Autism Awareness

See I hate autism awareness month because everyone in my office goes around doing stuff to make people aware that they are aware of autism. Then they give me trouble about not doing enough. Thankfully when I apologize that I don't have time since I am raising an autistic child they shut the hell up. Well until the next day when they get all wrapped up in themselves again and forget what I said.

Troy just had the perfect suggestion, I should bring Andy to my office for the month so they can all be 'aware'. :p God I love that man!

I don't have bumper stickers, or pins, this isn't about me, this is about kids like Andy. I hate that there is a whole month for people to try to make it about themselves. :(

I've always said that awareness is only the first step, and that it's not ever enough to simply be "aware." It's certainly never, ever enough to be tolerant. What people think this month is about is slogans and slacktivism, Rain Man, and key chains.

The problem is that people don't know because it's invisible. You can't see it. And it's behavioral, so it must have a cure. Someone or something caused it. All we need is better parenting/medication/whatever.

For me, Autism Awareness has become synonymous with Autism Education. That includes educating myself as well as others about Autisms and the misconceptions people have about them. They don't realize that it's not about parenting or what's involved in schooling. They don't realize that it's a group of disorders and that there are several comorbid diagnoses as well as additional health problems with ASD's. They listen to whackadoodles like Jenny McCarthy and former doctor Andrew Wakefield are reliable and credible Autism specialists. They think people with Autism have no feelings, are incapable of emotion, don't smile, don't play, aren't happy, and live in isolation.

People just don't KNOW. But it's a popular thing right now to post on your FB status. You can slap on a bumper sticker or donate a couple of dollars to some vague charity with a puzzle piece for its symbol. But they don't educate themselves.

You'd be amazed at how many people sit up and lean forward when I talk about my daughter and how many questions they ask me. You'd be amazed at the hunger some people have to know more. Some people don't care to know more. They're comfortable being slacktivists. They're comfortable "showing" support. But if all they do is "show" support with a button or blue avatar, it's only slightly less bad than someone who is actively denigrating disabled people. Show support, but be active in that support. That's what I try to do.

*I realize my tone sounds bossy, but I'm not directing this at anyone in particular. It ended up me writing more free thought than answering the question.

I'm not sure, but I LOVE that this is Autism Awareness month. I hope our society can recognize that it doesn't only affect children but adults, too. We need to be more tolerant of others! Education is the key. Good for you for being your son's advocate and ally!

I always love that blue is the color for Autism. My son has Autism and he is obsessed with the color blue. When he was younger he had a pair of blue socks he wanted to wear EVERY day. Love to see all the support you are lending!

As a mom to an autistic little boy I will be speaking up and out about his diagnosis as well as the spectrum in general to anyone who is interested. I wish he was in school at the time because I would love to do something within his school but unfortunately they are on spring break. I wish I was a better advocate for others. I try to be active in our local community but am not always able to be.

Daily I wear my tattoo of a monkey hanging from a multicolored puzzle piece, work tooth and nail for & alongside my son, and at least a few times a month try to write to our local gov't to help change the way the laws work for people on the spectrum. I plan on trying to find an activity to get involved with be it either tomorrow or this month. I know that isn't much but every little bit helps.

My cousins oldest son has Autism. A lot of progress has been made. I use to go over & help her exercise Johnny. Back then they didn't keep these children at home. I will keep you in prayer.