World Autism Day
by Jennifer Cooper, posted on April 2nd, 2010 in Ideas and Inspiration
More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, cancer and AIDS combined. -worldautismawarenessday.org
Today is World Autism Day.
I figured this was the perfect day to teach my kids a little about autism. While I spent a number of years working in early intervention with kids with autism, I don’t think I’ve ever actually talked to my kids about it.
It’s been a number of years since I’ve been out of the field. So this morning, I spent some time sifting through sites in an attempt to brush up. I wanted to find something that illustrated that people with autism think differently than most people. I ran across many stories, but some of them seemed to focus on things kids with autism won’t grow up to do, not what they could. Others were too clinical. I don’t want my kids to fear or pity people with autism. I want them to be patient, kind and accepting.
In my search, I ran across a brilliant site I just had to share with you: Mom-NOS. It’s beautiful, insightful and one of the best examples of explaining autism to kids (and adults for that matter) that I’ve run across. In it, a mother explains that kids with autism are hairdryer people in a toaster-brained world.
She also explains what her son’s classmates can do to help her son—always make school a place where it’s okay to be different.
There’s one other thing I wanted to share today. It’s the video below of a little boy that reminds me of so many of the kids I used to know. Bright and full of potential. While I’ve been through my share of tantrums and non-compliance (it’s not a cake-walk folks), what I remember most are the brilliant moments. The moments of breakthroughs, the moments of giggling.
I could climb atop my soap box and tell you how desperately funding is needed for autism therapy, education and respite care. But for today, I’ll just ask that if you don’t know about autism to read up a bit and share what you learn with your kids. With rates as high as 1 in 110 children chances are you, or your children, will one day have a friend with autism.
Jennifer Cooper Reply:
April 5th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
You know, I wonder what that little guy is up to as well.
And thank so much for commenting! I’m thrilled you liked the post.
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