In response to Erica Hamilton’s letter about the “autism recovery” (Daily Camera, Oct. 4) at the Solstice Center, bravo!
As a woman with autism whose mother had rubella during her fifth week of pregnancy in 1964, I am appalled with the “Vaxxed” film and the whole “autism recovery” movement. The idea of autism recovery and being against vaccinations for preventable diseases is downright scary. Ms. Hamilton is correct in that this kind of attitude is hurtful to us as autistic people.
As facilitator of two support groups for autistic adults in the greater Denver area, I hear from attendees how hurtful the attitude of not accepting autism can be. When a child hears that he/she is not good enough, or his/her differences are embarrassing, or some other negative comment because of the autism, it can take decades to recover a sense of self-worth, usually with professional help and support. Ms. Hamilton is also correct in that this kind of belief is not only harmful for us as people on the autism spectrum, but violating basic human rights as well.
Xenia Grant
facilitator, Englewood & Lakewood Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP)
Denver
