A Review of Neurotypical

We watched the documentary Neurotypical recently. It doesn't tell you until the end who is NT and who is not (although in some cases, it's easy to tell and some self-disclose during). I think it should be a must watch for everyone, because I think some people might be surprised to see who was Autistic and who isn't. Also, I'm sure a lot of people would be surprised to see how "normal" they looked and expressed themselves.

The documentary begins telling stories of Autistics in water - the joy and calmness it can bring, along with the perils. It flows into stories of more daily life experiences and allows Autistics to speak for themselves.

I had read a fair bit about the documentary before watching it. One person in it was not happy with how they were portrayed. I won't name names, but it's easily found on the web if you're interested. So I went into knowing there may have still been a bias in the film maker and kept an open mind.

Overall, I think it's something I would be happy to show my son when he's a bit older. It's important to me that he is exposed to a wide variety of role models and understand neurodiversity. He needs to learn to understand not just his own brain, but those of others. I think Neurotypical does a pretty good job of letting people into different brains for a short time. 

I Make No Excuses

It happens now and then that adults are introduced to my son and he reacts in a non-neurotypical way. He gets excited, he jumps, he flaps, he shrieks - he's happy. This does not bother me.

However, I can see the adults looking at me, searching my face for answers. I smile at him, I smile at them. They look at me, almost in a, "he's acting weird, doesn't she notice?" way.

I have thought about this pivotal moment many times and what I should say, if anything. I have thought of saying, "he's on the spectrum" and smiling, but then I wonder what that would really accomplish.

I also have to consider the fact that he can hear what I'm saying, that I'm making an explanation or excuse for his behaviour. What will he think of that?

Unless he is misbehaving (and by that I mean behaving badly, not behaving differently) I don't have a problem with what he does, even if it is "weird" or different. So I make no excuses.

If I am asked, I can explain. Otherwise, if I can accept him as he is, so can you.

While you were busy staring at my son wondering what was wrong with him, I was thinking the same thing about you and your manners.