Happy Worldwide Autism Awareness Day!
OK, you say, I'm aware there's autism. Now what?
Now, a whole lot, depending on your mood, time, or inclination.
Autism Awareness means not just realizing autism exisits - although in a great number of cases, just getting people to recognize that is a huge victory. Autism Awareness means recognizing that people with all levels of autism are working, playing, learning, shopping, going to college, and just living among you.
Autism Awareness means learning some tolerance. It means not making fun of people whose social skills are not as sharp as your own. People who may not understand sarcasm, or jokes, or who laugh too long and loud a minute after the joke is told. People who have trouble making eye contact, who mumble,who talk to themselves, or rock or flap their hands. Having tolerance for parents struggling with children in restaurants or supermarkets or malls instead of staring and clucking and thinking "they have no control over that child!" and recognizing that this may be a case where that child has no control, and something has come out of nowhere to frighten or upset them and they can't verbalize it so they act out.
Tolerance is discarding the idea that "these parents should keep this child home", because
autistic children don't deserve to be locked away, they deserve to enjoy life the way anyone else does. And some days they can handle things. And some days they can't, but we'll never know if we don't try. Tolerance is not grumbing "there's nothing wrong with him" when families with autistic children are allowed ahead in line at Disneyworld or Six Flags, because there is something that troubles them, and many autistic children can not handle waiting in line and will melt down, so yes, they get special treatment, just as a child in a wheelchair might.
Autism Awareness is not complaining when the school budget shows an increase in need for special education, to keep up with the rapid rise of autism diagnosis. You can educate these children now, with early intervention that stands the best chance of helping them lead independent lives. Or you can vote down budgets and protest out-of-district placement, and pay for care of these untrained, uneducated people when they become adults. For all of their adult life.
Autism Awareness could lead you to champion or volunteer (as a buddy) for special needs sporting events. A once-a-year surfing clinic, sailing, martial arts and horseback riding, along with traditional seasonal sports and Special Olympics help children with autism develop social skills, physical skills, and a sense of accomplishment and belonging.
You could even sponsor a child in your community, helping them attend.
Autism Awareness could mean contributing to funds for schools, camps, programs or research, locally or nationally. April is Autism Awareness month. Who's holding a fundraiser near you?
Autism Awareness is clicking here to watch a video.
Autism Awareness is clicking here to read more and join in.
Autism Awareness is clicking here for my favorite local organization, for which, if I ever get my fundraising site up, I'll be raising money between now and April 18th. Email me if you want to know more.
Autism Awareness is about educating yourself and others. And the very best thing about Autism Awareness? Autism Awareness is contagious.
Have a great day.
Now, a whole lot, depending on your mood, time, or inclination.
Autism Awareness means not just realizing autism exisits - although in a great number of cases, just getting people to recognize that is a huge victory. Autism Awareness means recognizing that people with all levels of autism are working, playing, learning, shopping, going to college, and just living among you.
Autism Awareness means learning some tolerance. It means not making fun of people whose social skills are not as sharp as your own. People who may not understand sarcasm, or jokes, or who laugh too long and loud a minute after the joke is told. People who have trouble making eye contact, who mumble,who talk to themselves, or rock or flap their hands. Having tolerance for parents struggling with children in restaurants or supermarkets or malls instead of staring and clucking and thinking "they have no control over that child!" and recognizing that this may be a case where that child has no control, and something has come out of nowhere to frighten or upset them and they can't verbalize it so they act out.
Tolerance is discarding the idea that "these parents should keep this child home", because
autistic children don't deserve to be locked away, they deserve to enjoy life the way anyone else does. And some days they can handle things. And some days they can't, but we'll never know if we don't try. Tolerance is not grumbing "there's nothing wrong with him" when families with autistic children are allowed ahead in line at Disneyworld or Six Flags, because there is something that troubles them, and many autistic children can not handle waiting in line and will melt down, so yes, they get special treatment, just as a child in a wheelchair might.
Autism Awareness is not complaining when the school budget shows an increase in need for special education, to keep up with the rapid rise of autism diagnosis. You can educate these children now, with early intervention that stands the best chance of helping them lead independent lives. Or you can vote down budgets and protest out-of-district placement, and pay for care of these untrained, uneducated people when they become adults. For all of their adult life.
Autism Awareness could lead you to champion or volunteer (as a buddy) for special needs sporting events. A once-a-year surfing clinic, sailing, martial arts and horseback riding, along with traditional seasonal sports and Special Olympics help children with autism develop social skills, physical skills, and a sense of accomplishment and belonging.
You could even sponsor a child in your community, helping them attend.
Autism Awareness could mean contributing to funds for schools, camps, programs or research, locally or nationally. April is Autism Awareness month. Who's holding a fundraiser near you?
Autism Awareness is clicking here to watch a video.
Autism Awareness is clicking here to read more and join in.
Autism Awareness is clicking here for my favorite local organization, for which, if I ever get my fundraising site up, I'll be raising money between now and April 18th. Email me if you want to know more.
Autism Awareness is about educating yourself and others. And the very best thing about Autism Awareness? Autism Awareness is contagious.
Have a great day.