Comments on: Autism and Horses Article http://www.interplayacademy.com/2009/11/autism-and-horses/ Life Lessons in the Connection Between Humans and Horses Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:40:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Ginger http://www.interplayacademy.com/2009/11/autism-and-horses/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Ginger Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:58:05 +0000 http://www.interplaycounseling.com/?p=89#comment-43 These two responses seem to be similar, so I thought I would respond to both of them at once. It is a little tricky for me to interpret the meaning behind each of your words, but I'm curious about what you are trying to communicate. I think I am hearing some concern about taking experimental treatments too seriously until there is research to support them. Perhaps there is some concern about using specific modalities including horses for treating autism. I would like to hear more from both of you if you are willing to share. You may have insights to share that I have not considered before. The other thought I have is that perhaps trying to find a "cure" for autism is part of the problem. I went to a conference on autism this week where I saw Temple Grandin speak on her experience of being autistic. She said that if she had a choice she would not change her autism. It has given her insight and understandings that she would never have had were it not for her autism, and that there have been many brilliant people with autistic traits who have done their part to change the world. The numbers of people with autism are growing, and I have to wonder whether we will reach a point where we "neuro-typicals" will be in the minority, whether someday the tables will turn and we will have to re-frame our description of autism as a disorder and think of it simply as a different perspective. The way we define pathology has a lot to do with what we consider "normal" and when normal changes, we have to change our system of describing it. I appreciate you both for giving me an opportunity to dialog about such an important topic. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. These two responses seem to be similar, so I thought I would respond to both of them at once. It is a little tricky for me to interpret the meaning behind each of your words, but I’m curious about what you are trying to communicate. I think I am hearing some concern about taking experimental treatments too seriously until there is research to support them. Perhaps there is some concern about using specific modalities including horses for treating autism. I would like to hear more from both of you if you are willing to share. You may have insights to share that I have not considered before.

The other thought I have is that perhaps trying to find a “cure” for autism is part of the problem. I went to a conference on autism this week where I saw Temple Grandin speak on her experience of being autistic. She said that if she had a choice she would not change her autism. It has given her insight and understandings that she would never have had were it not for her autism, and that there have been many brilliant people with autistic traits who have done their part to change the world.

The numbers of people with autism are growing, and I have to wonder whether we will reach a point where we “neuro-typicals” will be in the minority, whether someday the tables will turn and we will have to re-frame our description of autism as a disorder and think of it simply as a different perspective. The way we define pathology has a lot to do with what we consider “normal” and when normal changes, we have to change our system of describing it.

I appreciate you both for giving me an opportunity to dialog about such an important topic. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

]]> By: Isaac Harrison http://www.interplayacademy.com/2009/11/autism-and-horses/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Isaac Harrison Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:41:31 +0000 http://www.interplaycounseling.com/?p=89#comment-42 there is no permanent cure for autism yet, most autism treatments are experimental-~, there is no permanent cure for autism yet, most autism treatments are experimental-~,

]]> By: Autism and Animals: A Special Connection « ElaineDuncan's Blog http://www.interplayacademy.com/2009/11/autism-and-horses/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Autism and Animals: A Special Connection « ElaineDuncan's Blog Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:47:07 +0000 http://www.interplaycounseling.com/?p=89#comment-41 [...] Bellingham, WA, in her treatment of children on the autism spectrum. She has written a beautiful  piece on her blog/website (Horses and Autism Article). It seems that some people on the spectrum can [...] [...] Bellingham, WA, in her treatment of children on the autism spectrum. She has written a beautiful  piece on her blog/website (Horses and Autism Article). It seems that some people on the spectrum can [...]

]]> By: Kyle Griffin http://www.interplayacademy.com/2009/11/autism-and-horses/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Kyle Griffin Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:20:28 +0000 http://www.interplaycounseling.com/?p=89#comment-40 there is still no permament solution for autism. we just have to take good care of the kids who are suffering autism.:-- there is still no permament solution for autism. we just have to take good care of the kids who are suffering autism.:–

]]> By: Elaine Duncan http://www.interplayacademy.com/2009/11/autism-and-horses/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Elaine Duncan Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:08:25 +0000 http://www.interplaycounseling.com/?p=89#comment-38 Ginger ~ Your article was so beautiful; it absolutely resonated with me! I see that we are "kindred spirits" when it comes to our view of autism. Working in this field for seven years has finally led me to openly express what I've secretly known: that there is something so special about those on the spectrum, that we have much to learn from them, and that there must be a reason they are here at this point in the history of the Earth. Thank you, Ginger! Ginger ~ Your article was so beautiful; it absolutely resonated with me! I see that we are “kindred spirits” when it comes to our view of autism. Working in this field for seven years has finally led me to openly express what I’ve secretly known: that there is something so special about those on the spectrum, that we have much to learn from them, and that there must be a reason they are here at this point in the history of the Earth. Thank you, Ginger!

]]> By: Ginger http://www.interplayacademy.com/2009/11/autism-and-horses/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Ginger Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:08:13 +0000 http://www.interplaycounseling.com/?p=89#comment-28 Sara, Your love and dedication to your son is an inspiration to me. I am so glad my words were a help to you. I am quite sure he forgives your moments of "damage limitation" and feels your love every day. Thank YOU for seeing his brilliance! Anything IS possible. Many Blessings, Ginger Sara,
Your love and dedication to your son is an inspiration to me. I am so glad my words were a help to you. I am quite sure he forgives your moments of “damage limitation” and feels your love every day. Thank YOU for seeing his brilliance! Anything IS possible.
Many Blessings,
Ginger

]]> By: sara http://www.interplayacademy.com/2009/11/autism-and-horses/comment-page-1/#comment-27 sara Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:44:06 +0000 http://www.interplaycounseling.com/?p=89#comment-27 You have moved me with your understanding and intuative response to the world of autism. My son is wired differently and each day I pray for the strength to give him the support he needs. We have been told that it is not autism that we are dealing with, he is just different, amazing and incredibly bright. I feel as though I practice damage limitation most days, instead of the parenting I manage to give my daughter. I know he feels loved because he tells me so,however my guilt is there each time I do not have the patience that he needs. Thankyou for helping me feel that anything is possible. You have moved me with your understanding and intuative response to the world of autism. My son is wired differently and each day I pray for the strength to give him the support he needs. We have been told that it is not autism that we are dealing with, he is just different, amazing and incredibly bright. I feel as though I practice damage limitation most days, instead of the parenting I manage to give my daughter. I know he feels loved because he tells me so,however my guilt is there each time I do not have the patience that he needs. Thankyou for helping me feel that anything is possible.

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