Autism: A History of Blame

There was a new study recently posted on DisabilityScoop titled, Parent-Led Intervention May Lower Kids’ Autism Risk . Researchers again are dusting off the premise that Autism can be ‘cured’ by ways of changing the parental nurturing interaction early in life. Although I read the study and it wasn’t as insulting as in comparison to some earlier theories, I still felt it was resting on the feet of some very destructive autism fallacies of the past.

Autistic Child Blurred Behind Pane Of Glass

I know this is a little different than what I usually write here, but after some research into the subject this really struck me as interesting and I thought I’d share some Autism History. It may answer the question as to why, we as mothers, either inherently have guilt about our kids or why people are determined to inflict this on us.

It is not surprising that this stigma originated with Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is based on the concept of the unconscious mind, and it focuses on emotional disturbance. Freud believed that the cause of psychological disorders were the result of some early childhood experience of trauma, rather than organic factors in the brain or nervous system. Freud’s work put particular emphasis on the first few years of life because he theorized that early childhood experiences were the root of unhealthy developments in the human mind. In my opinion and that of many others, Freud placed a lot of blame on mother issues and unhealthy sexual deviances and complexes.

Melatonin Use For Children on the Spectrum: A Conversation with ASD Parents

I recently came across a news report on how more parents are turning to the use of Melatonin as a sleep aid for their children. I found this quite interesting because being an ASD mom who is heavily involved with an online ASD parent community, we have had many conversations about Melatonin. Some of us really depend on Melatonin due to the fact that one of the characteristics of Autism involves inability to sleep or self regulate.

So before writing this article today, I posted to the community and waited for their responses.

Hi Everyone! I am writing on the topic of Melatonin for kids on the spectrum. Please view this video and post comments on you and your child’s experience with the use of Melatonin or on your decision not to use Melatonin.melotonin

Thanks!

Click here for video

One thing I must mention is that ASD Mom’s are the best! Autism is such a puzzle and what works for one child doesn’t necessarily work for all children on the spectrum, so incidentally, ASD Mom’s experiment and find ways to make life easier for their children. Every ASD parent’s experience with Melatonin is different than the next parent’s experience. These are some of the experiences that were shared from my online community: