Reframing Autism: The Promise of Acceptance

Tony is an autism father who is also diagnosed with mild autism. He has shared his life affirming messages about autism through PBS programs, and as a TEDx speaker. In 1030’s America, a widely held belief, one accepted as the “best-practice” for human beings with cognitive differences, was that they should be systemically surrendered to state institutions for lifetime care. Although autism wasn’t an official diagnosis until 1980, through study and research we know that many of those institutionalized individuals were autistic. Good and loving parents participated in this “norm”, not because they were evil, they were just misinformed and terribly wrong. An Austrian American psychiatrist, doctor and social activist named Leo Kanner boldly challenged this practice in 1938. As the result, we have experienced a paradigm shift in our views toward institutionalization. The good that has come from this change is incalculable. Today, another paradigm shift awaits, one in clear view, yet rarely seen. One that promises astonishing change for better. Let’s talk about it. —- ISBN: 9798373828345 | ISBN10: B0BSDPXWZC | ISBN-13: 979-8373828345