s. Through Braillepublications, glasses, and different types of adaptations madeto public environments blindness becomes more manageable. Toeffectively treat autism, any approach should be flexible innature, rely on positive reinforcement, be re-evaluated on aregular basis and provide a smooth transition from home toschool to community environments. A good program will alsoincorporate training and support systems for parents andcaregivers, with generalization of skills to all settings.Rarely can a family, classroom teacher or other caregiverprovide effective habilitation for a person with autism unlessoffered consultation or in-service training by an experiencedspecialist who is knowledgeable about the disability. A generation ago, the vast majority of the people withautism were eventually placed in institutions. Professionalswere much less educated about autism than they are today;autism specific supports and services were largelynon-existent. Today the picture is brighter. With appropriateservices, training, and information, most families are able tosupport their son or daughter at home. Group homes, assistedapartment living arrangements, or residential facilities offermore options for out of home support. Autism-specific programsand services provide the opportunity for individuals to betaught skills which allow them to reach their fullestpotential. People fear differences in people. In Georgina Kleege'sessay she stated "The fear of blindness leads naturally to thefear of the blind" (400). The same applies for autisticpeople. Many people fear that they will somehow catch it orthat it will ruin them in some way. People do not realize thatautism only has to do with communication and social skills. The repeated rocking and hand flapping and other body movementsare due to their lack of skill in not only verbal, but alsonon-verbal communication. It is a way for them to displaytheir distress and frustration. The ignorance of t...
