VHI Research Associate Dr Lidia Ripamonti has written an article for Huffington Post Italia to coincide with International Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April.
Entitled "Di autismo non ci si ammala e non ci si cura" (Autism is not an illness in need of a cure), the piece reflects on how our understanding of autism is rapidly changing, despite the many false myths and prejudices about it. She argues that autism is not an illness, but rather both a neurological difference and a disability: while 'being different' needs to be valued and accepted by our society, disability needs professional therapy, early intervention and a serious and ambitious educational plan. There is no definitive 'cure' for autism: only a realistic and open-minded approach, one that doesn't fear to highlight the most limiting and difficult aspects of autism, can offer much needed awareness and knowledge, and ultimately help with real inclusion and acceptance.
For Italian readers, the full article is available here.
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