"People look at me and assume I am dumb"
- Carly Fleischmann
I was really taken aback by this video. Usually, I can see or read something, process it, and then write or talk about it. After watching Carly's story, I had to sit down for about an hour and gather my thoughts.
There were so many questions that I had, most of them having to do with the failure of her therapists, family and friends, to do something as simple as placing a laptop/keyboard/iPad i.e. ANYTHING, in front of her to see, just to see, if she could communicate.
My anger quickly dissipated when I put myself in her family's shoes. Having an autistic child, to be quite honest, is something that I cannot fathom. Would I be as strong as her parents? I don't know. But I can say that she is a remarkable young lady.
Looking at Carly's story through the patina of the Medical Model of Disability, I can say that it seems to best fit in this category. I fully recognize that statement is easy for me to say as abled-bodied person. However, within the Autistic community many would argue that the Social Model of Disability is the proper categorization for people with Autism. This particular model asserts that it is society's treatment of people with Autism that creates barriers, negativity, and outright derision of people with Autism. I can only say that each student I have the pleasure of working with and for, will be treated as an equal.
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