Sarah Hollenberger

Primary Resource Essay

English 103
Z1734494

Im Happy as I am
Many organizations, such as Autism Speaks, Generation Rescue, and Talk About
Curing Autism, are not trustworthy in actually getting any help when it comes to working with
the spectrum of neurological variations known simply as autism. Saying that there are ways to
help prevent/ease or to cure a case of autism almost like it is a horrible disease that could
become a pandemic to all mankind. Well its not, its nothing like that. Youre never infected
with autism; you are born with it unknowingly and however it shapes you as a person makes you
unique to everyone else. I learned of this though my interview subject who was recently
diagnosed with her own specific spectrum of autism well after I met her, and I still see her as the
same person but more well defined. While going through diagnoses, lifestyle, and how autism is
seen though others eyes that autism isnt just a disability but also a factor to a persons life and
personality.
To further explain as to what autism is and what it can be is that it is not one
definable and precise neurological condition like schizophrenia or Alzheimers disease.
According to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, its more of a developmental disability that
can vary all the way from different sensory experiences to difficulty in learning language
(About Autism). It is not always arm flapping and repetitive movements like most people
would think, that is actually atypical autism which just a parallel to autism. Autism also occurs
in approximately 1 in 68 children have it according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and nearly about 3.5 million people are diagnosed with some form of autism in the
US according to Nicole Ostrow (Autism Costs More Than.. and "Data & Statistics"). It is also

Sarah Hollenberger
Primary Resource Essay
English 103
Z1734494

referred to as a spectrum, there is no matching to get on answer, its a blend and depending
whats apparent affects each person differently.
Now let me introduce you to my interviewee, her name is Caitlin Downey and she was
diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in her senior year of high school. I only knew of her
not being a people person, not being into social events, and being interested in what most thought
to not be normal in the time before the diagnose. When she broke the news about learning she
was autistic, it wasnt like she just announced her demise like it was some fatal disease, it was
more like Oh! Well theres another tidbit of you I now know that defines a lot about you. She
was still the same after that. Just with sound canceling headphones shed pull out at lunch in the
cafeteria because it was even nosier to her then it was to normal people, even though it was at a
questionable level of sound that would make you wonder how you werent deaf after high
school. I chose to interview her on this subject because 1) shes indeed autistic and interviewing
somebody who wasnt wouldnt be as affective, and 2) she became very passionate about it and
knows what to trust and what should be known instead whats spoon fed though media.
I was already well aware of some of the feelings that went through Caitlins experience
but not in so much detail before the interview, such as what was going through her mind and the
events that followed. She was already aware she wasnt normal compared to most others and
feeling frustrated and alone with what she was dealing with. Once she was finally diagnosed, the
rush of relief and the creep of anxiety of finally knowing that it was her own spectrum of
autism. The relief of finally knowing it wasnt something she wasnt doing right or wrong of
her own doing didnt mean she was going to be a terrible person due to the way she acted. Then

Sarah Hollenberger
Primary Resource Essay
English 103
Z1734494

the anxiety that comes with being a target for bickering behind your back between peers or being
expected to do react or socialize the same way even though they were aware of her situation.
This is actually a pretty common story when it comes to people being diagnosed with
autism from some of the other sources and stories Ive read along with Caitlins. They all felt
ostracized for how they acted or how they learned. Once they finally find out whats really
behind it all, its like a key finally unlocked the truth and they all get that sense of relief. Then
again there are many people out there that arent diagnosed and are totally happy. The same goes
for people that are; they just know what theyre dealing with and learned how to live with it.
I continued on talking with Caitlin about how her lifestyle changed some and about the
information shes stockpiled to better inform herself and others, like myself, over skype. She was
able to get plenty of help from the doctor that diagnosed her via websites and books they gave
her. Many of them went into further detail on what autism is, what to/you can expect, and how to
help. Then how it changed how Caitlin did things, like what college she would choose and how
shed either deal with living on campus or commuting, her choice of college major, and choice of
a possible future career. It would have been a shot to the foot for her if she tried to dive into
college without thinking what would be the best fit for her and making it the most difficult
situation that she would have faced. For her, shes exceptional with verbal skills and learning
languages, so it would be wise for her to go in something in that area instead of something shed
wind up hating and lose all interest in.
This is because many autistics may have a special interest. So it could vary from
mathematics to ballet, from doorknobs to physics, and from politics to bits of shiny paper listed
by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (About Autism). Itll be a very strong interest and they

Sarah Hollenberger
Primary Resource Essay
English 103
Z1734494

usually wont stray because they become so passionate about it. Thus for Caitlin it would be
language for her interest, and I know shes not very interesting in mathematic along with other
subjects.
Then we came to talking about some of the organizations out there that are for autism.
Caitlin only supported a few online organizations, such as The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
and the Autism Womens Network because they actually have members and writers that are also
autistic that are able to give the more actuate details about the disability verses somebody who
isnt and has to do research. What about the ones you hear about everywhere or are the first to
come up on a search engines? Theyre not all what they seem. Unlike the ones I previously stated
are usually headed by people who arent autistic themselves or are a group trying to find some
cure. Or they only really seem to get the bad side of autistics by only having articles about
terrible incidents that involve one or now hard it is to take care of an autistic and not much
praising the ones that actually did something for the betterment of mankind from what Ive seen
on Autism Speaks alone. Plus theres a lot of articles out there either saying that theres a cure
or how to prevent/ease autism. How are broccoli sprouts going to ease anything or how do
vaccines cause autism in a child after receiving them?
Nothing at all thats what. Its developmental so the child probably already had autism
but didnt show any signs coincidently after getting vaccinated. Plus why would you want to cure
something like autism? It resulted in many artists, mathematicians, engineers, and a long list of
other successful people on the planet. It made Caitlin who she is and Id wouldnt want her any
differently otherwise shed be somebody else entirely. Its not a scary brain disease that steals
your childrens souls as how Caitlin put it.

Sarah Hollenberger
Primary Resource Essay
English 103
Z1734494

In the end autism is just a disability that defines who people are and is not a fatal disease.
Its a spectrum with no similar affect from person to person, just like how no two snowflakes are
alike. Without it, the world would be a lot different from what it is now.

Sarah Hollenberger
Primary Resource Essay
English 103
Z1734494
Work sited
Ostrow, Nicole. "Autism Costs More Than $2 Million Over Patients Life." Bloomberg. N.a., 9 June
2014. Web. 22 Oct. 2014. <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-09/autism-costsmore-than-2-million-over-patient-s-life.html>.
"Data & Statistics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 24 Mar. 2014. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html>.
"About Autism." Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
<http://autisticadvocacy.org/about-autism/>.