Severe Autism Needs “Institutions”
“Institution” can mean: “a facility where disabled people live in a confined setting, segregated from society, and without consent.”
But “institution” can also mean: “an organization that serves an important public purpose or societal need.”
Harvard is an “institution”
The YMCA is an “institution”
Mayo Clinic is an “institution”
St. Jude’s Hospital is an “institution”
The local high school is an “institution”
Those who attack autism-serving programs as “institutions” are not really anti-institution. They are just invoking a bogeyman to de-fund your essential disability services.
Don’t be fooled. High-quality “institutions” (the second type) devoted to the well being of the severely autistic —whether providing day programs, housing or medical care, whether in the “community” or in their own buildings, whether small or big — are exactly what we need.