Medical Perception

I recently attended a large conference on Autism. In attendance were over 2000 people ranging from physicians, diagnosticians, counselors, psychologists, parents, teachers, and administrators. There were also many exhibits from various companies and organizations demonstrating the vast array of resources available to schools and parents to help with autism. Although much of it deals with awareness, some of it is also practical application and recommendations for reaching autistic students.

In one notable session, a well-known physician detailed the many different treatments for autism and discussed the various tests often administered by experts to determine the level of autism in a child. He explained the secretin "miracle cure," the gamma-globulin cure, the auditory awareness system, the benefits of vitamins, and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of blood tests, IQ tests, behavioral tests, and personality profiling tests. He mentioned that while all tests can reveal certain kinds of weaknesses, there is really only one fool-proof test that is always correct--a mother's opinion.

A test is designed to discern the areas that are outside the norms. Averages are determined through years of study and are at best simply general ideas that have limited value in labeling or prescribing the future for a child. Instead, this particular physician has found that the instincts and perception of a mother are right and should always be given consideration.

Those pervicacious physicians who solely rely on so-called empirical evidence may need to rethink their position and seek after the person who knows the child best--the mother. The mother is always right and while she may or may not have the medical or scientific background necessary to provide definitive scholarly application, her perceptions of her child are correct and should be honored.

In the case of our son Joel, I am reminded to trust the instincts of Joel's mother for nothing is greater, more personal and more special than the love and attention of a mother to her children. For Joel, he is fortunate to have the unconditional and devoted concern of his mother.