Dr. Chew – I am the mother of two children with autism, and the wife of an Aspie (gee, I wonder why I’m so sure genetics has something to do with all of this;>))
Thank you for the link to Ms. Clarke’s blog. I look forward to reading it. Perhaps it will fill in some gaps for me.
Ms. Clarke – I can appreciate and understand your anger….regardless of its source. I’m a firm believer in righteous anger. What I’m not a fan of is sarcasm and bad manners. For me, it unfortunately diminishes and detracts from whatever good ideas, or excellent points, you may otherwise make. I find it especially distasteful in a public forum.
Which segues neatly into Culvercitycynic….since my last comments were based solely on the interactions between the players on this particular blog, I’m quite comfortable drawing the conclusions I did….I cannot, nor did I, comment on the past behavior of any of the individuals, I simply commented on what I was seeing here and now….and it ain’t pretty.
Thanks, Leigh………. There is much worse elsewhere! And glad to “meet” you.
Julie, very good point(s)!
Autism remains as baffling to those attempting to manage it as it is to those affected. Until it is more clearly understood, until we are offered more than a spectrum of widely varying theories and studies about what it is, we will continue to hear widely varying ideas about what to do. My son’s autism might have several answers. Today, we’re addressing gut related issues. Tomorrow, who knows.
“The difference between involvement and commitment is like an eggs and ham breakfast. The chicken was involved. The pig was committed”
I do get from all the posts that everyone seems very committed. That’s great for our children.
Kristina: “There is much worse elsewhere!”
No joke. As if the EoH forums weren’t bad enough, I just read the recent entries by John Best, Jr, at “Hating Autism”…that guy sounds more and more like Fred Phelps with each passing day.
mysonsdad,
David Kirby was involved. Jon Shestack is committed. That doesn’t stop their ideological offspring from doing equally enormous harm to the entire Autistic community.
Autism may be a good deal less “baffling” to those of us who live it than to those whose glorious mission it is to “manage” us.
Cant imagine trying to manage you dkmnow, so you may have a point.
How do you suggest we communicate with those who have differering ideologies? Furthermore, if you’ve made autism less baffling please share your knowledge. Seriously, I really could use your insights.
I’ll just say, like more than a few bloggers, I have gotten some interesting emails.
We all think enough and so much about autism that we write publicly about it—-I am glad to have a diversity of views. I hope that won’t stop.
“There is much worse elsewhere! And glad to “meet” you.”
And you also:>)
Yes, unfortunately, I know there’s worse out there. My daughter is also hearing impaired, and should you ever care to see people behaving like they’re at the Colosseum, while the lions devour the Christians…..then you might try participating in a discussion about the virtues of sign language v auditory verbal therapy. Truly not for the faint of heart:>)
I do wish to say, to all of you, that no matter what my personal opinions are of how you choose to conduct yourselves here, I appreciate anyone who invests their time, and energy, in the effort to bring greater awareness to the mystery that is autism.
I would love to have enough spare energy to actively do likewise. However, between coping with the daily meltdowns of two autistic and one aspie, and funding the multitude of therapists we seem to employ, I don’t have much left over for activism, or bickering:>(
It’s a goodly sight easier to sit on a committee when, like, they will answer your communications. But ya know, we aren’t invisible. They should have approached us FIRST. And don’t get me STARTED on individuals. Including Mr Oh Hell I Can’t Spell It But It Starts With An S. Or Ms Singer. Or the Wrights. *insert gagging here*.
As for manners. Well. Frankly. Calling me an empty shell, toxic waste dump, metabolic disaster area, or collection of genetic errors (heard em all) all falls in the category of “flat out asking for a fight”, and CAN/AS/ONAG (Other Nauseating Autism Groups) are ALL guilty of promoting these ideas at one time or another. THEREFORE, technically we’re holding back.
Besides which, you spend all this time teaching us to communicate only to be pissed off that we dont honey glaze everything? You can get pleasantries or real information. Real information is more useful. Once you’ve entered the realm of slapping me across the face with a glove, verbally, you’re lucky if it’s just snarky OR patronizing and not BOTH.
Can’t speak for everyone but I’m sure I’m not a N=1 case.
Kassiane wrote:
“As for manners. Well. Frankly. Calling me an empty shell, toxic waste dump, metabolic disaster area, or collection of genetic errors (heard em all) all falls in the category of “flat out asking for a fight”, and CAN/AS/ONAG (Other Nauseating Autism Groups) are ALL guilty of promoting these ideas at one time or another. THEREFORE, technically we’re holding back.”
Exactly, and when we say something back (which was really pretty polite–I never called Jon Shestack “soulless” or an “empty shell”, for example) he attempts to shut us up by saying we’re just being mean to him and Autism Speaks, et al. Then he pulls this rhetorical trick of acting like one of us COULD get on a committee he is on, if only we were polite.
The parallels in this conversation with classic racism and the unfair and dangerous wielding of power are pretty stark.
Wow. I am not sure how I happened to come to this ongoing “feud”. I do know that with any issue there will always be different points of view and often there are truth’s in each person’s position.
What I do know is that there is an increase in cases of children affected with “autistic like” “symptoms”. There needs to be definition here that “being autistic” like Temple Grandin, and having “autistic symptoms” which have alienated my son and caused him to endure improper and inappropriate disciplinary treatment at school are different things.
People like TG don’t need to be “cured”. “Symptoms” of Autism, like a lack of ability to communicate, severe tantrums, self harm, biting others, problems with transitions, an unusual need for consistency and structure, difficulty with reading and handwriting — self-regulation, sensory overload, extreme anxiety, unusual fears, etc, etc, need resolve.
I am thankful to any agency which aims to bring broader awareness to the “symptoms” that frequently define “autism” in young children. I am thankful to any agency that will fight to gain recognition that things like gluten and casein, and altered levels of nutritional deficiencies requiring a greater level of support through supplementation, ABA programs, other instructional supports, and most importantly early identification and intervention are key to helping children affected by this ND condition to assimilate learning and self-regulation.
I can only comment based on my own experiences. My son, if properly identified at an early age by all the psychologists, speech therapists, and pediatricians, may not have had to endure being pulled out from his kindergarten class to the high school safety officers office and made to stand on one leg with his arms out to either side “until he could behave” — which meant to sit quietly, not dash out of the room or not go under the tables, not yell out at inappropriate times, to participate with the group and not gravitate to the top of the playground equipment and “ignore” the teachers calling for him to come down during recess — which resulted in no recess for the rest of the school year.
With broader understanding and better ways to understand the “symptoms” under the Autistic umbrella, maybe my son’s teachers and school psychologists will not be prone to putting him in a seclusion room left screaming, banging his head, biting his nails to the bleeding point, or causing him so much emotional stress that he reverted to severe autistic rather than “mild”.
With bringing broader knowledge and evidence to the general population about biomedical approaches, maybe we won’t be referred to CPS by school personnel for limiting gluten/casein/soy/eggs/sugar from his diet (even though proven through laboratory study), or for seeking alternative treatments such as NAET, and requesting administration of his “supplements” by the nurse during lunch time.
Maybe with all the attention these issues are getting, we who have been fighting that all of this makes a difference in limiting the “symptoms” to people who have insisted we’re crazy and just need to “discipline” him better, as a result, will give us some validation that the ridicule is worth it and maybe we really were parents whose hours and hours researching and learning on our own, unsupported, were not in vain.
Yes, we have a son who is “labled autistic”. Giving it a name helped us know how to find the right treatments that have made a difference. Broader knowledge has helped those working with him understand that this bright, verbal (result of 8 1/2 years ST, 3 yrs. OT, and too many to count “non-traditional” treatments) and loving boy with “unusual emotional responses” is really not “conduct disordered” or “emotionally disturbed”.
I don’t care which agency brings reinforcement or awareness to the general public, fights for better educational treatments, early diagnosis, etc., etc.,
Maybe through the research and validation that diet changes alleviate “symptoms” that interfere with learning and functioning we may not address ALL cases of autism, but at least many.
It may be better said that there is no “cure” for Autism, but the negative “symptoms” related to Autism which interfere with or mask the beauty and individuality of this ND condition, do need a “cure”.
One year on the diet and supplements, coupled with knowledge and training, added with a thoroughly harsh complaint to the State Education Agency, a now responsive and ABA trained teaching staff, and my son is “functioning” in a mainstream classroom, enjoying reading and writing, playing with same age kids, carrying appropriate conversations….. has he been “cured”??
No, but he is happy!! He is not crying every single day at the slightest mishap or change in his routine, biting holes in his shirts, sitting on the sidelines at sports or recess eating dirt or “playing” (aka: overfocused) with ant piles.
Without the heroic efforts of EVERYONE who has brought Autism, autistic symptoms, dietary interventions, scientifically based research on educational modifications/interventions, to the forefront, and given parents tools to help our children succeed and make measurable progress in our own individual situations; none of Gavin’s progress would have been possible.
I thank everyone in the Autism community for all the many individual and diverse contributions.
Now, what about that jet plane, huge salary and other enormous fringe benefits provided to people of Autism Speaks? Anybody know anything about that?
I am an advocate too, for my son. But it took leaving my job as a graduate level professional and losing my health benefits to do it. A story all too common I am sure…..
It takes a lot more than a village to help our kids—-my son is happy now after having endured some similarly terrible experiences in classrooms where staff, however well-intentioned (or not…..), did not know what to do for him. Some time ago I might have thought that “just being happy” was not enough—-he ought to be mainstreamed (he is in a self-contained ABA classroom), he ought to be able to manage interactions with peers on his own, and a lot more—–but knowing that my son is happy signals to us that we have found the right things for him and that he feels loved and understood and appreciated for being himself. A great boy, like Gavin!—thank you for sharing his story.
As for the private jet—-once I saw their address was on Park Avenue in NYC, I figured there would be a few perks.
Thanks Kristina — we are all connected through our children and similar experiences. A truth to the saying “it takes one to know one”!!
I am sorry about all the distress that appears between JS and the rest of the people blogging here. I have nothing to offer either way. There is a bigger fight out there, and a need for unity (strength and power) among the Autism/Aspergers/PDD/ADHD advocates.
Our children suffer no matter where they fall on the spectrum, for a variety of reasons. There are “causes” for the increase in these conditions; treatment options — Pharmaceutical companies… well that’s another fight.
The future for these kiddo’s and our communities, our educational, social service, psychiatric, financial and criminal justice systems will soon become unable to handle the generation’s of kids are affected negatively in some way. I would like to find more information on projections and a plan for how to address the more pressing issues of how, as a society, a large “community” or “villiage” we are going to help our children become independent and self-reliant, contributors vs. dependents in the future of all. For those whose outcomes may not include independence and self-reliance — what and how are we going to take care of all these kids as they enter adult hood??
You may have heard about an 8 year old autistic boy who “accidentally” caused the death of one of his 9 month old sisters (twins). Because I am on the Board for the agency which provided help to the family I had an opportunity to meet directly with the the boy and his family.
It was a terrible situation in which the media inappropriately reported the circumstances and paired the situation to children who “kill” children and followed by a story reporting what is wrong with the criminal justice system in that children under the age of 10 could not be held accountable.
As I mentioned, I met with this boy. Clearly “autistic”. What this means to many is the inability to see outside of themselves, sense of danger, cause and effect, possess judgment skills…. even after his 9 month old sister was dead from falling down the banister (the “slide”) the boy continued to care for her, attempted to feed her cereal to help her wake up… etc. What’s going to happen to this boy if this part of his intellect and development is arrested at this stage??
As parents of these children, we are all so stressed, our life expectancies are not promising. Who will care for our children when they still need help when they are adults? Are we establishing plans for them? Is society ready to do the right thing for them? Are there adequate resources?
Yes, we need a cure — or at least something!! Do you see the crisis pending? I do, and I am very concerned.
Regarding the comments JS made, I hope there can be some resolve so we can move on to the reality of what will become of our children and nation.
What upsets me most, and JS if you read this please explain, is the information that came out based on the financial audit of Autism Speaks. JS, Please put the money where it is grossly needed. So many of us parents have had to go to one income households to fight for our kids. Personally, I am blessed that we are ok. Many families are not. What can AS do to help on the “front lines”? Many parents have to choose between their financial stability, saving for the future and their children’s needed therapies.
It really concerns me that there is possible abuse of funds, donated funds –from people who really would scrape the bottom of the barrel if it meant to make a difference to help children, by the “corporate big heads” at Autism Speaks.
Say what you will, JS, but at the end of the day, when you soak into your lifestyle, please think about the lifestyles the majority of the parents with children on the spectrum are having to endure — and they don’t whine about it.
Please, I pray for legitimate, responsible, and ethical use of funds that are meant for the improvement of “helpful” research and treatment programs, advocacy, and most importantly — the children who are affected.
Here is a copy of the info. re: inappropriate or questionable use of funds at Autism Speaks. This is the info that needs to be addressed by JS, in my opinion. THanks.
>>
I am a professional that has reviewed many non profit organization’s IRS Form 990s. Autism Speaks Form 990 raises serious red flags. Serious. This is all from the official filing for 2006.
1. Three members of the Board of Directors received $2.5 million for their own organizations.
2. The President Mark Rothmeyer, just received a 5 year contract for about $2,000,000
including bonuses with no prior background with autism.
3. The grants are primarily going to those representing institutions that are reviewing the grants. There is no indication that these conflicts are independently reviewed
4. The location of this small and new foundation is in very expensive downtown New York facilities rented for $200,000 by the institution that is run by the Chairman of Autism Speaks.
5. A expense of a Private Jet plane for $57,000 was noted. This is very unusual for a new non profit groups.
6. The head of the scientific review received the majority of the funds for 2005 for his institution for a data base – almost $3 million
Since the funding is now from the public – and the advertising and promotion tugs at the publics heart strings with images of families in need – the funds collected MUST be about those it raises the money for.
The following are all taken from the Form 990 filing
Web Site $830,000
Software for the computer $514,000
Lawyers $440,000
Computers $337,000
Public relations $285,000
Office annual rent $200,000
HR consultant $110,000
Editorial Consultant $76,000
Private Jet Plane for someone that entertained $57,000
Mark Rothmeyer* $360,000
Peter Bell [$240,000?]
Alison Singer $168,000
Mr Ringall $150,000
Andy Shik $110,000
Remember all the above also gets significant fring benefits that
probably add.
Mark Rothmayer also can get $50,000 more with a bonus a year benefits
Here is the AS 2005 990. Here is the 2006 990.
Further discussions on AS allocation of funds, choices and ethics can be found here, here and here.
Read all post on Autism Speaks here.
>>>
“As for the private jet—-once I saw their address was on Park Avenue in NYC, I figured there would be a few perks.”
The fact that an organization is a “charity” or “non-profit” might suggest some economic humility on the part of its officers, but it’s often the case that those officers decide to reward themselves quite handsomely for what they perceive as selfless work. Not so selfless when a private jet and swanky digs are in play, perhaps.
There’s another point worth making here, too: “autism” isn’t the only neuro-difference that takes a lot of unfair crap. Would Robin Williams, who is bipolar, have developed the incredibly agile mind he has if his parents had been hellbent to cure his “disorder”? I have an aged bipolar friend who recently had SEXtuple bypass surgery, because of the lifelong stresses from his situation with which he failed to adequately cope, and is in dangerously hot water with the city over the condition and management of his property because the city is intent on CONFORMISM and compliance rather than understanding, tolerance, and cooperation. He has a $12,000 fine over his head and a threat to completely re-landscape his property in 30 days, or ELSE.
Thanks for posting all this, Gavin’s mom—-I first read those figures on an email discussion list–I think the child you mentioned lives in Texas (posted on here). A focus on cure can divert attention from the pressing, daily needs of autistic persons and of their families (”can,” not necessarily does) — and just focusing on the needs of my son and making each day good has made a great difference in his life today and in his future life, and in ours. I’ve more to say regarding your comments—thank you.
I apologize if I left the impression that by “cure” meaning something different than what we are doing to help our son — which is a biomedical or DAN protocol approach. For Gavin it is very effective in so many ways…. Sensory, cognition, self-regulation, emotional control, everything. A weeks worth of “infractions” or a few days missing his supplements, and wow, he’s obviously miserable again as evidenced by crying, emotional regression, sensory difficulties..
I am so excited about the progress he has been able to make through a DAN protocol physician, I want everyone to be able to experience the same. I know realistically that’s not possible as children often come to “autism” by varied routes and to different degrees, per se, and respond differently to different treatment options.
When we take our kids to alternative doctors and pay a lot of $$ for NAET, BioResonance, Hyperbarics, IV meds, detoxification, are we not looking for “cure” for the “behaviors” that led us to seek these things in the first place?? My son was in an opiate fog for so long — he was miserable. Getting rid of mercury fillings and dealing with the “gut” issues has made all the difference, for Gavin. Awareness and proven educational interventions all play a role in “cure” if progress is made. These all address “daily issues”.
At any rate, there is always so much for me to learn from all of you, and I appreciate readers not jumping off the deep end at any comments, but seek clarification if something I have posted comes across wrong.
There really are SO many issues related to all the different aspects of Autism and/or ND involvement. Thanks for listening, and being here. BTW, Gavin is 10 also — and truly a great, great kid!!
Great to meet another 10 year old and his mom! Did you have his fillings removed, just wondering? (Other mothers I know have done this.)
We tried a number of biomedical approaches for Charlie when he was younger (he started the gluten-free casein-free diet when he was 2 years old). He had rashes all over his cheeks and body and I have a few photos of him eating ice cream and looking, well, not exactly focused. As he’s gotten older, focusing on his education has helped the most, in his case—has helped him manage the behaviors that made learning so hard (SIBs). I’ve been to a DAN conference and seen a DAN practitioner, when Charlie was younger.
Mark, thanks for the mention of “other neurodiversities”—living with Charlie has made me more than aware of these—I’ve mentioned my husband having ADHD and his ability to focus on many different things at once is indeed a strength (and can also makes things difficult for him—-our conversations are usually on several different topics at once).
Kristina:
“…his ability to focus on many different things at once is indeed a strength (and can also makes things difficult for him….”
Errr, didn’t you mean difficult for you? I’m quite sure he’s just fine with the conversational multitasking.
FWIW, I’ve been diagnosed twice with ADD (sans “H”), and yet the way it “presents” for me is quite different: though I go off on tangents and constantly feel the need to interrupt (owing to severely poor short-term memory), I can’t stand to do/work on/talk about more than one thing at a time. It’s almost as if my alleged A.S. perseverative(?) trait is doing battle with my ADD traits. The sad part of that, if true, is that it’s also resulted in my being unable to perseverate in any useful specialized manner, and my career suffered for it. I’m a sometimes-unwilling jack of all trades.
I wouldn’t trade my boundless curiosity for ANYTHING, though, not even financial and career success.
Mark Craig
Of course “difficult” for me at first but now pronounceless conversations are the norm around here…… and, of course, he’s had to deal with my OCD-ness………
Jim often says that he thinks best when in motion, whether driving, biking, walking, running, on the train—gives him more focus. Lately he’s been referring to himself as having “Asperger’s moments” in social situations—guess more people need an education in conversational multitasking.