From Pat Miles Patterson

Madison

To the Editor:

You probably know at least one person the Autism spectrum. I do. My granddaughter‘s good friend is on the autism spectrum. He participates in class plays, concerts, group assignments, and runs community kids’ races. I know a practicing lawyer and school board member living alone in an apartment with her beloved cat. I know a Boy Scout troop — all Eagle Scouts, all on the spectrum. Now they are mentoring younger Scouts on the spectrum to become Eagle Scouts.

People on the spectrum are doctors, lawyers, musicians, actors, teachers, professional athletes, and news commentators. They all have family members and friends who know and appreciate them.

Here are just a few famous people who are thought to have autism.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Musician

Bob Dylan — Musician

Barbara McClintock — a notable scientist who made important breakthroughs in the study of chromosomes and how they change during the reproduction process 

Jane Austen — Writer 

Elon Musk announced he was on the autism spectrum while hosting the show, “Saturday Night Live,” in May 2021.

Yet, Robert Kennedy, Director of Health and Human Services, says “autism destroys families and our greatest resource, our children”. He should know better. Families do need to find adaptations and support for their family member. Many families — and their friends — find ways to adapt so the person becomes a valued member of the family and community. Isn’t this what we do with all our children?

Ask vice presidential candidate Tim Kane and his wife who proudly brought both their children to the Nominating Convention. We all saw their son and recognized he had disabilities. Their love and pride for their son was loud and clear.

Secretary Kennedy should know better. His family hid a family member with significant disabilities here in Wisconsin in a facility for people with disabilities. But members of his family went on to found Special Olympics and helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act.

It is true that Autism is a complex constellation of symptoms and behaviors. It is true the spectrum needs more research into causes and interventions. It is true is people on the spectrum can be (and are) valued, important, and contributing members of the community.

It is not true measles cause autism. What is not true is that autism destroys families. That says more about the family members than the person with autism.