Politically Correct Words for Addressing Autism
Stark.raving.mad.mommy. is a blogger with panache, who just happens to be a mother of an autistic child. She has tackled the quintessential “faux pas” that people spit out when referring to autistic children. Her thoughts are illuminated in Top Ten Things You Should (and Shouldn’t) say to the Parents of an Autistic Child.
Parents who “get it” might burst into unanimous applause; we all have our own story.
When my non-verbal five year old boy was running in circles on a neighbor’s driveway, with a big smile on his face, the woman shook her head “Tsk tsk…there but for the grace of G-d go I…”
I fought back tears as I scooped up my kid, like trying to harness jello. He slithered and slid out of my arms as I dove for him again. Finally, as I snapped the buckle into the car seat…I found myself mumbling. Putting the key in the ignition, revving the motor, the words began to collect in my heart, before they hit my brain. I shouted silently at my ignorant neighbor; partly because in my fantasy, my boy might have understood the words.
“Are you saying better you than me?” I wanted to roar. And maybe, through her ignorance, she may have been right. Perhaps it was the grace of G-d that blessed me with this fine boy.
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