People Who Are Different Are Special… Like You

Fred Rogers, Extraordinary Friends, written in 2000.

“You are special.” That’s the comforting message from Mister Rogers. And by “special,” Fred Rogers does not mean empty praise merely to inflate egos. Each of us is unique in his or her special way. With this, it is apt that Mister Rogers would introduce readers to other children who are different from them, in that they have a disability. With his characteristic empathy, understanding, and honesty, he acknowledges that these people who look or act different can make on feel uneasy. Yet, after taking the time to get to know these people, they are also much like them: they have hobbies, favorite foods, and like to be with others. In that way, Mister Rogers neither puts these extraordinary friends on a pedestal (what many in the self-advocacy community refer to as “disability porn”), nor presents them as objects of pity. Before he starts his narrative, Rogers introduces us to six children. Three have disabilities (though he does not reveal what kind), and three do not. With each of the six children, Mister Rogers simply explains what they like to do and their favorite food. Throughout, Mister Rogers gives tips on etiquette, to ensure both parties are comfortable. In acknowledging differences as well as what we share in common, we are simply being real friends.

Although the book’s positive message merits five stars, the writing is better suited to having an adult read the book aloud to the child. The message, however, is very much geared to the child, told in Fred Rogers’s own wonderful way.

It is worth recalling that Fred Rogers’s affinity for children very much extended to those with disabilities. Quite a few of these children were guests on his show. These children never forget the kindness of Mister Rogers! One of the most beautiful moments was a very special reunion when he was inducted into the hall of fame. No more needs to be said about Fred Rogers and the reason so many people continue to adore this special man.

A Second Look at “Uniquely Human”

We feature many of our articles in “Celebrating Individual Abilities” on our new agency blog, which also contains announcements of Advancing Opportunities, along with brief items of disability news that are not sufficiently detailed for this blog. In addition, we reviewed Uniquely Human in this space last year. To see it again, with an update on Dr. Barry Prizant’s brief speech at the United Nations on World Autism Day, March 31, please check out the article on our newly rebuilt and much-improved website, as we continue our blog series on autism appreciation and awareness with a review of Dr. Prizant’s excellent book, “Uniquely Human.”

The Sesame Street Neighborhood Welcomes Julia

Meet Julia, the latest Muppet friend. The rest of the Sesame Street gang know that she’s amazing. She even has her own hashtag: #SeeAmazing

Sesame Street, introduced in 1969, is seen in more than 150 countries around the world. Always a champion of inclusion, the highly respected show on October 21, 2015, launched “Sesame Street and Autism.” This initiative has opened to considerable acclaim.

Its anthem,“The Amazing Song,” raises autism awareness and acceptance among its young audience. Christine Ferraro, who wrote the lyrics to the song, explains her connection to autism, in that she has a brother on the spectrum. This led her to feature siblings in the video and other instructional materials, to help these neurotypical children better cope with their situation. In welcoming their new friend, Julia – who happens to be autistic – the Sesame Street Muppets sing in unison, “Every kid is an original; we’re all one of a kind We’re all as different as can be, but in some important ways, we’re all the same – we can all be friends, because there’s so much we can share. We all have feelings We all need a friend who can understand.”

In a video to introduce the show, Julia explains, “lots of kids have autism”  And “that means their brains just work a little differently,” she continues.  She introduces us to her some of her human friends, like Nasaiah. His mom helps him learn how to play with other boys his age. A family helps a younger sister, Yesenia, with everyday self-care activities. Louie’s father talks about how his son made him “so much a better person, a better father.” Says a mom, “I just think he looks at the world in a very different way than we do. I don’t think it’s a bad way…. I think it’s amazing.”  According to Sesame Street executive Sherrie Wilson, “Families with autistic children tend to gravitate toward digital content, which is why we created Julia digitally.”

“Sesame Street and Autism. Family Time with Grover.” The beloved blue Muppet introduces us to Angie, who has a very special way with her two younger brothers. Although they are twins and both have autism, they are very different personalities. This is perhaps the best testament to the old adage, “When you have met one person with autism, you have met an autistic person.”

Frank Campagna, the writer of the respected blog “Autism Daddy”  is one of the video producers at Children’s Television Workshop. In his blog, he discusses how, after the birth of his severely autistic son, he sought ways in which to spread autism awareness through the award-winning children’ show.

ASAN, the Autism Self Advocacy Network, is also a partner. In a public statement, the organization proclaimed, “Sesame Street should be commended for reaching out to and focusing on the many voices of the autistic community… aimed at ending stigma and increasing understanding and inclusion of autistic children.”

“Sesame Street and Autism” offers a variety of resources, including:

• Daily routine cards to help nonverbal autistic children with their personal care
• An electronic story book, “We’re Amazing 1, 2, 3,” featuring Elmo and Abby and their friend Julia.  There’s also “Benny’s Story.”
• Tips for children on being a friend to a peer with autism
• A video, “Being a Supportive Parent.” 
• Advice on helping siblings understand a brother of sister with autism
• Assistance for parents prepare for outings
• How parents can explain autism to young children
• Ways in which parents who care for their autistic children can take good care of themselves as well
• Public awareness on what one should say to a parent of an autistic child.

Sunny Day
Sweepin’ the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet

Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street

Come and play
Everything’s A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That’s where we meet….

World Autism Awareness Month & World Autism Awareness Day: A Call for Advocacy and Understanding

     A ribbon made of multicolored puzzle pieces.  It has become one the most recognizable symbols of autism in the world.  The various colors reflect the many “faces” of autism, a condition often referred to as the autism spectrum (ASD) because no two people with autism are alike.  (The cognitive abilities of people with ASD range from nonverbal to intellectually brilliant.)  The ribbon symbolizes solidarity and hope of a happy, fulfilling life for people with autism.  The puzzle pieces remind us that the condition and the people with it are still very much a mystery.

 

     Autism Awareness Month first came to be about 25 years ago, when the Autism Society of America undertook an effort to promote autism awareness.  The primary objective was to “promote … inclusion and self-determination for all, and assure that each person with ASD is provided the opportunity to achieve the highest quality of life.”  This year, the Autism Society seeks to go beyond awareness and encourage the public to play an active role as advocates, to speak out for inclusion of people with autism in school and community, embracing acceptance and engaging in an appreciation of their talents and gifts and for what these children and adults are capable of.

In addition, April 2 is designated World Autism Awareness Day, as a result of a 2008 U.N. resolution (first proposed by Qatar).  An autism research and education organization, Autism Speaks, initiated the worldwide Light It Up Blue, campaign in its effort to raise autism awareness.   Among many in the autism community, both advocates and self-advocates, Autism Speaks is highly controversial, because that organization is seeking a cure, whereas many people prefer to see autism as simply another way of being, “different, not broken.”  These advocates and activists prefer the completed puzzle over the single puzzle piece that is a trademark of Autism Speaks.

An astonishing video from a television documentary has recently made the rounds via the social media.  It shows how a Carly, a teenage girl with autism, who grew up nonverbal, was finally to express her inner voice that had been captive for over a decade.  It proves how much there is inside children like her.  Her message would be one we should all listen to.

Early Signs of Autism
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease control, early signs of autism include the following, and early intervention is urged:

• Does not babble or coo by 12 months
• Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp) by 12 months
• Does not say single words by 16 months
• Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months
• Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age

World Autism Month is a call for all of us – and society at large – to understand and appreciate children and adults on the autism spectrum and, according to one blogger, to advocate for their parents as well.

Did You Know?

• In 2014, the U.S. Centers for Disease for Disease Control estimated the prevalence of autism as being 1 in 68 births.
• Autism comes from the Greek autos” meaning “self.”   Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1910 used the New Latin term autismus to describe schizophrenic symptoms of children; US psychiatrist Leo Kanner first used the term autism in 1943.
• Asperger’s syndrome is named after Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger, who in 1944 first described the symptoms in children he was observing.

Asperger’s syndrome is named for Hans Asperger, who was the first to describe the condition. He did not live to see this honor.