Autism is a "spectrum" disorder which includes a wide variety of symptoms and conditions.  Some people describe the spectrum with "low-functioning" people on one end and "high-functioning" on the other.  Some put savants on the "high" end.  Some put muteness on one end and hyperlexia on the other end.  Some argue about the distinctions between "high-functioning", "mild", and other diagnoses such as Asperger's Syndrome.  Some see overlap with other neurological disorders such as Tourette's.  Regardless, people with autism still have things in common such as intense interests plus sensory, social, or communication challenges.  The incidence of autism has skyrocketed during the last 20 years in what has been called the autism epidemic.

I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when I was in elementary school, when very few girls were diagnosed with it.  To me, it has never seemed like a "disease" or a "disorder".  Speaking for myself, several of autism's challenges have been packaged with corresponding strengths.  For example, being able to focus intently has helped me in everything and not being socially driven means I have spent much more time than the average teenager pursuing my own personal interests, education, and development.

A few years ago, a teenager with autism named Taylor Cross created an award-winning documentary called "Normal People Scare Me" in which he interviewed dozens of kids all along the autistic spectrum.  I was one of them.  Although some of the kids I met during the production of the film are unable to speak, I still have many things in common with them such as sensory issues.

Taylor's documentary eloquently illustrates this irony about autism:  as he interviews his subjects, you can see how we are very different yet also similar.  His film has been shown worldwide and is now being used by the CDC and many universities, high schools, and middle schools in various classes.  It was an honor to be part of something that has helped many families.

Which brings me to why it's so easy for me to say "yes, I have autism" and also why it's so hard to say it.  On the one hand, I feel a kinship with all people on the spectrum who are struggling daily with autistic challenges.  I know some of what their families are going through too.  I want to say "yes, I have autism, I'm doing okay, dream big".  On the other hand, the first reaction I get is sometimes disbelief that I can truly have any form of autism because I can talk or because I'm in college;  people suggest I've grown out of Asperger's and that now I'm merely a little eccentric.  From my perspective, people with autism (and maybe ADHD and other challenges) kind of grow into it more than out of it  because we find ways to harness the intensity.  I won't try to hide the fact that I have a form of autism because I don't find it shameful but I also regret any offense to families with children who are far more challenged by it.

There are probably several hundred people of all ages on the autistic spectrum living in Carlsbad.  If you don't know someone with autism, you probably know someone who does.  It may be a novelty in city politics but it's not really a novelty in Carlsbad.  I mention this in hopes that autism will not become the only thing people want to say about me or talk to me about for the next 3 months! 

Shortly after the documentary premiered, I was intereviewed in People magazine along with Taylor Cross and a few other kids from the film.  The magazine sent a photography team and told me to choose a "meaningful" place for them to photograph me for the article.  I was given free rein to choose anywhere in San Diego County:  the Hotel Del, Balboa Park, the Star of India, anywhere.  I chose the Monroe pool in Carlsbad.  I think in the interview I talked mostly about swimming too!  Yes, I truly love to swim.          

Knowing how to swim well is an essential safety skill for every kid.  Parents must do their part of enrolling, driving, encouraging, washing towels and the City Council must do their part by providing adequate pool space for lessons by building the Alga Norte Pools!   Being able to swim is not a recreational luxury.  It saves people from drowning.  Children, the disabled, and minorities face greater risk of the tragedy of drowning.

Competitive swimming is a year-round lifelong sport where people with autism can enjoy the many benefits of organized athletics.

My intense devotion to swimming may stem from autism.  My passion to bring the Alga Norte Pool issue to the forefront of the City Council campaign, however, certainly springs from concern for other kids who can't even get into swim lessons, much less learn how to race and from hearing their parents' frustration with delay after delay and the notion that public swimming pools and lessons are merely "recreational" while their kids are unable to swim.  I joined them in their protests and pleas at City Hall.  I learned about other issues and developed other ideas that you can read about here on my website.  Maybe some of them will resonate with you.  If so, please tell people because I'm running my campaign "lean and green".

Am I running because of a naive childhood dream to be on City Council?  No way.  I'm running because there are things that need saying in this campaign on behalf of many people:  Like "Build Alga Norte Now!" and "No more paid studies of the Village--just get on with something creative!" and "Listen to the families--not the special interests!" and "Keep Carlsbad open and clean!" and "Why not recruit some higher education satellite campuses to these empty office buildings in Carlsbad?"

As the Union-Tribune editors wrote in 2006 about Carlsbad's last City Council election:     "In a city with entrenched incumbents, challengers aren't likely to win a seat on the City Council.  But their campaigns can be considered more than tilting at windmills if they air issues that need attention."

Thanks,

Evan            

United States Swimming Normal Films Specializing in documentaries about autism, siblings, and the arts. Tony Attwood (Asperger's expert) Autism Society of America GRASP Global Regional Aspergers Syndrome Partnership I like their reading list.

P.S. Thanks for your many emails of support and requests for information about autism and swimming.  Thanks for understanding that I can't offer medical advice.

Thanks also for your patience waiting for answers to emails, faxes, and phone calls.  It's amazing and wonderful to have support and interest from people of all ages and backgrounds from literally all around the world.

* Created and hosted by Evan Delaney Rodgers *

* Candidate for City Council, Carlsbad, California  11-4-08*

* Copyright 2008, 2009 *

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Thanks from Evan Delaney Rodgers