Catholic Info

Traditional Catholic Faith => General Discussion => Topic started by: chichi is my cat on July 21, 2011, 08:56:58 PM

Title: Autism
Post by: chichi is my cat on July 21, 2011, 08:56:58 PM
Do autistic people get vocations?  
Title: Autism
Post by: Rosarium on July 23, 2011, 10:32:30 AM
Yes.

God does not judge us on our innate social abilities, but one what we choose.
Title: Autism
Post by: TKGS on July 23, 2011, 10:40:21 AM
At the risk of starting a firestorm, I don't think there really is such a medical condition of "autism".

I have listened to so many parents in the community talk of their autistic children when it seems abundantly clear that their children act just like any rambunctious child. It seems that virtually any undesired behavioral issue in children is diagnosed as either ADHD or autism.

Look up "autism" in the dictionary: 1. (psychiatry) an abnormal absorption with the self; marked by communication disorders and short attention span and inability to treat others as people.

There's not a physical cause to this, but the doctors, nonetheless, pump millions of dollars in drugs into those individuals they have thus labeled.

What causes a child to have an "abnormal absorption of self", a "short attention span", and an "inability to treat others as people"? In the vast majority of cases, I submit that it is the way the children are raised--without God, by substitute parents in daycare, and indulged with every modern convenience and toy known to man. The fact that virtually 100% of American children are NOT diagnosed with autism is actually remarkable. For the most part, modern autism is a spiritual problem, not a psychiatric or medical problem. In fact, autism should be celebrated by modern liberals as complete success in instilling self-esteem.

Autism has just become, for the most part, another excuse for misbehavior and another "handicap" (I'm not even sure I'm allowed to use that word anymore) that must be accommodated by special preferences. In those very few cases in which autism is seemingly accurately diagnosed in babies, the doctors are either quacks or there really is something medically wrong but, not having any idea as to the cause or cure, the doctors simply slap on this new label which follows the child for life.

Thus, with true conversion, and very hard work that will likely continue to the very end of life, "autistic people" certainly are called by God to vocations.

I've read a few modern commentaries on some saints in which the modern authors claim that many were, in fact, "suffering" from autism, ADHD, and other psychiatric problems that would, today, be "resolved" with drugs. Somehow, the saints overcame their problems with prayer, fasting, and service to the Lord. I don't know any of them in which all that came easy, but that's why we recognize them as saints today--they overcame their problems in "getting along with people" by devoting their entire selves to others and to God.
Title: Autism
Post by: Miss_Fluffy on July 23, 2011, 11:15:50 AM
TKGS,

You've obviously never spent time with a severely autistic child.  Autism really is a matter of the brain not working right.  Environmental factors seem to be making it more common.  I do agree though, that many children are labeled as autistic when they really only have a mild form that may not even be related to the orginal disease.

I cared for an autistic child who was literally pschotic.  I mean, stark raving mad, smearing poop on himself at 6 years old etc...  To say that this kid is just selfish and raised to be that way... no, sorry... wrong!
Title: Autism
Post by: momofmany on July 23, 2011, 11:56:43 AM
Quote from: TKGS
At the risk of starting a firestorm, I don't think there really is such a medical condition of "autism".


Think what you want but autism is quite real. It used to go by the name "pediatric schizophrenia".
ASD's (autism spectrum disorders) are becoming overdiagnosed and a catch-all for kids who are just different and in our "diverse" society any child who isn't just like the rest of the little automatons there must be something wrong :facepalm:. but that doesn't change the fact that plenty of children and adults are truly autistic.

Get a little knowledge, spend a little time with autistic children and you'll understand that a) it is real and b) they aren't "just different".
Title: Autism
Post by: Miss_Fluffy on July 23, 2011, 12:08:26 PM
In answer to the first question.  I believe everyone has a God-given role to play in the world.  I once heard a priest say that down's syndrome people play an essential role in bringing out people's charitable qualities.

People who have autism often have really amazing technical skills which can be put to good use.  And learning to have patience with an autistic person is good for the soul.
Title: Autism
Post by: Rosarium on July 24, 2011, 12:00:12 AM
Quote from: Miss_Fluffy

People who have autism often have really amazing technical skills which can be put to good use.  And learning to have patience with an autistic person is good for the soul.

And autistic people usually display heroic virtue in tolerating a world of people who usually cause much distress.

So maybe having autism is good for the soul too because one never gets too comfortable with others.