Autism Awareness: Actions Speak
When a family steps into the ring with autism, it packs a mighty punch. You fall quickly and all at once into a new world. Everything else melts away into a puddle that you step over. You make an empty promise to give it due attention on a someday that won’t ever come.
You pray for the world to be different. That it will not only include your child but value your child and their unique abilities and skill sets. You want friends for your child, education for your child and jobs for your child.
Families impacted by autism tell their stories in hopes of propelling their children into a future that includes them. Thinks about them. Dreams for them.
“National Autism Awareness Month represents an excellent opportunity to promote autism awareness, autism acceptance and to draw attention to the tens of thousands facing an autism diagnosis each year.” -Autism Society
In 1970, the rate of autism in children was 1 in 2,000 (Autism Society, 2008).
Parents were faced with the knowledge that most people in the world were not familiar with autism, it’s characteristics or treatment options. I can’t imagine the loneliness that must have accompanied them. But, also the determination to keep the opportunity for education and dialogue open. They had to spend time educating and re -educating as new studies and information came out. These families were imperative to the awareness we have today.
Fifty years since it’s inception and in 2020, the estimated rate of autism is 1 in 40 (Organization for autism research, 2019).
At this point, everyone has heard of autism.
Finding ways to support the special education department and the children that make up the program:
