My life, my way!
Autonomy; it is an eight letter word that sums up the end goal that most parents envision for their children. It is also something that is organically and gradually achieved as a child grows into a teen , and eventually into an adult. Or, does it?!!! Welcome to autism land where the term ‘autonomy’ takes on a completely different meaning, or is conspicuous by its absence. If you find yourself wondering about the hard hitting statement that I just made, then it’s time to take a step back to understand what the life path of many autistics, especially those with higher support needs looks like. As with all other autistics, those with high support needs too have an atypical sensory profile, except, out here the level of difference is so intense that it impacts the attainment of gross and fine motor skills, besides a delay or complete absence of speech. What this also entails for parents and primary caregivers is that they have to actively work with us to help us achieve these...