Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Sunday, October 23, 2011
To Do
I've had a random idea/thought/question that I've been kicking around in the back if my head: How has the decline in the structure of our society affected the rise in the quantity of Autism diagnoses?
It was a stray thought that crossed my mind while reading the news a while back. I think it was a story about how we are loosing many of the skills that are associated with trade jobs, such as welding, furniture making, electrical, plumbing, etc. Granted, you can go to college and gain many of the skills associated with these fields, but why do that when you can achieve much of the same in an apprenticeship situation?
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, children grew up to do the same job or have the same occupation as their parents. If you father was a farmer, tailor, or blacksmith, odds were pretty high that you would be one too. The same goes for many of the industries and trades that are rapidly becoming obsolete in today's society. That assumption of role is no longer there. Now, there are many opportunities and most are encouraged to go out and make something of themselves without a knowledge of how or, the child is so insistent on being as different as the parent as possible that a different job is chosen. It's kind of like standing in the soap aisle at the grocery store . . . . how many kinds of soap do you see? Which would you rather do: buy a different soap every time or stick with the one you know? Most of us buy the same brand every time, its not only the familiar but also the one you know the most about. Our places in society are similar.
If you were born into a family of miners, where the father was a miner, the grandfather was a miner, the uncles were miners, even 50 years ago, there was an assumption that you would probably grow up to be a miner too. So that is what you have planned for your life, that is your comfort area. Well, then you grow up and suddenly you are told you can't be a miner, you have to be something else - anything else. What do you do? Do you try everything, some research and pick something else, or do nothing because there are just too many choices?
Let's switch directions a minute:
I grew up around animals: cats, dogs, pigs, horses, cows, goats, etc. I planned on continuing in that direction and being a vet or a vet assistant. It was logical, it just made sense. Then things changed and we didn't have any pets, and I was introduced into different opportunities and suddenly maybe I wanted to do something else . . . but what? Well, even now I don't know. I've tried a lot of things and I've done ok at most of them, but never excelled. Generally, I don't have a high opinion of my accomplishments because I look back and there aren't many of them. And I don't know how to fix that. I'm in the soap aisle and I don't know what to buy. Often I've wondered how my life would have been different if I had been born in a different age, one where there wasn't as many choices. Would I have been more successful, or would I have been more content with my life? I'm not certain and its a moot point, I must live this life.
Back on track:
So I wonder, is there an increase in Autism because there is more of it? Or, is it because as society is undergoing a period of destructuring and its more obvious? Do people with Autism stand out in society more because they are no longer expected to follow the footsteps of their forefathers and the struggle to finding their own path is more obvious?
If you've got an idea or theory, let me know!
It was a stray thought that crossed my mind while reading the news a while back. I think it was a story about how we are loosing many of the skills that are associated with trade jobs, such as welding, furniture making, electrical, plumbing, etc. Granted, you can go to college and gain many of the skills associated with these fields, but why do that when you can achieve much of the same in an apprenticeship situation?
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, children grew up to do the same job or have the same occupation as their parents. If you father was a farmer, tailor, or blacksmith, odds were pretty high that you would be one too. The same goes for many of the industries and trades that are rapidly becoming obsolete in today's society. That assumption of role is no longer there. Now, there are many opportunities and most are encouraged to go out and make something of themselves without a knowledge of how or, the child is so insistent on being as different as the parent as possible that a different job is chosen. It's kind of like standing in the soap aisle at the grocery store . . . . how many kinds of soap do you see? Which would you rather do: buy a different soap every time or stick with the one you know? Most of us buy the same brand every time, its not only the familiar but also the one you know the most about. Our places in society are similar.
If you were born into a family of miners, where the father was a miner, the grandfather was a miner, the uncles were miners, even 50 years ago, there was an assumption that you would probably grow up to be a miner too. So that is what you have planned for your life, that is your comfort area. Well, then you grow up and suddenly you are told you can't be a miner, you have to be something else - anything else. What do you do? Do you try everything, some research and pick something else, or do nothing because there are just too many choices?
Let's switch directions a minute:
I grew up around animals: cats, dogs, pigs, horses, cows, goats, etc. I planned on continuing in that direction and being a vet or a vet assistant. It was logical, it just made sense. Then things changed and we didn't have any pets, and I was introduced into different opportunities and suddenly maybe I wanted to do something else . . . but what? Well, even now I don't know. I've tried a lot of things and I've done ok at most of them, but never excelled. Generally, I don't have a high opinion of my accomplishments because I look back and there aren't many of them. And I don't know how to fix that. I'm in the soap aisle and I don't know what to buy. Often I've wondered how my life would have been different if I had been born in a different age, one where there wasn't as many choices. Would I have been more successful, or would I have been more content with my life? I'm not certain and its a moot point, I must live this life.
Back on track:
So I wonder, is there an increase in Autism because there is more of it? Or, is it because as society is undergoing a period of destructuring and its more obvious? Do people with Autism stand out in society more because they are no longer expected to follow the footsteps of their forefathers and the struggle to finding their own path is more obvious?
If you've got an idea or theory, let me know!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Oops :)
So I had this grand plan to write something every week. Telling the world my aimless thoughts and forcing others to hear my rants - and raves. You will note the past tense in the first sentence. Would you believe that summer finally came to north Idaho and I just wanted to go out and enjoy it with friends and family? Shocker right, spend time with live people instead of being plugged into the internet. What a novel idea! ;)
What changed? Well summer has officially ended, although the thermostat outside argued otherwise. School is back in session, the days are shorter, and most of the farm critters are mellow with fat of summer. The little black goats aren't so little and have a date with a butcher I know. The chickens are snuggled up on the back step, waiting patiently for their corner of the barn to be finished. The llamas are still pregnant - it's been 11 months, shouldn't there be crias by now?!? I guess there wasn't a guarantee on the pregnancy part, but definitely a hope. We added 3 new goats today: Harry (Dresden), Curly, & Feta. Yes, feta is sheep cheese, but it all works. Feta has a future in the world of fatherhood; he may only be 3 months old but I think he knows what to do. The rest of the motley gang will be coming down off of the hill within the next few weeks. It'll be nice to have all of the goats home!
Home life is well. Don is still bossy and I'm still selling. Jesse is a Junior this year - where did the time go?!? He starts Driver's Ed on Tuesday. I'm trying not to panic. We've got extra family in house. This means I'm not the only one doing dishes or fixing dinner. Thank you!!
The busy summer is fading into a comfortable fall, my favorite time of the year. I'm looking forward to the fall colors and the comfort of a warm fire. I'm restating my goal: to post more often. We'll just have to see won't we!
What changed? Well summer has officially ended, although the thermostat outside argued otherwise. School is back in session, the days are shorter, and most of the farm critters are mellow with fat of summer. The little black goats aren't so little and have a date with a butcher I know. The chickens are snuggled up on the back step, waiting patiently for their corner of the barn to be finished. The llamas are still pregnant - it's been 11 months, shouldn't there be crias by now?!? I guess there wasn't a guarantee on the pregnancy part, but definitely a hope. We added 3 new goats today: Harry (Dresden), Curly, & Feta. Yes, feta is sheep cheese, but it all works. Feta has a future in the world of fatherhood; he may only be 3 months old but I think he knows what to do. The rest of the motley gang will be coming down off of the hill within the next few weeks. It'll be nice to have all of the goats home!
Home life is well. Don is still bossy and I'm still selling. Jesse is a Junior this year - where did the time go?!? He starts Driver's Ed on Tuesday. I'm trying not to panic. We've got extra family in house. This means I'm not the only one doing dishes or fixing dinner. Thank you!!
The busy summer is fading into a comfortable fall, my favorite time of the year. I'm looking forward to the fall colors and the comfort of a warm fire. I'm restating my goal: to post more often. We'll just have to see won't we!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
A genetic link for Autism?
There was an article/commentary with Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/06/09/dr-manny-says-autism-breakthrough-is-realfor-now/)today regarding the relationship between Autism and genetics. It was a commentary on an article that can be read here: http://technorati.com/women/article/autism-more-complex-than-we-thought/.
It seems like the scientists are agreeing with my opinion of the origins of Autism. I think (and I'm not in the medical profession) that many of those diagnosed with ASD have a genetic link to it. In my family, Autism has been lurking in the background for about 5 generations. So when people were blaming vaccinations for causing Autism I did a lot of mental eye rolling. I'm pretty certain that my great-grandfather didn't have a lot of vaccinations back when he was a baby in the late 1800's.
I also think (remember no medical background) that for many, there needs to be a trigger to cause Autism to develop. This trigger could be medical, psychological, traumatic, etc. So basically, just because your family has a genetic pre-disposition to Autism Spectrum Disorders, doesn't mean that you will develop it. Which, I think, is why a family with 3 children might have only one child on the spectrum and the other two are neurotypical. Or the reverse could be true: one neurotypical child and two on the spectrum.
I suppose that my opinions regarding the causes of ASD are why I get so irritated with people saying that they've "cured" their child of Autism. There isn't a cure. Just like you can't cure someone of diabetes (yet!), Autism isn't a curable affliction. I think that a person can be taught to overcome it using any combination of therapies and/or medications. People adapt. That's why when someone is diagnosed with Type II Diabetes they can overcome it with a combination of diet and exercise. Even when the blood sugars are being kept at manageable levels, you don't go on a sugar and carb binge. The diagnosis of diabetes is still there. You've just learned how to manage it.
I guess that I'm saying that I'm thrilled when studies like those referenced in the first paragraph come out, I feel vindicated in my opinions. I like being right. But regardless of how I feel about any research, I'm glad that there are people out there who are trying to find a cause (and yes a cure) because then I know that someday Autism will be conquered. Just like cancer and diabetes will someday become footnotes in medical history and not a topic that we discuss regularly with our doctors.
It seems like the scientists are agreeing with my opinion of the origins of Autism. I think (and I'm not in the medical profession) that many of those diagnosed with ASD have a genetic link to it. In my family, Autism has been lurking in the background for about 5 generations. So when people were blaming vaccinations for causing Autism I did a lot of mental eye rolling. I'm pretty certain that my great-grandfather didn't have a lot of vaccinations back when he was a baby in the late 1800's.
I also think (remember no medical background) that for many, there needs to be a trigger to cause Autism to develop. This trigger could be medical, psychological, traumatic, etc. So basically, just because your family has a genetic pre-disposition to Autism Spectrum Disorders, doesn't mean that you will develop it. Which, I think, is why a family with 3 children might have only one child on the spectrum and the other two are neurotypical. Or the reverse could be true: one neurotypical child and two on the spectrum.
I suppose that my opinions regarding the causes of ASD are why I get so irritated with people saying that they've "cured" their child of Autism. There isn't a cure. Just like you can't cure someone of diabetes (yet!), Autism isn't a curable affliction. I think that a person can be taught to overcome it using any combination of therapies and/or medications. People adapt. That's why when someone is diagnosed with Type II Diabetes they can overcome it with a combination of diet and exercise. Even when the blood sugars are being kept at manageable levels, you don't go on a sugar and carb binge. The diagnosis of diabetes is still there. You've just learned how to manage it.
I guess that I'm saying that I'm thrilled when studies like those referenced in the first paragraph come out, I feel vindicated in my opinions. I like being right. But regardless of how I feel about any research, I'm glad that there are people out there who are trying to find a cause (and yes a cure) because then I know that someday Autism will be conquered. Just like cancer and diabetes will someday become footnotes in medical history and not a topic that we discuss regularly with our doctors.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
As the sun sets on a rare sunny day, I'm taking a moment to reflect on what Memorial Day means to me.
The ticking of the mantel clock reminds me of Grandma’s house, the afternoons spent with family playing scrabble and card games. I miss my family.
The voices of the children playing outside down the road, laughing enjoyment of childhood innocence. I’m grateful for my son.
The sound of passing cars on the highway, rushing from one point to another, rarely pausing to see what is in between. I am content in my own home.
The quiet snores of my husband and my son. I love them both.
The sleepy sounds of the birds in the trees and the evening breeze as it sighs through the leaves. I enjoy my peace.
The companionship of the dogs at my feet and the cat by my side. Their unwavering acceptance is a balm to my soul.
The joy of friends, near and far. I am honored by their friendship.
The freedom to choose the path I am upon. Thank you to those that have sacrificed so that I might have that freedom.
Thank you to those who have stepped forward to defend our ideals, our rights, and our freedoms. May you find the peace that you have earned, the joy that you deserve, and the steadfast loyalty of those that stay behind.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The rising diagnosis rate.
Did you watch this story on CNN? How many of today's parents would disagree with the numbers that are being discussed?? None of the ones I know! What do you think: Are there more children being diagnosed with Autism or ADHD or other learning disabilities?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Children's Redesign (Medicaid)
Coeur d'Alene:
June 1st 6:00-8:00 pm
1120 Ironwood Drive
Large Conference Room
So, on Wednesday, June 1st we are supposed to put our busy lives on hold and go to this meeting. Which, I've got to say is one of the more inconvenient times I've heard of to go to a training class. It's in the middle of the week and late enough in the day that child care will be needed. Great, so who's providing that? Also, What about those of us that don't live IN Coeur d'Alene? I live in the Sandpoint area. For me to go to this meeting, I need to leave directly after work, eat dinner on the run, sit in a meeting - attentively, and then drive home. It will be almost 10pm before I'm home . . .and I still have to do the MOM stuff before bedtime. Its an informative meeting, and I need to be there. I got it. So why isn't the state doing it webinar style? It's not hard and there are quite a few classrooms and meeting rooms in our area that are set up for video conferencing.
I'm just grumpy about it I suppose. As an individual with Autism, I DON'T like change. What was so wrong with the way Medicaid was working? Are these changes supposed to SAVE money? Already I know that my son will be losing his Service Coordinator. I'm not happy about it, but we already kind of know what services are out there. But what about the new parents? Or the families that are just moving into the area? They don't know what's out there or even who to ask. We have to force most of the schools in our area to even admit that our children MIGHT have a special need that requires Special Education, let alone have them volunteer info. (Yes, I know that there are many schools out there that do volunteer info. Unfortunately you are the exception, not the rule - but that just means you are exceptional and that's why we like you.)
The Redesign project is the primary reason that I started the Autism in North Idaho website (http://autismnorthidaho.weebly.com/index.html). I'm hoping that I can fit enough information in it - in a way that makes sense - that it will help the new families and re-energize those of us that have been in the trenches so long that we've taken up housekeeping. I can't even think of the number of times the thought "If I knew then what I know now" has crossed my mind. There is no reason we should have to reinvent the wheel.
I don't know even a fraction of the organizations that are out there to support people with special needs. So, I hope that if you know of an organization or if you are part of one, that needs to be on my web, please let me know. Email is good or go to the website and fill in the form.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)