Aimee, rather than sharing my opinions,  I was merely reciting the contradictory memes that we hear this time of the year with Autism Awareness. I will say though that I respectfully disagree with you that high functioning, succesful autism can be seen as a difference.  Autism is always a disability, regardless of whether the autistic person was able to overcome his challenges, and even thrive.

As well, even if it can be shown that autistic individuals on a whole have made great, unique contributions to the world... (I am being cautious here because I am weary of the tendency to seize on every famous eccentric figures, past and present, slapping them with armchair autism diagnosis, and pointing to their accomplishments as great autistic achievements!)  Even if it can be shown that autistic individuals have made great contributions to the world, I would still say that doesn't dismiss autism as a disability.  Your disability may endow you with unique, even savant talents, but, again, that does not make it not a disability.

As to the neurodiversity crowd not having any time for your son, I would also say that doesn't surprise me.  Speaking of BS, neurodiversity is the epitome of BS.  What the neurodiversity proponents don't get, or want to get, is their agenda is an impossibility.  They speak of wanting mutual coexistence for the different neurologucal states in the same way we expect mutual coexistence with races and sexual orientations.  Reflecting further, they shoud realize mutual coexistence for those variables is  possible because they are not in profound conflict with one another, naturally infringing on each other.  A white person can live with a black person, respecting his rights, because that co-existence is not naturally at odds.  Accepting a black peson does not involve giving up your whiteness; same with accepting a gay person does not involve a straight person giving up her straightness.

The autistic condition and the neurotypical one on the otherhand, for the most part, cannot coexist because they are in inherent conflict, so it's often
 a case of one having to yield to the other.  Think about it, if we are calling for mutual acceptance for different neurological states, should that neurotypical mom's desire to not be beaten to a pulp by her autistic son be respected?  How about her desire to not have to look after him well into her old age?  Perhaps we should quiz the neurodiversity proponents on this.  Do they believe that neuro-acceptance should be a two-way street, and autistic individuals should respect the rights and wishes of neurotypicals? This may all sound rather facetious, but I don't know what better way to callout the absurdity of neurodiversity.

Of course that mother will have to cede her rights and desires to her son's condition.  That's what you do with autism, and especially challenging autism. When intervention meant to correct it --defeat it!-- fails, often the only option left is to accommodate it. 

Let's be clear also that accomodation is not the same as respectful coexistence, but, instead, is a matter of surrendering. Should the neurodiversity proponent argue that accomodating autism is the same as respectful coexistence, then I would charge that not only is their agenda apsurd, but it's also disingeneous.  Accomodating autism is a matter of yielding, surrendering to autism, and in that case neurotypicalness is the loser. Again, being that the two neurological states are at profound odds, it can only be a win-loss relationship.

Aimee, that those high functioning, neurodiversity backers don't ever seem to want to bother with your son can be seen as consistent with my argument.
  Even they realize that being around a low functioning autisitic person will infringe on their high functioning, nearly neurotypicalness, They are well aware that happy, mutual coexistence with your son is not possible, so they don't bother.

Light it up Blue is good for getting "Blue Balls."

Joanie, I am afraid 'incongruity' doesn't do autism awareness and the LIUB campaign justice.

With autism awareness we sound the alarm bell at the steep increase in autism diagnosis over recent years, but we also exercise caution that there may not have been a true increase. Autism awareness means acknowledging the challenges of autism and the tremendous hardships that families are facing caring for their disabled kids, but it's also a time to see autism as a 'gift' and celebrate the great accomplishments that autistic people have given the world. Autism awareness involves seeing the tremendous strides that have been achieved in better understanding the condition, but it's also an occasion to concede that we still don't know what causes autism, or even what it is.

Joanie, autism awareness and the accompanying LIUB campaign is a blackhole of utter confusion and stupidity, and from which no sense or reason can escape.

Think about what this media campaign is NOT saying:
They're NOT saying "LIUB for a *CURE*", or "LIUB for *TREATMENT*", or even "LIUB for JUSTICE."
All they are saying is LIUB, LIUB, LIUB, LIUB, etc., etc.,
That means this VERY well-funded media publicity campaign is ONLY about some vague
"awareness", and NORMALIZING the abnormal....
Hey, if it's "always been here", and the dramatic rise in ASD is just "better diagnosing", then
"they" must be doing a good job!
But it's hard to fool AoA people.....

Given the prevailing narrative that autism has always been around, just misdiagnosed, what really does the LIUB campaign stands for anyway?  Apparently, it means that since the dawn of mankind researchers and scientists have missed that a certain sect of the mentally retarded population are more inclined to lack social skills, communicate poorly, and engage in repetitive behaviour.  And now that they've -finally!-- made this 'brilliant" discovery, they want to pay homage and respect to these people by lighting up landmarks and buildings around the world blue. 

How can anyone reflecting on the campaign in this way not left feeling dumbfounded and astounded?  First, dumbfounded and astounded that humans -- especially those who are supposed to be the brightest amongst us -- could be so stupid, and  amazed that now they seek to celebrate their stupidity!  Second, dumbfounded and astounded that they're paying this special respect to only these newly 'discovered' mentally retarded people, and which means they're gravely disrespecting the rest!