Susannah Brouwer shares about taking care of her autistic son and why the stigma needs to end.
My two and a half year-old son loves books, chasing bubbles and singing “Wheels on the Bus.” He’s a curious and joyous kid. He is also autistic. A recent CDC report shows that autism rates among children have increased since 2022, following an increasing trend since the year 2000. The agency attributes this uptick in rates to improved screening and awareness, especially among Black and Latino children, and an expansion of the diagnostic criteria.
This makes total sense to me. The skilled pediatric team at UCSF spotted inconsistencies in our son’s development as early as nine months old. They immediately connected us with a medical facility for evaluation and therapies. By two years old, we had a clear autism diagnosis. Albeit a journey, his diagnosis has been nothing but a benefit for our son and our family. It unlocked a slew of services to support him in his development. It’s given us a framework to understand how his brain might work. It’s also introduced us to a neurodivergent affirming way of thinking.
Translation: Autism is not bad, it’s just the brain working in a different way with a lot of potential superpowers. Yes, I know that he’ll face unique challenges growing up in a world designed for neurotypical people. And, yes, knowing that he’ll face these challenges is hard. But, I also feel so privileged to live in the Bay Area with highly trained clinicians, easy access to services and a forward-thinking community that celebrates his differences.
So, when I hear our top health official use terms like “epidemic” in a rushed campaign to uncover new causes of autism with no scientific grounding, I worry we’re moving in the wrong direction. We should be focused on reducing stigma, funding scientifically sound research and doubling down on increased access to early screening and services, especially in underserved communities. In the meantime, I’ll let my son, the experts and science guide me through these early days on our autism journey. With a Perspective, I’m Susannah Brouwer.