Autism

Hi, so as I said in my last post, I worked with Friendship Ventures at Camp Friendship this summer.  And I can't emphasize enough how amazing that experience was.  One thing that I got to do all summer was work with people with autism.

I saw a movie yesterday with a very good quote,

"When you have met a person with autism, you have met one person."

I think that that quote is so true after experiencing this summer.  Every person who has autism has their own idiosyncrasies just like all of us.  Every one of us in this world is unique.  I found that I adored every second that I worked with the campers with autism.  I worked with people with autism ranging from 15 all the way up to age 80.

I adopted what I call the first commandment of working with people with autism (and I would say working with anyone).  Thou shall not touch unless absolutely necessary.  Some people with autism get very agitated when touched.  Think of it this way, imagine that someone is wearing a glove that is solely made out of sand burs.  Imagine that they grab your arm and start pulling.  Are you just going to go with them or are you going to freak and fight?  I don't know about you, but I would freak and fight.  This is why some people with autism freak out when you touch them.  To them, the touch feels like fire.

I enjoy working with people with autism, they are the funnest people to be around in my mind.  I feel that I can truly relate to them and understand them.

If you find yourself working with someone who has autism, the first thing to remember is not the first commandment, but have fun with them and don't be afraid.  They will amaze you in ways that you can't even imagine beforehand, and those times when they amaze, it's worth every single second that you spend time with them.