Posts Tagged ‘Autism Awareness’
Autism Awareness Month Feels Different This Year
I helped my boy get dressed today, as I do each morning. “One foot in sweetheart,” I quietly instructed, going through the familiar motions. I checked the calendar for a quick run down of our day… April 1st. The start of Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month. Letting out a sigh, I hurried off to gather items for Leo’s therapy sessions, my mind wandering to those earlier days, when excitement was all abuzz, as April neared. When we’d wear a certain color to commemorate the day… And Facebook posts and videos depicting individuals…
Read MoreSuicide is 3X More Likely for those on the Autism Spectrum
Why does Autism awareness and acceptance really matter? There are many reasons, but let’s talk about one of the most important reasons… SUICIDE. Suicide is three times more likely for those on the Autism spectrum studies say. They say Autistics are more likely to have anxiety and depression which obviously leads to suicide. However, I think it’s important to discuss some other factors that weigh heavily into why Autistics have anxiety and depression beyond just Autism. You may be surprised to understand that the villain in this suicide story is…
Read MoreBehold, the Autism Mama
My son Jack has autism. He was born on Mother’s Day, in 2004. Over the past sixteen-almost-seventeen-years, I have had to tell and re-tell his diagnosis so many times, I’ve lost count. By now, I’m pretty sure I’ve heard it all when it comes to autism. I’ve heard about the vaccines, and the poor maternal bonding, and the gluten and the horse therapy. One kindly older woman even suggested Windex could be to blame. Windex? I thought. The problem is, can be hard to know what to say, or how to…
Read MoreDid They Know?
Did they know? The way the people in our life all gradually fell away. Planned without us. We felt we no longer fit in. We watched as they hung out in their lawn chairs, relaxing, chit-chatting. Them having no understanding of the hidden blessings they were given…just the ability to stay still. So simplistic. Yet so grand, to a family like ours. One who knows to be grateful for such moments. But we didn’t know…before…special needs parenting… So maybe they didn’t either. Did they know how it pained us to…
Read MoreOur Hopes and Dreams for Acceptance
This morning I sat my three boys down…well, a few of us sat down and a few of us played Paw Patrol and negotiated a train ride this weekend….and chatted with them about the month of April. I asked them what happens in April. I heard Easter, mom’s birthday, and something about two train movies arriving from eBay. I may have even heard a ‘butt cheek’ in there but I chose to block that out. All true. And then I shared with them how the month of April is the…
Read MoreWhen You Count Your Blessings Do You Count Autism?
We are all too familiar with many of the struggles and negative aspects of Autism. Not only do we live these challenges every day, but we share them. Because they are the hard, the nitty gritty that we need to talk about..to educate, to make people aware and to foster understanding. My son, Stalen was diagnosed on the spectrum when he was 21 months old. He is almost 6 and non-verbal. Autism is not only a part of my son’s identity, it contributes to making him the amazing little boy…
Read MoreWhy Autism Awareness Matters to Me
Why is Autism awareness important? There are many reasons, but to me there is one that is most important. I am the mom to a seven-year-old little boy who happens to be autistic. Before my son, I had no idea what autism was. Sure… I had heard of it, here and there, but I couldn’t tell you what it meant. I wouldn’t have seen the signs in a stranger. When my son’s autism was discovered, everything suddenly changed. I began researching and learning everything I could. The truth is you…
Read MoreAutism Representation – Daniel Tiger to Introduce New Character
I can vividly remember taking my autistic son, Johnny to the park when he was four years old. As I pushed the double stroller with him and his baby sister through the park entrance my heart sank as our usually pretty empty park was full of children and parents. Johnny was excited, and there was no turning back. I had to let him play for at least a little while. As he darted off to play I quickly strapped the baby to me and followed him like a shadow. Sometimes…
Read MoreThe “R” Word
Okay guys let’s talk about something…. The ‘R’ word. You all know the word I’m talking about. I want to ask you a favor…will you please erase this word from your vocabulary? For me. For my darling Oaklan. For every other special needs family in our neurodiverse world. So many people use the ‘R’ word as an off the cuff comment without a single thought to the long term effects it can have on someone. But I’m here to tell you, every single time a special needs family member hears…
Read MorePlease Teach Your Children About Diversity
Dear Mums, Dads and Caregivers, I want to ask you to do something. Can you look back and think if you’ve ever taught your children about diversity? About people’s differences…that not everyone’s the same? It can be race, disabilities, the homeless, religion and so much more. Have you had a conversation about how not everyone’s the same and how important it is to be accepting of that? When Lace was little, I worked in an accommodation house with adults with disabilities. I used to bring Lacey in and let her…
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