In Defense of Autism … Synopsis

The Open Road

Autism is not a handicap. It is a state of mind.

“In Defense of Autism” is about the right to be autistic.

“In Defense of Autism” is written with siblings, relatives, friends, and educators

of an autistic student, and the autistic student himself in mind.

Marc Segar wrote in his thoughts, “A Survival Guide for People with Asperger

Syndrome” the following noteworthy sentence: “The best key to overcoming autism is

understanding!”2 - by friends and family, by teachers, school sites, and, significantly, by

the student himself.

“In Defense of Autism” is to give autistic individuals with family and friends

around the world a strong voice. To give the autistic individuals their one basic right: the

right to be autistic.

How does “In Defense of Autism” distinguish itself from the volumes of other

books, articles, websites, blogs, etc? If there is an epidemic surrounding the issue of aut-

ism, then perhaps it is the volume of information accumulating every day. Much literature

is aimed at helping parents. And parents need all the help they can get! It would seem,

however, that little is written in defense of autism.

1
“the open road” northward bound to Dayton, Washington; from Dayton’s official webpage.
2
“A Survival Guide for People with Asperger Syndrome” Marc Segar, 1997 edition; compare also “Cali-
fornia Department of Developmental Services: Autistic Spectrum Disorders” www.dds.ca.gov.

©Francis Safaie-Brown, 12515 Caminito De La Gallarda, San Diego CA 92128;

francisbrown@yahoo.com
 In Defense of Autism … Synopsis

“In Defense of Autism” is therefore an attempt at increasing the significance of an

autistic person. It should be viewed as a looking-glass to enable everybody participating

in the lives of an autistic student to “see the world through a different lens, to think in

unique ways …”3

This is an attempt at encouraging all those in an autistic child’s life to assist, with

patience and persistence, the autistic child develop skills aimed at enabling him to be-

come his own advocate, to stand up for himself, and to share with others that he is autistic

without sounding apologetic.

“In Defense of Autism” is an attempt to encourage everybody in an autistic indi-

vidual’s life to constantly and regularly: - gain insight into current medical, neurological,

and psychological understanding of autism, as well as basic legal aspects of special edu-

cation and a school district’s special education educational framework; - understand the

standards and other testing requirements and how they apply to autism; - have insight into

the performance requirements and job descriptions for teachers in special education with

emphasis on autism as well as those for instructional assistants in special education with

emphasis on autism. All with a single and specific objective in mid: how best to be the

most effective advocate for the autistic son, or daughter, or friend in ones life!

3
Compare “Autistic Spectrum Disorders: an Interview with Author-Advocate Mitzi Waltz: the Spectrum of
Autistic Disorders” by Linda Lamb

©Francis Safaie-Brown, 12515 Caminito De La Gallarda, San Diego CA 92128;

francisbrown@yahoo.com