The elephant in the room. The vulnerability of autistics.

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Stoek, I believe I'm following your concept now.

One thing that can and should be done is for more individuals on the spectrum to go out and contact the local elected officials. I can't recall how many times I've read statements placeing all of the horrors of the world on indifferent governments, companies, or schools, and yet there is no recognition of the possible positive influence that reaching out to elected officials and explaining our side of the story.

Last week, ASAN was able to obtain a speaking role at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's hearings on Autism. Yes, the meeting turned into an extended rant on mercury and vaccines, but the fact of the matter is, that ASAN was able to obtain a speaking role on short notice. ASAN followed this up with an intereview on C-Span on December 1st. These events barely got a mention here on WP or AFF.

I'm not entirely sure how the system works up in Canada, or in the UK. I do know that blaming indifferent governments is easy, and it's scary reaching out to politicans, but ASAN has shown that it can be successfully done.

I think what your missing is the conflicting interests.

We have some folk who are unable to function in day to day life who need support.

At the same time we have people saying were facing unjust discrimination as were functionally equal.

You gotta understand the complicated mess were under.

This might seem like an abstract thing but it is a real issue.

The government doesnt have an unlimited amount of money.

Asking for money from government will mean diverting it from somewhere else.

Disability funds, special education, welfare, employment support programs can all fall under different wings of government.

On the one end the HFAs would benefit from using a logical argument with government. If you help this group of people it will pay off keeping these people off government services.

At the other extreme, non verbals, would benefit from the tear jerker humane side. Saying their of highest priority group.

Were not the only people who need assistance, taking from one will hurt the other.

Well, I wouldn't say learning to change and adapt is a bad thing either. Doing so has helped me a great deal. But it helps a lot to be accepted first, rather than people just insisting that we should change to suit them before we'll even be considered "acceptable."

I mean, who responds well to insistence that they change when that's the first thing people want? It works a whole lot better when people accept each other the way they are first. When that's done, people feel appreciated, and tend to change to please each other. Even aspies do!

Stoek, what type of public spending/action are you suggesting in relation to those diagnosed as adults?

While I am challenged in many ways - I have been fortunate to be gifted in others, which for me has allowed me to pursue a very satisfying career in engineering. I see autism as a double edged sword.

I would hope that future approach to supporting those on the autism spectrum would center around providing a comforting environment while helping those with autism/aspergers to develop their talents and use them to the benefit of society.

Look at Einstein, Newton, Jefferson, Da Vinci...all are considered to have possibly been autistic.

I'm a glass half full kind of person so I tend to see the possibilities rather than the potential downfalls...