I know I've written about this before, but for me it's a very important point that cannot be discussed often enough. It's one of those topics that makes a real distinction be known between parents of autistic children and autistic children themselves. It's the topic of 'name-giving', 'definition' and so on.

On an online forum there has been several debates, finally emerging into a thread of its own whether or not one should say 'person with autism' or 'autistic'. It seems to be that the parents are all for the first, while the afflicted themselves prefer the latter.

Instead of trying to arrange the thoughts in my heads, I'd like to refer to the words of Jim Sinclair, which I was just recently made aware of through Coming out Asperger - Diagnosis, Disclosure and Self-Confidence (and if you haven't already, you should pick up a copy). At the same time, it makes me happy to see that he uses the argumentative style as I've done previously, in "Thoughts on words" and online elsewhere, where I've argued that I am, for instance, "a photographer" and not simply "someone who takes pictures".

This and That - nothing much to update about

If you are a recurring guest here, in my blog, you might have noticed the stat counter I've places on the right hand side. It's interesting, in a way - the first few days after I added it, the number of visits was to be expected; a few each day. But, after I merged this blog with my other one and changed the name on my profile, or, "stopped hiding", it's gotten quite a few unique hits as well as recurring visitors. The blog also gets quite a few page reloads - and I can say, not all of them are mine...

The question remains as to why.

* I haven't written any new posts since last Wednesday.

* The last post wasn't a comment to any news article about going-ons in the autistic society - it was on Autistic Pride Day, and a short one at that.

* I don't advertise for this blog anywhere. It's linked to from a couple of profiles on a few message boards, but I doubt that's where the traffic is coming from.

* I haven't posted a comment anywhere, linking to it.

If you're one of these visitors (which you must be since you're reading this right now), please indulge me and tell me how you found me. Do you follow me on a regular basis?


In other news, there are no other news. Life is slowly going by and nothing much happens. We (my husband and I) attended a wedding last Saturday. I'd been a bit anxious about the dinner and party due to social issues. They pretty much came true - I had a hard time "small talking" when my husband wasn't there (he had a flu and came and left the room "as it pleased" him - bless him, he wasn't feeling good), but that was to be expected. My initial problems making social is when no one initiates it. I can small talk, but only if someone talks to me first. The conversations usually die down pretty fast, as they did on Saturday; someone asks me how long I've known the bride, we talk a bit about that. Then they ask what I study in uni, I tell them. And then it goes silent. I have no idea how to ask something back. They usually leave at that point. I don't blame them.

At Aspies for Freedom, there is a new thread on recommendations of books on autism. So far non-fiction books were recommended, but today when I checked the thread, someone had recommended The Speed of Dark, which is a sci-fi book set somewhere in the future where a cure for autism has been found. It can only be used on babies, but a cure for adults are about to be found, and the main character is given the opportunity to take it. I've added it to my wishlist there as I am in desperate need for something to read and because it sounds very, very interesting. And, since I'm rude and all that, here is a link to my wishlist. If nothing else, I have a wide range of autism books on there - maybe you'll find something you want to read. Although the book is no longer on my wish list (since I got it), I can highly recommend Unstrange Minds - Remapping the World of Autism. It offers a "history" of autism - from when it was first "discovered" by Kanner and Asperger, how it was viewed as a form of schizophrenia, how autistics were treated, but also a good insight into how a few selected countries view autism today. It also explains why there is no "autism epidemic". A good read. Get it today.

Petition against Autism Speaks

I think this is pretty much all over the autie-friendly sites in English, but if you haven't seen it yet, here is a petition against Autism Speaks. Unfortunately, it can only be signed once per IP.

Parents vs. kids, or, parents vs. adult autistics

Again, I'm sorry for not updating as often as I, perhaps, once did - Life has gotten in the way.

I'm about to wander into a topic I'm not too keen on blogging about - because it can be hurtful. I'll keep it brief, and to the point. This post is not so much a discussion as it is for information.

I once read a brilliant line; what happens to the autistic kid when he turns 18? Is he magically cured, or... does he die? You see, autistic adults exist, and there will "be" more of us in a very short time due to the increase in diagnosises made, which again is due to a better understanding about autism. This means that the society will have to "get used to" us in a different way than what has been the norm up until now. Of course, there has always been autistic adults (and I'm not just thinking about those categorized as 'low-functioning), but now we're getting more and more visible (think something along the lines of the "we're here, we're queer, get used to it"-mentality).

This brings up an interesting discussions, and possibly, problems. Parents of autistic kids are more than aware that their kids are growing up - but, what happens once they're adults? Will they be able to care for themselves? Get a job, get married, and have a family of their own? I believe many will - many already does.

I'm as lucky that I've gotten in touch with several parents over the last couple of months. Firstly, parents at www.autismesiden.no's message board. Later, at Asperger Rogaland. The latter is a 'real-life' group of parents of kids from the age of 9-17 (I think). I've only met them twice, but it's been nice meetings both time, with interesting discussion and a whole lot of epiphanies (at least for me). It seems that I'm not the only one learning and discovering things about myself and autism, but that I can help them, as well.

At the last meeting, Ivar came along as well, and he brought his mother. I hope they both will be regulars from now on.

Talking about that - Ivar and I are hoping to now form a regular group of youth and adults around here. We have out first gathering next Friday. If you're reading this, and is from the area around Stavanger, please check out MeetUp and our Google Group.

Another comparisson

Currently in Feminist Theory-lecture, which I've mentioned previously.

"It is said that Muslim Women are suppressed. Yet, no one asks them how they feel. It's a given that they are. However, some Norwegian Women have spoken freely and loudly that they are indeed not suppressed."

"They cannot represent themselves, they must be represented" (Marx, 1853)

I guess you're all see where I'm going here...

We need to step up our game.

Not just

A, but not-just-A.

Woman, but not just a woman.

Autistic, but not just autistic.

But-just-Autistic when it comes to activism.