Some Come to Learn, Others to Teach

It is the third time I’ve watched the Sue RubinThe Rubin documentary certainly opened up a
documentary, “Autism is a World.” It hasdifferent perspective of the kind of challenges
led me to consider very strongly how I and we as aconfronted in the autistic’s world. Montgomery
neurotypical (normal), nondisabled society perceivealso illustrates in her writings another challenge of
disability both as professionals and nonprofessionals.making her way in a world that is focused on those of
In the world of autism or any other disability, theseus who walk through our lives in what is called
individuals are at the mercy of what others believe to“normal.”
be their capabilities. It colors what needs and servicesMontgomery wonders about how others’
are provided and the monetary support given toperceive her condition. She says, “we are -- right
expand their capacity to the fullest. What is ultimatelynow, anyway -- both identified as ‘bright’
at stake is their “freedom” to be who theyby a whole lot of people who clearly believe that
are, despite the disability, at all levels.some other people are ‘mentally retarded’
Do we treat them as equals, or do we treat them asaccording to the usual stereotypes. Rubin herself
children needing to be controlled to fit into the worlddoesn’t come right out and say it, but the
called normal?impression she gives is that she, unlike some other
Sue Rubin’s story could have been verypeople, is not mentally retarded. We are both clearly
different if someone had not had the foresight to givecapable (except to those people who refuse to
her a facilitated keyboard at age 13. Until that time, herbelieve that autistic people using keyboards are
mental acuity measured at an IQ of an early toddler, at‘saying’ anything at all and, in my case,
best. Once she began to communicate, her IQ testedthose people who believe that anyone with an IQ
at 133. Although her loving, supportive parents did notscore under 85 is by definition incapable) of benefiting
succumb to the belief that she should befrom formal education.”
institutionalized, they did believe the best they couldThere is among the autistic community a very real
hope for her was to clean tables like “otherconcern of people wanting to take steps toward the
retarded” individuals.genetic elimination of autistic people. Amanda Baggs,
Rubin even wonders if perhaps she was retardedwrites on Autistics.org, “I know what it is to read
during those early years. She says it was likein the papers that people who want people like me
awakening when she finally found a way toeliminated are acting out of love. To read that when a
communicate. And throughout her life ever since, shelot of people like me are born, it is called an
has had to work to minimize the affects that often are‘epidemic.’ I consider these things to be
disconcerting to the neurotypical people she meets inextremely painful, and unfortunately all too common.
public.But they are not the result of autism. They are, in fact,
How often have we witnessed nontypical behaviorsthe result of ideas similar to the ones that make people
we see in others and judged them to be retarded andseek out prevention and cure -- the idea that it is
different. We believe they are unaware of the stares,better to eliminate autism and autistic people rather
the efforts to avoid eye contact or face-to-facethan adjust to our existence.”
encounters.Baggs then challenges, “Talk to autistic people --
Addressing a conference at Whittier College wherenot as if we were damaged versions of yourself.
she is majoring in history, Rubin said, “You thinkForget what you think you know about us, and learn
it’s hard to be autistic, try getting intoabout us and, most importantly, from us. You might be
college.”surprised, at the combination of differences and
As the camera scanned the audience, the group ofsimilarities between what we want in life and what you
young autistic men and women were visiblywant in life. Approach us without the preconceptions
encouraged. They hope to make the journey, too.of what you have been taught about autism, and what
"I decided to make this film to bring people into myyou believe about people in general, and you will see a
world of autism... 'Autism' is a world so difficult tolot. Explore the uniqueness and beauty that is autism, in
explain to someone who is not autistic, someone whoall its forms, respect it, and don't try to eliminate
can easily turn off the peculiar movements and actionsit.”
that take over our bodies," Rubin explained in theBaggs then presents us with a serious consideration of
documentary.the world she envisions. “Imagine what it would
She presents behaviors, like holding spoons forbe like in a world where people were valued as who
comfort, verbal and physical affects and self-injuriouswe were, not what we could do. Where the very real
incidents, which to others are disconcerting and createdifferences were not seen as defects, but valued
a distance if misunderstood. Most are unaware thatinstead. Where equality was not based on similarity.
beneath the behaviors is a 26-year-old woman whoWhere our lives were considered of value simply by
goes to college, makes presentations at conferences,virtue of being lives, not by virtue of how much work
and was the impetus behind the documentary shewe could do at a job or how much help we need from
saw come to fruition. In addition, she struggles dailyothers. Where, upon finding out that your child is autistic,
with trying to control the affects she presents.instead of the grief or horror you may have felt for
In her review essay about “Autistic Lives”your child's future or apparent incomprehensibility, you
for Ragged Edge.com, Cal Montgomery writes thatwould be immediately excited and grateful for your
although she doesn’t agree with all Rubin has tochild's uniqueness. This would be a much better place
say, “I think it's significant that she has beento grow up autistic, or to raise an autistic child. This
enabled to say it, that she has chosen to say it, andworld is possible.”
that she has said it to such a wide audience. To do soIs this world not the same world to which all human
she's had to get access to technology and training sobeings are entitled -- “normal” or not? It
that she can say it in the first place.”seems to be that we still have a long way to go to
Montgomery herself is autistic with fewer supportextend to nonneurotypical citizens the assurance of
services in terms of having round-the-clock assistance.their equality and rights to access the tools to achieve
Unable to speak verbally, she demonstrates affectsand to live their lives.
like self-injurious behavior and is confined to a chair.I have come to believe that in the perfection of
She discusses the very pessimistic prognoses thatcreation, disabilities are part of that perfection. It is said,
were “powerful and official.” Only after“Some people come to the world to learn, others
achieving enough “that people were willing tocome to teach.” I have been taught by these
overlook what the professionals say, was she givenastounding autistic writers to learn about their
the chances “that many autistic people nevercontribution to the perfection of this world intended by
get.”the Creator.