Persons should be educated on autism spectrum disorder

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Re: ‘Autism support takes a village too’, Letter, February 28.

Educators should be properly informed on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in order to prevent the abuse of autistic students by their neurotypical peers and teachers alike.

Not only should all school teachers receive mandatory ASD training, but the standard high school curriculum should include child development science as this would educate students about the often debilitating condition. If nothing else, the curriculum would offer students an idea as to whether they themselves are emotionally/mentally competent to handle the immense responsibility and strains of parenting a regular, non-ASD-child.

It would help students to understand that while persons living with ASD (including those with higher functioning autism) are often deemed wilfully ‘difficult’ and socially incongruent, in fact such behaviour is really not a choice.

And how “camouflaging” or “masking”, (terms) used to describe ASD people pretending to naturally fit into a socially ‘normal’ environment, causes further increase in their already high anxiety and depression levels. This exacerbation is reflected in the disproportionately high rate of suicide among ASD people.

Regarding my own autism spectrum disordered brain, I’m sometimes told, “But you’re so smart”. To this I immediately and somewhat frustratingly reply: “But for every ‘gift’ I have, there are corresponding three or four deficits.” It’s crippling, and on multiple levels!

There could also be childrearing/parenting instruction for parents/caregivers of children born with ASD. Low-functioning autism is already readily recognised and treated, but higher functioning ASD cases are basically left to fend for themselves.

As a moral rule, a physically and mentally sound future should be every child’s fundamental right, especially considering the very troubled world into which they never asked to enter.

FRANK STERLE JR.