Comments from the Cape

Linda Andron-Ostrow, CEO

As I contemplate what to write, I am spending a week on Cape Cod. Everyone here is celebrating the end of summer, while trying to figure out how they have had so few hot days. It seems that everywhere you turn climate change is in the air.

Lately, I have been contemplating just how much the climate for those on the spectrum has changed as well. During the month of August, I had the pleasure of attending two Bar Mitzvahs which were a tribute to the unique talent and accomplishments of two 13 year olds being celebrated by the community. The first young man gave an amazing speech in which he related a biblical passage to his journey up to that point and what he had Learned from facing and dealing with his challenges. The second young man, though clearly overwhelmed with anxiety, was surrounded and supported by family and friends while he recited an entire passage by memory, resting his head on the railing surrounding the pulpit. At one point he returned to the written scroll pointed exactly to the place he had left off, returned to the railing, put his head down and finished the remaining parts of the passage. Each of these young men were able to be who they were and in their own individual ways show the world all that they could learn and do. 

Today As I was treading water in the pool, I noticed a cute young girl jumping up and down with excitement and flapping her hands. She came over to talk to me and show me her new haircut, which I later found out she had done herself. Her parents and other relatives made no attempt to correct anything she did, and the rest of the people at the pool seemed completely oblivious. I found it such a welcome change from the early. Days of my practice when parents felt uncomfortable allowing their children to be who they were, to express their individuality, and most importantly their joy. As I connected with this family and found out that both father and aunt, were also professionals working with those on the spectrum, I got a little homesick for the wonderful children, adults and families that I am privileged to know.

At one point, she asked me if I had any kids. I wanted to say about 500 and counting. It gives me great hope that while research moves forward, those of us on the front lines are doing what we can to make the world those on the spectrum grow up in as warm, accepting and celebratory as possible.