Wonderful brotherly thoughts! Very much love that word: Brotherhood . Sisterhood is also cool, but autism really focuses on brotherhood, especially from an esoteric perspective, where I stand in researching Autism. From that perspective there are some interesting clues as to what autism may be about in making us more human; on the other hand in complementary circles there is much neglect for the management of autism due to accepting it as a "variety" of normalcy. Speaking to those with higher functioning autistim it surely is not a desirable state of being to live with as and when it is experienced as the disorder it is. Clearly the "Rain Man" cases are far from just another way to being successfully human.

Love your NT approach to life. Very holistic. People love to box us in on the subject of autism, but fact is some of us just sense much better than others what it is and what it isn't. It is why you and I get a bit icky about ABA.

Equally as controversially I'd say go to Temple Grandin on how she sees how animals organise their input data and how the keepers of these animals have a care of duty to their mental well-being. This teaches the parent above all the necessity to set restricted, facilitated and protective environments and where the training begins and where it ends.

It is sensible to train the brain to conform to basic levels of sense-impression processing - which is ad fundum what we have in common with the animals closest to us (domesticated). Identify the blue ribbon emotions in your child and apply management skills where applicable to your very young children to bring them back to a base-line state of functionality. Or personality development will suffer.

Sometimes the brain is just a dog who needs a pack leader. We all may turn to a guru from time to time! Parents must not be afraid to lead their children more forecefully than is socially acceptable when it comes to autism. Letting go at the right ages (incrementally) will be far more successful (proof in case!). But boy was it a fight (with the System) to do it OUR way! (ABA wants to creep in everywhere).

Your additional illustration of your work with people from Suriname caps off the autism-problem perfectly! Afterall, aren't Suriname people in Rotterdam also not a "problem". Yeah, or maybe there was a problem to begin with making it hard for new comers (newly born) to integrate....?
Sisters in arms to fight brainless judgements and a lack of understanding. Thanking all Suriname people and all Autists and all of Soyrosa for all the hope we all may muster for the salvation of Mankind! (If I've missed anyone in my gratitude please include yourself as thanked.)