Why Can T You Be Normal For Once In Your Life By Judy Singer

1215 Words3 Pages

'Why can’t you be normal for once in your life’ is Judy Singers personal reflection, as she shares her struggle of living with her mother, who had ‘a problem with no name’ (Singer 1999), her daughter’s diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome and her reflection in the aftermath of the diagnosis. Subsequently, she advocates for neurological diversity to be acknowledged in society before contemplating how much of a role technology and the Internet has played in giving people with Autism a voice in society.

The opening line, ‘there was something wrong with my family’ shows the emotional impact of living with her mother as Singer reflects on the mental torture she went through trying to understand ‘someone from a parallel universe who people avoided.’ (Singer 1999). She noted that her mother had no sense of the minds of others or any concept of the bleeding obvious which McCarthy (2017) stated is a trait linked to the lack of Theory of Mind, with people on the spectrum struggling to put themselves in another’s shoes.

An account of her father’s response that ‘everyone’s different, ‘you just have to accept people the way …show more content…

Singer finishes by saying that perhaps ‘a more ecological view of society will emerge’ and an acknowledgement that there are different ways of being if the neurologically different are given a voice and acknowledgement of their talents and strengths. ‘A society that will be content to let each individual find his/her own niche, based on the kinds of mutual recognition that can only arise through an ever developing sociological, psychological and now neurological, self awareness.’ (Singer

Show More
Related

  • Prisoners Of Silence Summary

    874 Words  | 2 Pages

    The short documentary video “Prisoners of Silence” focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders with a clear emphasis on autism. It further delves into the rather controversial method of treatment for autism known as facilitated communication, which was first developed in the early 1990s. The video follows the introduction and ultimately the downfall of such a treatment as controversy quickly ensues after a series of sexual abuse cases and ample scientific evidence are produced.

    Read More

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Case Study

    974 Words  | 2 Pages

    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has two main core criteria, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5). The first of the two criteria is ‘Persistent Deficits in Social Communication and Interaction across Multiple Contexts’ under which there are three categories. The first being deficits in social emotional reciprocity which may include atypical social approach and failure of the back and forth exchange of normal conversation. In addition, there may be a failure to respond or initiate social interaction as well as reduced emotions, interest or effect sharing. In the scenario ‘Ben loves Trains’ it is indicated that Ben is content to play alone for hours, he doesn’t interact with his sister in

    Read More

  • Social Stories with Children with Autism

    1769 Words  | 4 Pages

    Wainer, Allison L. "The use of innovative computer technology for teaching social communication to individuals with autism spectrum disorders". Research in autism spectrum disorders , 5 (1), p. 96.

    Read More

  • Let Me Hear Your Voice by Catherine Maurice: A Reading Reflection

    1163 Words  | 3 Pages

    This book was a great read. The heartwarming tale of two young children who manage to overcome the disability under the category of autism. The author, the mother of these two children, uses her language to make the reader feel connected with the struggles of the family and the elated feeling when the children are deemed functioning within normal levels. This book gives insight on several different therapies, some that seemed helpful and others that seemed silly. It touches on the subject of inclusion as well. This book allows individuals to relate to those who have children with autism and gives parents of children with autism hope that their child's disability is not a permanent one.

    Read More

  • High-Functioning Autism through Rain Man

    4121 Words  | 9 Pages

    This scene may sound weird to neurologically-typical (NT), or “normal”, people, but it does demonstrate the coping strategies of people with autism, as exhibited through this scene from Rain Man. Charlie Babbitt, a neurologically typical adult, does not understand how his brother, Raymond Babbitt, who is a high-functioning autistic, functions in his little world that he has created. Manifestations of autism such as this indicate to people how an autistic was seen as “like a wolf” (Pollak 258) in older definitions. Recently, though, people are beginning to understand that the problem is organic, or biologically based, as opposed to the psychogenic, or psychologically based, hypothesis of the past. With the release of Rain Man came the increased understanding of autistics and a willingness to find out what autistics are thinking, thus i...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Thinking In Pictures By Temple Grandin

    1345 Words  | 3 Pages

    Giving others who do not suffer from autism or caregivers an insight on how the individual may be feeling and what they are going through. This book can also help numerous medical professionals such as speech-language pathologists and pediatric doctors. As Grandin stated in the book that not all sufferers act, think, and feel the same so this novel may not be beneficial to readers who are looking for information on a wide scale of individuals who suffer from the illness. She also stated that there is no cure for autism, however some medications can help with some symptoms such as depression or anxiety. What intrigued me the most about Grandin was that she never gave up and worked on her social skills. Not only did she became a spokesperson for autism, but also became a professor at Colorado State University in which both require public speaking and being comfortable in front of people.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Autism Spectrum Disorders

    928 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the most characteristic features of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is its prominent higher prevalence among the male gender in comparison with the female gender. Although rates of ASD are consistent across cultures, these rates vary significantly by gender. It is the male gender that seems to be more affected by ASD with an average male-to-female ratio of 4.2:1, affecting 1 in 70 males and only 1 in 315 females (Fombonne, 2009). Although a well-known fact, the causes for such a great difference among sex ratios still remains unexplained, there are several hypotheses and studies trying to explain the reason for this inequality. In this paper I will outline some of the different attempts to explain the differences between the sex ratios. Among these attempts we can find diverse hypotheses that vary from the role of the sex hormones and genetic vulnerability to the biases of medical professionals during the diagnostic process (Goldman, 2013).

    Read More

  • Essay On The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    Whilst the concept of autism and what it means to be autistic is still widely unrecognised by many, Mark Haddon’s use of conventions of prose fiction and language amplifies the distinctive qualities of the text. Haddon exemplifies key themes such as the struggle to become independent, the nature of difference and the disorder of life through the strategic placement of literary devices.

    Read More

  • The Truths of Autism

    1015 Words  | 3 Pages

    Every year doctors diagnose thousands of adults and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Due to the growing awareness of autism and recent developments in technology, scientists and doctors can now discover and observe the effects of autism on society, and people. Starting with its discovery, researchers have been able to diagnose people more effectively. Doctors are beginning to discover what causes this disorder, and are currently trying to find ways to prevent and treat it. Many places have opened their doors to people with this disorder, creating autistic friendly environments where people are patient and understanding. Schools have also become accommodating to autistic children and adults. Autism also puts great strain on family and home lives.

    Read More

  • Autism in Life in Pictures by Temple Grandin

    632 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before completing the assignment of reading “Thinking in Pictures,” by Temple Grandin, I did not have much knowledge about autism. My only understanding was autism was some sort of neurological disorder that is seen similar to mentally handicapped individuals to someone with little understanding, like myself. I am very thankful to have been given an assignment like this one that gives me more knowledge of something I should already have in my line of work (though I am sure that was the whole purpose of the assignment, to educate the ignorant). I now have a better understanding of the cause, learning process and functioning of different levels of this defect.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Somebody Somewhere Poem By Donna Williams

    726 Words  | 2 Pages

    Somebody Somewhere offers a rear glimpse of the world of autism—from within. Australian born Donna Williams was diagnosed as psychotic at the tender age two, later as deaf, and ultimately as autistic; “Autism had had me in its cage for as long as I had ever known” (p. 5). In her book she describes her escape from “my” world, into “the” world. She talks about “picking up the pieces after a war” and “learning how to build somewhere out of nowhere and a somebody out of a nobody” (p. xi); yet she has something for everyone: “within each of us there is a stranger (or strangers) lurking in the shadows of our subconscious minds” (ibid). The author

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Autism

    1955 Words  | 4 Pages

    Understanding autism, which is professionally known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, otherwise known as (ADS) can be a difficult task, especially for someone who is not trained in helping persons with disabilities. The first person to discover autism was a child psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943. He names the spectrum disorder after the Greek word autos, meaning of or for oneself, due to the way the child display social avoidance. Many doctors’ believed in the past that autism was caused by the way the mother not caring for her child properly or ignoring him or her. There was also a time when it was thought to be caused by certain environmental stresses that cause neurological issues within the brain. Autism is one of the most misunderstood

    Read More

  • Problems With Autism, The Problem Of Communication And Communication

    789 Words  | 2 Pages

    Autism is a problem that people have with communicating. It can affect many contrasting types of people in divergent ways and there is not yet a complete cure for it. People need to know about this disability and what people can do with people who have it.

    Read More

  • Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder

    1583 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...to grow and increase yearly, one can imagine the effect on society these rates already have, and can possibly have with continued growth. It will not be long before autism becomes the normal society. That is a concern will should all share as creatures of earth. All families that are faced with autism will find happiness with the life shared with an autistic individual. Sadly, these individuals face bullying, and social rejection. They deal with health care rejections, and limited services available into adulthood. A future unknown. Although these individuals are different, that doesn’t mean they are less. As humanity, we need to treat everyone as an equal part of this important reality we call existence. Autistic individuals are the quietest souls, but that may only be because we haven’t learned to pay attention. Autism speaks, so isn’t it time to listen (htt1)?

    Read More

  • Donald Davidson’s Three Varieties of Knowledge

    1397 Words  | 3 Pages

    Andrews, K. (2002). Interpreting autism: a critique of Davidson on thought and language. Philosophical Psychology, 15(3). Retrieved from:

    Read More

More about Why Can T You Be Normal For Once In Your Life By Judy Singer

Open Document