Letter: Touched by story on autistic child
To the editor:
Your recent article by Trudy Walz, "Capturing moments for a cause" (Suburban News, March 4), which provided a closer look at the emotions of an autistic child, was a touching piece. As a junior minoring in psychology at Ramapo College of New Jersey, I have studied a bit about autistic children. What I have found is that the social repercussions on a child living with autism are infinite, due mainly to a sense of misunderstanding, misconception and intolerance in our society.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control, one in every 150 American children has autism. These children and their families need support and understanding from their communities to help them thrive in school, family and social environments. Walz’s article about Suburban News photographer Chris Peters and her autistic son, Joey, is refreshing. It is interesting to compare Peters’ exhibits — "Compelled" and "Faces of an Autistic Son" — and recognize the raw emotion and beauty present in both. The close-ups of Joey are just as honest and revealing as the close-ups of flowers, leaves and seashells.
It is inspiring to see Peters open up as a mother through her artwork. Perhaps when people examine her photographs, they will understand Peters’ love for her son and her devotion to The Forum School. Our society needs more of these schools, which give autistic kids like Joey an education that will allow them to thrive in the future.
In my experience, people tend to be more tolerant, accepting, understanding and supportive of an issue or condition when they can make a connection to a specific name, face and story. I want to thank you for acquainting readers with Peters and her son, thereby giving a voice to the hundreds of autistic children and their families who struggle every day to express themselves.
Keri Ann Flaccomio