Author: Guest Writer
James Guttman, a writer and parent, shares his experiences raising his non-verbal, autistic son, Lucas. Guttman describes the joy and meaningful communication he shares with Lucas despite his initial fears and society's misunderstanding of autism. He criticizes notions that autism needs curing, emphasizing appreciation over awareness. Guttman argues that societal perceptions should change, especially in light of statements by public figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggesting autism can be "eradicated." He stresses the importance of love and time in understanding his son, rejecting the idea that Lucas needs fixing. Guttman’s book on fatherhood and autism is set for release in June.
Here’s What They Meant To Say
Lucas’s Smile Speaks Louder Than Any Words
Oh, the horror! My son Lucas is 14, he doesn’t talk, and worst of all – he’s full of joy. The smile on this kid’s face is all the language we need around here. We’ve perfected the art of telepathic communication, you see. No verbal words required when you’ve got nonverbal cues.
Forget Milestones; We’re Paving Our Own Path
Once upon a time, I questioned why Lucas had autism. Now, I’ve moved on from those rookie questions like why he didn’t follow society’s handbook of milestones. We’re practically running our own reality show featuring joys of not fitting into the little boxes that conventional thinkers love to worry about.
A Word to the “Cure Everything” Crowd
Swooping in with your miracle cures is sweet and all, but this isn’t a Hallmark movie. We’re not looking for a plot twist where we ‘fix’ Lucas with crystals or diets. Folks like RFK Jr., bless his heart, with their grand studies trying to identify ‘what went wrong’ should focus less on science fiction and more on meeting my bundle of hope as he is.
So, here’s the kicker, folks: Lucas is not a ‘problem’ in need of a solution – he’s blazing his own trail in this world with no need for your so-called cures.