The Question of Autism: New Readings

With the epidemic rise in autism, it begs the question why haven't we seen this many people with autism before or with the recent growth of this community what has the role culture, science & the role of diagnostic definitions played in the growth of this disorder? In Roy Richard Grinker's new book "Unstrange Minds: Remapping The World of Autism" he draws upon is academic and personal background to explore these very questions. As a father of daughter with autism he certainly understand the very personal challenges of raising a disabled child. But as an anthropologist he takes a very serious look at the world of autism and how it has changed from Leo Kanners time some 60 years ago. With the advent of media & a pop culture revolution of sorts with Autism Speaks & NBC and celebrities like Dan Marino, Toni Braxton & others the world of autism has expanded its definition and no longer is seen in the context of "The Empty Fortress: Infantile autism and the birth of the self" by Bruno Bettelheim.

We are at a crossroads in what defines the autism spectrum? Is it really as prevelant as the CDC suggests & why has the definiton expanded to incorporate other types of disabilities? As a person who has been dealing with autism in my professional life I am curious to see how these changes will impact people with cognitive disabilities and those with mental illness. Will it be incorporated into the autism spectrum or will there be distinctive definitions? We shall see...

The Tipping Point in Disability & Business

After reading Malcom Gladwell's book "The Tipping Point" I have been left by pondering the question when will society realize the critical nature that the disability community plays throughout the business world? Why has there been such a lapse in judgementto acknowledge this very important facet of society? We are slowly beginning to see diversity groups look at the areas of disability in a new way. However, I do believe we are close to being at what Gladwell describes as a Tipping Point when it pertains to disability and business. Over the past few weeks alone I have come across several articles in the mainstream press from the Wall Street Journal to the New York Times discussing disability issues ranging from hiring practices to the recent surge on pop culture with such figures as Comic Josh Blue.

With the new greay dawn upon us we are at point in our human history that wecan no longer absolve ourselves from the disability community. Disability is not just a political, health or even social issue - it is a HUMAN issue! Even with this being said I think that business plays a crucial role in the evolution of the role that disability plays within our society. The reason for this is very clear- by looking at disability through the context of business & capitalism we can a greater appreciation of the need for acceptance. That statement maybe a looked at with a bit of concern but let me elaborate. Business can create new opportunities in the development of products and services but at the same time inorder for a corporation to continue to run smoothley human capital is essential.This is a critical time due to an aging workforce & 69% of people want to work passed the age of 65 in the US alone. That being said we as a society need to look at the disability community as a model to understand certain accessibility issues but also see there value with the human caputal marketplace. By utilizing this foundation it provides business new opportunities to develop products & services that will enhance the lives of people with disabilities & be good for business. I do believe the "Tipping Point" is upon us it is only a matter of time!

Pop Culture, Disability & The Future...

This week the NY Times published an artitle titled "Clearly, Frankly, Unabashedly Disabled" which discusses how disability is suddendly becoming more visible in the media. Starting with Josh Blue, the comedian with cerebral palsy who recently one NBC's Last Coming Standing to shows like The Amazing Race & Dancing With Stars which had contenstants with disabilities have unveiled many of the stigmas that have faced people with disabilities. The idea that are seen as tragic or triumphant characters rather than just being seen as a person who happens to have a disability. In my own estimation the NY Times article is on target in the sense that mass media such as television is critical in redefining how we precieve those with disabilities. Pop culture provides an accessibility to those with disabilities to the non disabled world. While the disability community hovers at around 20% of the total population that fear of 'otherness' still lingers. Popular culture somehow provides creedence to this community and wipes out the fear of the unknown & draws awareness. We the disability community NEED pop culture to provide a path in which we as a community can communicate to the rest of society providing a glimpse that the diversity of life is ok...

As we move foward it is critical to use outlets of pop culture as a canvas to express ideas of disability. It serves the purpose of creating better understanding BUT just as important as people join our community it can be a bridge by which people will feel less fear or awkwardness in dealing with or living with a disability. The importance is to know that they are not alone BUT part of a larger community that can thrive if given the means.

Business, Fear & The Question of Disability

I have been thinking about the question of disability as it relates to the structure of American business over the past several months. The first question that comes to mind is why have corporations been dragging there feet for so long. I think that this is a complicated answer yet at the same time the answer is very simple - FEAR!!! Corporations are fearful of people with disabilities as viable employees. While they may not say this outright & infact probably don't want to think this way I do believe that there is a deep seeded fear that is pervasive in the corporate culture. Now, the first question is why? To answer this you simply have to say that the fear stems from areas of ones preconcieved notion that a person with a disability can't do the job or that the company will get sued under the auspices of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Infact, who really knows? But I think it is high time for companies to ask the qustion why is this often hard to do. When you look a this massive age wave & a growing disability community these questions are staring us firmly in the face. The question of invincibility - infact that is not the case, however, it does not mean that we can't lead productive lives. Hmm...makes you think?

Presidential Politics

..Tis the season, presidential politics is upon us. The campaign season is racing up to go in full force. Last week the Democrartic candidates had there first televised debates and this weeks the Rebulicans will do the same. The question remains which candidate will have a disability policy that looks at not just healthcare issues - but how people with disabilities can gain greater access to society & more importantly what as President will each candidate do to benefit this large community. What is often lost amongst candidates is the power that the disability community has a as a voting block. Unfortunatley, this has been over looked in the past several election. However, organizations like AARP and NOD have begun to make some headway into utilizing thet power that the disability voting block possess I do feel that it is underserved.

A suggestion I have is to take a page from the playbook of AARP to show that the disperate voices of the disability community CAN have one voice & one common agenda. This will in turn create a power surge never seen in Presidential politics.

Some Musings about Universal Design

I have been thinking a lot lately about the future and the concept of universal design and livable communities. While the first thing I believe people think of are physical devices and architecture I have been prone to thinking about something different. These days I have been thinking about the philosophy of universal design should be seen beyond the physical design BUT rather as a social design model. The question has been that universal design allows for an accessible lifestyle - the question that comes to mind is what does that exactly mean? How do these physical adaptations provide a greater conduit to a social design model and create a new paradigm of disability and aging. Are they one in the same OR are they different. These are questions that I am currently exploring & will discuss later...

Oprah and Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month. With the new study in 2007 from the CDC stating that 1 out 150 children will be diagnosed with some form autism this is certainly something that needs more attention. Today Oprah Winfery spent the hour discussing autism and the complexities of this type of disability. Having parents of young children, doctors and segments from a new documentary produced by Autism Speaks.

What she has done is fantastic, yet the mistake that has been made by her and many others is again doomed to repeat itself. While it is critica to look at young children, autism spectrum disorder as a disability is something that lasts throughout the lifespan. It is hard for me to continually see talk shows like Oprah and Larry King discussing autism without really delving into the 'lifespan question'. Now, what is the lifespan question you may ask. It is ostensibly stating that while early intervention is a MUST - how can we as a society (i.e those in the medical field, therapists, parents, educators and many others) look at focusing on lifecycle needs? What are the tools that we must be equipped to handle areas like being a teenager, young adulthood into older adulthood. There are many hurdles that need be tackled. It is time for major media outlets to broaden its focus and show this type of disability on a broader palette.