The Proposed CASDA Solution Part 2
Welcome back! This week we finish up our look at the Canadian national Autism program, as well as some of my own personal thoughts on it, time permitting. Last we left off, we read some of it’s proposal points on how they plan on making life easier for all of Canada’s people on the spectrum (and probably also able to make other people's lives easier as will, spectrum or no). Now this is a relatively new proposal on the table handling an old problem, so there may not be much information on the post this week about it(if your curious and want to learn more about it, you can try looking online though I would have no idea on where to start). But at any rate, let's get’er moving!
The group, and a smart move on their part I should think, revealed the plan ahead of the Canadian federal election in October in the hopes of it becoming a major election issue (or more accurately a solution). Or at the very least an issue that the voters will pressure the parties to comment on both prior, during and after the election (let's hope it gets really popular for that to happen. Already here in Ontario Autistic issues are getting more recognition so far). We, or at least those of us, myself included, who live in Canada, might be on the cusp of an era where neurological concerns and progressive solutions might be looked on more favourably! Exciting times we do live in.
My father told me of an Chinese curse (not sure if it is ancient or not): May you live in interesting times. We only have to look at today’s newspaper to see what they mean, but at least this is a step in the right direction.
And that’s it! That was the last of the article! Bet you thought, from the start of this post, that there would be more to it did you? Will to be honest, so did I until I looked on what was still left unsaid, and by that point I didn't want to change it because. But now there is space for me to exposite all over this post like a digital version of verbal diarrhea (if you’re going to try to unpack all that I’ve said after words, wear thick plastic gloves). From what I have read, and some of you have told me, is that this plan seems like a solid, bold, progressive idea to solve a-decade-and-more issue of providing actual support and available resources to people who both think and act differently than the majority of the population.
Instead of what used to happen, which was to either lock us all up in an institution out-of-sight-out-of-mind like, ostracize us by calling, or hinting at, what we have as a disease meant to be cured (as well as coming up with all these weird ways that is can be passed on: touch, close proximity, or even by looking at us if I have the last one right). Which begs the question, they did know that it was neurological “disorder”, or whatever you want tot call it, right? It’s not like we were zombies or anything (than again, in most pop-culture references, the only way to stop a zombie was to destroy the brain. Maybe the Z-virus is not just any virus, but a neurological virus at that? Could explain the whole Autism/Asperger’s is a disease spread by vaccines myth: People just watch too many zombie horror movies).
Now, I don’t blame them for wanting to watch all of the zombie movies and other media that they can get their hands on, I love a good zombie horror book myself, but even I don’t treat other groups of people as if they are literal versions of horror monsters. Last time I killed someone with a silver bullet, it was really my hairy uncle George. I’m just glad no one found the body.
Perhaps even this national Autism proposal could one day help dispel all those myths and misconceptions about us, and increase societies acceptance of us as well. Provided, of course, that the people working on the proposal, once it’s actually being acted upon, continue to listen to people who are on the spectrum and not just professionals or “professionals”. While it could be a great leap forward in the betterment of all people Autistic, Aspie, and our NT friends and families, it could also be a large step backward if those running the show ever lose sight of their ultimate goal. First things first, we need to see if the bold idea gets off the ground in the first place.
Well, that does it for this week's post. Next week I’ll have a different topic in mind to write on (that or I’ll just look one up. Last part usually works). But until next time, this continues to be, the Audacious Aspie.
Sources used:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/casda-national-autism-program-1.5080391