Autism, Consciousness and Cardboard Boxes …
Jul 30, 2017 06:48PM ● By Annette Briggs (Owner/Publisher)
What do actors Dan Aykroyd and Daryl Hannah, and former American Idol contestant James Durbin and former Miss Montana Alexis Wineman have in common? They all have been diagnosed with autism, a largely unknown and elusive condition that is very difficult to understand or even define. One of the best definitions I’ve come across is “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex brain development disorders characterized, in varying degrees, by verbal and nonverbal communication, difficulties in social interaction and repetitive behaviors.” Moreover, there is much debate and many conflicting views revolving around the subject of autism.
Even so, the tangible impact is real, and the number of individuals and families affected by autism continues to climb precipitously. In fact, nationally it is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability. According to statistics, approximately 100 individuals are diagnosed with autism every day in the U.S., with boys nearly five times more likely to be diagnosed with it than girls. A new government survey of parents suggests that 1 in 45 children ages 3 through 17 have been diagnosed with ASD. The economic impact is tangible as well. Autism costs the nation more than $238 billion per year—a figure expected to continue to steadily rise. And, unfortunately, there is no current medical detection or cure for autism. A future cure is needed; however, the need for better comprehension, more compassion and objectivity is in high demand right now.
Hidden behind these stats and figures are the names and faces of individuals, families, caregivers, and even educators that dive deep into the mind-shaping reality of autism in all its many forms. These people work hard each and every day to mine the intellectual riches, boundless creativity and unique cognitive beauty from deep within the autistic mind. There are still challenges to be sure. In a world governed by socially accepted norms and standardized processes, many autistic individuals find it very hard to simply just “fit in” and be accepted, which can, unfortunately, result in poor self-esteem and behavioral challenges.
Autistic individuals are not strange—just different. American professor Temple Grandin stated: “The most interesting people you’ll find are ones that don’t fit into your average cardboard box. They’ll make what they need … they’ll make their own boxes.” When reflecting on autism, former Hollywood acting coach and founder and president of The Miracle Project—a creative arts project for autism students in Los Angeles—Elaine Hall, observed: “It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village.”
It could be said that individuals with autism raise our collective consciousness for good by making uniquely crafted cardboard boxes of life and thinking—to our benefit and discovery. In fact, some of the most amazing people to have walked the face of the Earth, making some of the most significant social and intellectual contributions this world has known, are widely believed to have had some form of autism—more specifically, a particular form called Asperger syndrome. The list includes such esteemed individuals as Isaac Asimov, Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain.
While the world awaits more research and treatment breakthroughs, let’s focus on learning how to love, accept and support those with autism and the beautiful “cardboard boxes” of unique personality and diverse learning they bring into the world as mosaic gifts of discovery for us all.
Consciousness raised,
