Being an Aspie ...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s remarks in a news conference Wednesday have sparked an outraged reaction among many autistic people and their families.Credit...Pete Kiehart for The New York Times

Being an Aspie causes yours truly to look at the world differently. Not better, not worse, just differently. Though not far along on the Autistic spectrum, the remarks from a know nothing like RFK Jr. regarding a genetic condition is insulting as folks like me have held jobs, done creative stuff and have had a positive impact on society without question. Most of the great artists and scientists were Aspies like Turing, Mozart, Dylan and Michangelo along with Jobs, Musk and Einstein which means I'm in good company and ... it's not preventable. Parents have a right to be pissed and so do I but what do you expect from an administration from hell where the only qualification to serve in Trump world is kiss his ass 24/7. 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s remarks this week that autism “destroys” children have prompted outrage among many autistic people, who said they had done things Mr. Kennedy claimed were impossible, like hold a job, write a poem, play baseball and go on dates. They added that the lives of people who did need help performing daily activities were still worthy of respect.

“Autism doesn’t destroy families. It’s the ableism that does,” said Tyla Grant, who was diagnosed with autism at 17. She called Mr. Kennedy’s comments “fear-mongering” and said his “rhetoric flattens our existence into this outdated stereotype.”

Mr. Kennedy made his remarks at a news conference on Wednesday discussing new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed autism diagnoses among children in the United States have continued to rise. Though the increase is largely thought to be driven by broadened criteria and increased awareness, Mr. Kennedy falsely declared that autism was preventable and called the situation an epidemic.

“These are kids who will never pay taxes,” he said, adding, “Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted.”

Ms. Grant, 27, said that Mr. Kennedy’s remarks “just bring to light what we all know, that we live in a world that still struggles to treat autistic people with basic decency — especially when we need support.”

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes difficulties with social interaction and communication. Because it encompasses a broad array of traits that can vary in how much they affect a person’s life, it is often described as occurring on a spectrum.

Some autistic people need extensive support in everyday life. Many others live independently, with demanding jobs and active social lives. And many fall in between, having trouble navigating some tasks and interactions but managing well with accommodations.

I was lucky, it took me years to learn to work with people and I can honestly say I've gotten pretty good at it. :) For others, Autism can be a tragic and intense life-changing situation for parents to deal with.

Students and families walk to support Autism Awareness Month.