Comments on: The Conversion Narrative in Autism Lit http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:54:05 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: More Thoughts on Recovery After an Interview http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/comment-page-1/#comment-539829 More Thoughts on Recovery After an Interview Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:40:25 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/#comment-539829 [...] New York and it’d been awhile since some topics had come up, such as Jim’s work on the conversion narrative in autism literature (more about that in this book on autism and representation). Jim just taught a [...] [...] New York and it’d been awhile since some topics had come up, such as Jim’s work on the conversion narrative in autism literature (more about that in this book on autism and representation). Jim just taught a [...]

]]> By: “The front and centre of my change of attitude to life” http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/comment-page-1/#comment-540993 “The front and centre of my change of attitude to life” Sat, 01 Mar 2008 23:29:24 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/#comment-540993 [...] by the experience of raising and teaching an autistic child and Awad’s story is indeed a story of conversion and, too, of redemption and change. Tags: adelaide, asd, asperger, autism, biker gang, conversion, [...] [...] by the experience of raising and teaching an autistic child and Awad’s story is indeed a story of conversion and, too, of redemption and change. Tags: adelaide, asd, asperger, autism, biker gang, conversion, [...]

]]> By: Kristina Chew, PhD http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/comment-page-1/#comment-529794 Kristina Chew, PhD Sun, 24 Dec 2006 07:51:20 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/#comment-529794 Yes it is a bit "formulaic"----and what gets interesting is when writers diverge from the formula....... knowingly or not. Yes it is a bit “formulaic”—-and what gets interesting is when writers diverge from the formula……. knowingly or not.

]]> By: Lisa/Jedi http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/comment-page-1/#comment-529791 Lisa/Jedi Sun, 24 Dec 2006 03:29:29 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/#comment-529791 This is an interesting topic... & brings to mind is the tension between what a family expects of the object of all their efforts (their autistic family member) & what that family member may feel about these efforts. I will admit that I have stayed away from much of the "autism lit", but I can relate to the classic theme of conversion. My archetype for this sort of family narrative is my favourite tween-years book, "Karen" by Marie Killilea, the story of a family raising a child with cerebral palsy in the 1940's & 50's. This book not only inspired me to volunteer for our local UCP chapter from the ages of 12-18 (& later was employed by UCP in various capacities) but the Killilea's family's efforts to counter society's perceptions of disabled people affected me deeply. Their modelling, & my own experiences as a disabled person, are probably what has influenced me to change myself & my perceptions of my kid, rather than expect him to be "cured", "recovered", or pass as NT. I can also relate to the conversion experience from the perspective taking what I am learning about autism, both real-life learning & what I read, combining it with what I believe, & arriving at a way of thinking & living that is consistent with my ethical beliefs. It takes a lot of thinking & rethinking to do this- for example, being aware of the effect that "fighting" terminology has on us as humans & then intentionally deciding not to use these words & images & replacing them with something consistent with our beliefs. I think we are a happier family for being aware of these issues & trying to live with intention, rather than at the whims of the way society perceives autism. This is an interesting topic… & brings to mind is the tension between what a family expects of the object of all their efforts (their autistic family member) & what that family member may feel about these efforts. I will admit that I have stayed away from much of the “autism lit”, but I can relate to the classic theme of conversion. My archetype for this sort of family narrative is my favourite tween-years book, “Karen” by Marie Killilea, the story of a family raising a child with cerebral palsy in the 1940’s & 50’s. This book not only inspired me to volunteer for our local UCP chapter from the ages of 12-18 (& later was employed by UCP in various capacities) but the Killilea’s family’s efforts to counter society’s perceptions of disabled people affected me deeply. Their modelling, & my own experiences as a disabled person, are probably what has influenced me to change myself & my perceptions of my kid, rather than expect him to be “cured”, “recovered”, or pass as NT. I can also relate to the conversion experience from the perspective taking what I am learning about autism, both real-life learning & what I read, combining it with what I believe, & arriving at a way of thinking & living that is consistent with my ethical beliefs. It takes a lot of thinking & rethinking to do this- for example, being aware of the effect that “fighting” terminology has on us as humans & then intentionally deciding not to use these words & images & replacing them with something consistent with our beliefs. I think we are a happier family for being aware of these issues & trying to live with intention, rather than at the whims of the way society perceives autism.

]]> By: Gerard Petillo http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/comment-page-1/#comment-529789 Gerard Petillo Sat, 23 Dec 2006 23:59:33 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/#comment-529789 Personally, I think we struggle to understand and adapt. We overcome when we accept autism and accept that it is life long journey and do everything we can to make our loved ones reach their full potential. I see some parents that have not accepted it and are still struggling. Gerard Petillo Parents of A.N.G.E.L.S. Bronx N.Y. Personally, I think we struggle to understand and adapt. We overcome when we accept autism and accept that it is life long journey and do everything we can to make our loved ones reach their full potential.

I see some parents that have not accepted it and are still struggling.

Gerard Petillo
Parents of A.N.G.E.L.S.
Bronx N.Y.

]]> By: mcewen http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/comment-page-1/#comment-529784 mcewen Sat, 23 Dec 2006 22:21:14 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-conversion-narrative-in-autism-lit/#comment-529784 Sounds a bit formulaic when you put it like that. I'm certainly not keen on the 'how we struggled but overcame' genre, which seems prevalent, but perhaps that's because I'm biased against 'happy endings.' Cheers Sounds a bit formulaic when you put it like that. I’m certainly not keen on the ‘how we struggled but overcame’ genre, which seems prevalent, but perhaps that’s because I’m biased against ‘happy endings.’
Cheers

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