What This ASD Family Wants You To Know

I see you.

You've changed your profile picture on Facebook to "Light It Up Blue".

You've liked my posts related to autism.

You may have even changed your outside lights to blue bulbs to show your support.

But what are you REALLY doing to understand and support those with autism?

1. Acknowledge that those on the spectrum, their families and loved ones and not just looking for you to be aware of autism, they and us, are looking more for ACCEPTANCE.

2. Teach. If you are a parent, please teach your children to be friends with the kids that are different. Teach them to be compassionate and understanding. Teach them to protect and defend the more vulnerable kids. If you are a teacher, make sure part of your classroom lesson includes peer inclusion. The world can be a very lonely place and depression is far more common in those with developmental disabilities.

3. Its called "Autism SPECTRUM Disorder" because there is a broad range or disorders. So while you may know someone whose child flaps her arms, the next child on the spectrum might not. Never assume our children will act a certain way.

4. There is no cure. Mr. A will be autistic forever. Kids grow up into adults and we have to focus on our adult ASD society as much as children.


The biggest thing you can do is be aware ALL YEAR LONG. Not just April.

Good Doesn't Mean Great....But Its Not Bad Either

When it's good, it's good.

Like really, really good.

In the past 4 months, A has found his rhythm. I've caught him reading to himself, using polite words, brushing his teeth by himself. Small victories to most, these are big wins in our household.

However.......

Then you get a call from school and your anxiety goes through the roof because why would the school call. (We live in a world of anxiety during school hours).

Well, they call because the computer didn't load fast enough and A thought he would miss out on computer time. His favorite time.

Dear Apple.....thank you! Thank you for iPads and iMacs.

So he threw a chair, flipped a table and ran to his adjustment councilor, his "safe" place. After going to the Occupational Therapy room for some sensory stimulation, he then cried (post meltdown emotional release) because he realized it wasn't the great day he promised mom when he said good-bye that morning.

No matter how good it can be, no matter how much therapy he attends or medication he takes, he still and will forever be autistic.

Always.

There is no cure. No magic pill and no amount of therapy that will take it all away.

He will never be neurotypical.

So when I say it's good, really really good, it just means we are staying afloat.

We have our arm floaties on.

It's Not Just About The Puzzle Piece

I saw a beautiful scarf recently covered in puzzle pieces. I pointed it out to hubby that I would love this scarf, that it would accent my work outfits. He said buy it.....the money will go towards autism awareness.

I am all for "lighting it up blue", jewelry and clothing with puzzle pieces and donations to societies that fund research.

True autism awareness is not those things I just listed though, at least not to me.

It's explaining to friends why we didn't go to your child's birthday party at the dark, indoor mini-golf course (sensory overload).

It's seeing another parent to a child on the spectrum and giving that look like "you're not alone".

It's taking your child to a restaurant and dealing with the stares when he gets so upset over them not having his favorite food.

It's taking the time during all those instances to educate society on why my child is not like yours.

It's writing a blog so people can see the good times and the bad, so parents can have someone to relate to in a world that can feel so lonely.

So I will continue my donations, my puzzle piece shopping and my blue light bulb because if nothing, it sparks conversation.

But truly making society aware that I'm not a bad parent, that autism doesn't have a look and that I can't spank the "bad" out of him comes from being a proud parent to an amazing ASD child.