G’s Place

He was diagnosed with “Selective Mutism” according to the Washington Post.

His school and parents encouraged him not to go to VA tech, but he wanted to go. VA tech didn’t get any information from the school, and they could not give him the same help the school had given him because they expected him to ask for help. But since he had a disorder where he freaked out when he had to talk to someone in a new situation, he never asked for help.

Does that sound familiar to anyone?

So now the question is, it is better to send that information on the the colleges, so people who need accomodations can have them? Will this result in students being discriminated against, or will it bring on more inclusion of highly intelligent people that have specific social disorders? Or should people be allowed to decide when and if they will disclose, even if that means they are not as successful because they are not capable of seeking help from the university? (Or if you disclose with the help of a parent, will you be told that you don’t belong at our school if you can’t speak for yourself - like Brianna was?)

I think the one thing that needs to change for sure is how people treat other people who may be different. The kid was terrified to speak, but teachers still forced him to speak? And allowed (and participated) when kids in the class would make fun of him not speaking? I think as a society, everyone has a bit of blame to share here.

Different is GOOD people. Maybe the co-worker that never looks you in the eye doesn’t realize why it’s important. Maybe your cube mate that goes on and on and on and on about something doesn’t realize he is doing it. Maybe the person who never talks in meeting can’t…maybe she is scared, maybe the buzz of the florescent lights is distracting him, maybe the smells from the office has given them such a headache they can’t speak. Don’t join in the gang mentality making fun or belittling people like that! Think outside the box…maybe there is a reason they are different.

If you see someone who needs help, extend your hand. Smile. Let them know it’s all gonna be ok. Maybe someone will do the same for you if you need it one day.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 31st, 2007 at 8:37 am and is filed under Asperger's. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.