For My Son...Putting the Puzzle Together: World Autism Awareness Day
This day matters for more than 1 in 68: 4/2/14
Today is World Autism Awareness Day. Think 1 in 68. World Nightly News recently aired a segment on the staggering statistics of the diagnosis of children with autism and the sharp increase. Where are all the new cases coming from? This is one of the most puzzling disorders out there, and as a parent of a child with Autism, I am a part of the gigantic jigsaw. There is no doubt that the need for autism research is critical. So many families are affected and now someone has to know another human being on the spectrum.
On a day like today, the rest of the world can take a moment to focus on Autism and the benefit of reaching out to those who live with challenges and are simply some of the bravest spirits on the planet. Imagine going years without communication. Without saying a word. Or those who lost their smiles. The mysterious nature of Autism is no mystery when you are 1 in 68 or part of the village that adores them.
Why is it so difficult to find adequate dedicated funding to research a neurological disorder that has been around far longer than the current lifetimes of several generations of people? There is nothing new about the experience of persons struggling to find their unique voices; these were the unseen and thrown away castoffs of a previous heartless confused society. It takes more than doubt to understand the beauty inside of quiet souls of those with Autism. Instead, parents were informed that their children were not strong enough to function in society and needed to be institutionalized. Those who are placed behind closed doors never get to see the light... Times have changed for the better, though not without struggles as those who provide loving care for our Autistic children.
So, perhaps limited opportunities for research existed in my father's WW2 generations or worse yet, my grandmother's post Civil War era. So, no one called this curious disorder by any name. Due to this, many of us possibly experienced autism in vague ways. Maybe having a relative who just didn't communicate in a "regular" way, or who had "quirks". (Then again, who doesn't have those?) The word Autism just didn't exist then. And perhaps not the exact stigmatizing effect of the disorder to those who have not been touched yet through the life altering experience of knowing a person on the spectrum.
I had a 1st Cousin who I loved dearly with some form of autism, as I know it today. He gave me kisses on the cheek and had a speech impediment. I saw the love and affection in him, and I felt the adoration that my favorite Aunt Etta had for him. She took him everywhere she went, even as a man in his 30's through the year she passed away, my first year as a teacher, 1998. He was passionate about his family, his mom, and being a part of his routine. He loved singing in church choir, which Aunt Etta greatly championed. Plus, she ensured his weekly trips to the barber. These seem such simple things. But these events without proper socialization opportunities were everything to my cousin. I found him kind, gentle, happy, and well mannered. His mother made sure he was well groomed, too. He above all of the things I saw him as, was more than anything material. He was loved by someone. This for someone with Autism is what gives them faith in the world. We allow them to touch the sky if we believe they deserve every chance to.
Now since she passed on, I carry the torch with my son. As she was a Leo, I have the lionhearted share of being a part of my son's great big beautiful world. He has a new perspective, colored lightly by Autism. But he is never limited. This year was the first time he mentioned having Autism. I am proud of his progress and of the champion's attitude he carries each day. He is much more than someone with Autism. He is smart, caring, loving, and filled with wisdom. Autism is a label and no defining brand. It fits behaviors, but there are great and beautiful things within a person with the Autism stamp. I am so blessed to have these moments to look underneath the surface and know it. The day I realized that Autism would never define us is the day I felt freedom from judgement or prejudices for my son. He is always going to be my brave little man...
Take today to show some kindness and love and do whatever honors the special families of those affected by Autism. The truth is that the autistic are truly awesome, non- judgemental, giant- hearted, talented gifts who just so happen to use Autism as a description of their disorder. Autism is with us, and will never disappear without more people doing something to increase the need for urgency , for grassroots efforts to join "Team Blue." Trust me, families of children with Autism want your understanding today, through April's Autism Awareness Month, and for days when no one sees the struggles we face to share our courage for our children and to the world at large.
This Marley Owl has been a part of "Team Blue" for the past 12 years and an advocate for my Autistic son when he had no voice. I will forever be putting together the pieces along with the 1 in 68. We share this story, despite socioeconomic and cultural differences. We speak for them...we watch them grow and find words. We join our school system's Autism programs and watch the amazing Special Education Instructors and teams do their daily unsung work.
Remember the 1 in 68 and families with loved ones on the Autism Spectrum...
A personal note of thanks and gratitude to everyone who shared my Autism moment and those who work with my son to make his world as typical as possible. Thank you today and every day...
The Marley Owl...
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