Let's Stop Judging Jerry Seinfeld

Every now and then I get up on a soap box. This is going to be one of those moments. Last week Jerry Seinfeld disclosed to NBC News' Brian Williams, "I think -- and on a very drawn out scale -- I think I'm on the spectrum. You're never paying attention to the right things. Basic social engagement is really a struggle. I'm very literal. People talk to me and they use expressions and sometimes I don't know what they're saying." Some people close to those with autism, or suffer from autism themselves, have been upset by his statement. Some going so far as to say he is trying to be fashionable. Here's what I know. No one tries to be autistic. There is nothing en vogue about autism. It is not the color of the season, it is not the next greatest thing. Do you know what autism is? It is a spectrum. The recent change of the DSM-V, the manual of all psychological illnesses, has reclassified autism to include Aspergers. No longer is Aspergers a separate entity all on its own. It is now all considered part of the autism rainbow. On one side of this arch is a very debilitating severe neurological disorder. Often times these individuals struggle with basic life skills and will require intervention for most of their lives. They are non-verbal, some are not able to use the restroom of their own accord, some are violent. On the other end of this scale are people like my son, people possibly like Jerry Seinfeld. My son is an 11-year-old child who can tell you anything about history. We...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news