Yoko Oh No!

It was World Autism Awareness Day last Thursday. I was very busy at work, and unfortunately didn’t find the time to comment on the day itself.

I did read this article though, about Yoko Ono auctioning off a work of her art as jigsaw pieces in aid of Autism Speaks – an organisation that I know very little about.

Initially I thought it was a wonderful way to help raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders, but this feeling didn’t last long:

Speaking in front of a crowd at the unveiling, she said, “Once the solution for autism is discovered, we will see the sky shimmering in its original beauty, with no holes.”

Oh dear. A solution for autism? Bad use of metaphor that not even I would use?

Now – I am well aware that well-tailored therapies can help those of us on the Spectrum enormously. Even without therapeutic intervention, many of us can lead full and satisfying lives.

What therapies can never do is cure autism. I don’t want to put words in Yoko’s mouth here – she didn’t use the word cure, and indeed solution may not equal cure in her eyes, but it sure as hell sounds like she thinks that ultimately autism can be eradicated.

To me, she also suggests that to have an ASD is to have a life that isn’t complete. I find that insulting.

I understand that you want to help, Yoko, but I won’t be buying a piece of your jigsaw. The sky does not have holes in it, and my life is no less beautiful simply because I have Asperger’s. Indeed I often think quite the opposite – I can see a side of life that most people cannot, and that in itself is beautiful, and can be a very useful skill.

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