Within the extensive and diverse range of developmental disorders, ‘autism’ serves as a collective term. These disorders vary significantly from one individual to another, making it a difficult aspect to navigate, especially for those like Tyler Bunty. Bunty, who hails from Hanover, found himself labeled a ‘problem child’ due to his parents’ reactions to his undiagnosed condition. Aged 10 when finally diagnosed, Bunty discovered a sense of liberation as this allowed him to comprehend his condition and receive adequate support.
Recent controversial statements about autism from U.S. Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sadly, undermine this liberating perspective on autism. Kennedy’s ill-informed views have generated substantial resentment among Bunty and other individuals impacted directly or indirectly by autism spectrum disorders.
Pennsylvania’s York College will soon have Stacy Kunkel’s 24-year-old son among its alumni. In response to Kennedy’s misguided comments, she took to social media to express her dissatisfaction. Kunkel contested Kennedy’s unfounded assertions that a majority of autistic individuals were unable to hold full-time positions or contribute to the nation’s finances.
Kunkel strongly condemned Kennedy’s depiction of autism scenarios, calling it out as a ploy to spread fear under the veil of empathy. On a similar note, Julie Rasmuson, president of Autism York and mother to an autistic child, felt Kennedy’s statements grossly overlooked the diverse nature and complexities of autism spectrum disorders.
Throughout his career, Kennedy strove to establish a connection between vaccinations and autism, a claim debunked by medical science. His recent comment, made during Autism Awareness Month, again missed the multifaceted nature of this condition. The National Institute of Mental Health identifies autism spectrum disorder as a collection of complex neurological conditions that emerge during developmental stages.
Starting from 2013, the American Psychiatric Association reclassified various conditions, including Asperger’s syndrome, as subtypes of autism, expanding the previous understanding of this disorder. Doctors and medical professionals have gradually broadened their definition of autism, reflecting its complexity. Autism does not have any associated biological or blood tests, its diagnosis leverages behavioral evaluations.
A range of theories have been explored in the quest to understand the causes of autism, ranging from genetic predisposition, paternal age, maternal weight, to environmental factors. Kunkel, in her personal experience, has seen her son flourish with the help of tailored programs that supported his maturation into adulthood.
Kunkel’s son, a former Central York student, greatly benefitted from individualised support during his early educational years. However, Bunty pointed out the economic struggles many individuals with autism face, notably losing benefits and insurance coverage, circumstances he has personally encountered.
Kennedy’s words strike a difficult chord with Bunty and Kunkel, evoking images of historical prejudice experienced by people with autism. The infamous Nazi regime, in particular, displayed extreme hostility and discrimination against people with mental and physical disabilities.
Disturbing historical records from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust reveal that between 1933 and 1939, around 360,000 individuals were coerced into sterilization programs. The aftermath of World War II brought the horrifying realization that approximately 250,000 disabled persons fell victim to the Nazi regime’s heinous actions.
Kennedy’s misguided comments have the potential to instill a sense of inadequacy in those with autism, warned Kunkel. In her view, those who heard Kennedy may begin to doubt their worth, which is far from the truth.
Rasmuson’s son, like many others, felt angered by Kennedy’s comments. In spite of these trials, Rasmuson, her family, and Autism York are committed to taking each day as it comes.
Rasmuson emphasizes the importance of continuing to choose love, support, and understanding as the wiser response to such challenges. She insists that recognizing and respecting disabilities in all forms is an area where society needs to drastically improve.
The post Autism Spectrum Disorders: Misconstrued Perspectives & the Struggle for Acceptance appeared first on Real News Now.
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