Michael! Michael! Michael!
What could he possibly be thinking? There will obviously be a deluge of letters and op-ed pieces in local newspapers about the comments made concerning children with autism but I am concerned about what those comments really mean. It is important for people to understand that children with autism have a diagnosed disorder so unless neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrists and speech language pathologists cannot differentiate between “brats” and children with disabilities, the comment shows a great deal of ignorance. The process of diagnosis and identification is a complex one. Educational teams within the school system require input from professionals and parents. Teams are also required to review multiple assessments so that diagnosis is not based on a single evaluation. My question is, why would any parent want to diagnose her child with a developmental disability? What would be the educational or emotional gain for a parent to have her child diagnosed with autism? The very premise that a child with autism is “bratty” is ridiculous.
It is important to know that most parents when they proceed through the process of early diagnosis fight with the reality of having a child with a disability. To suggest that parents knowingly and willingly opt for the diagnosis of disability rather than recognizing the fact that their children are oppositional is far from the truth. In all of my years of clinical experience, I have never met a family who either willingly or happily accepted the label of autism. Parents grieve about the recognition and the reality of having a child with a disability. Parents come to recognize that many of their dreams and expectations for their children are shattered with this diagnosis. Every parent can understand how difficult this experience is and how painful the reality is for parents who have children with disabilities.
Children with autism are not “withholding.” They are not aware of the consequences of their behavior when they react with a great deal of anxiety to new situations. Transitions from school to home, from home to the supermarket and from the supermarket to a restaurant can be very difficult for children and parents. Often these transitions result in the child with autism having a temper tantrum because he is confused and anxious. What do normal children do when they are confused and anxious? They express their feelings! Children do the best they can with the abilities that they have.
To say that any child is a “brat” suggests either poor parenting or oppositional behavior in children. Parents of children with disabilities work very hard to tailor their parenting skills to the needs of their children. Children with autism are not deliberately or voluntarily or knowingly exhibiting “bratty” behavior. It is not helpful for any media talk show host to make broad sweeping negative comments about any group of individuals, let alone children and especially children with disabilities. They cannot argue back!
Michael Savage needs to act responsibly and rather than just apologizing to the American public and particularly parents of children with autism, needs to discuss this issue with experts on his show. Discussion within an open forum will provide listeners with a great deal of information about children with autism and the daily problems faced by their parents. The child with a disability requires a lifelong commitment from parents. Whereas parents of normal children have the luxury of “waving to them” when they go off to college or when they get married, parents of children with autism must follow and guide their children for as long as they live.
Ellenmorris Tiegerman, Ph.D.
Founder and Executive Director
School for Language and
Communication Development
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