Different, NOT Less.
IT IS AUTISM AWARENESS DAY! The whole month of April is Autism Awareness Month but today is a special day. My oldest nephew was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 and half years old and he is turning 7 years old this year. Watching my sister go through what she has been through during these 6 years is why I am making this post. Awareness is to debunk myths, change negative connotations, bring light to a cause that actually should matter, but doesn't. Autism matters. Autism is not a disability. Autism should get the awareness it needs, because the adults and children that have been told they are on the autistic spectrum are BEAUTIFUL. Them not being able to communicate or become as verbally fluent as others does not make them dumb. Their words are trapped inside, but their feelings and emotions are the exact same as any other human on this planet. I see the frustrations, the happiness, the goofiness, the anger, the sadness, and the greatness in my nephew. Just as I see that in the world. What is normal? What is typical? What does it mean to be the same as everyone else? My nephew has the most phenomenal drawings I have ever seen a kid do. His memory is impeccable and can recite all the countries in the world, draw all the states in the US without looking at a map, and definitely will not forget that you told him you would get him a snack a hour ago! His spirit is refreshing. He does not care what others have to say about him. He does not care about peer pressure, social norms, the cool and not so cool things to do. What if we all stopped caring like that? What if we could see the minds of autistic children and adults as the norm. That would change a lot! All to say, I hope one day the world can celebrate not just autism, but any other diagnosis that is considered a disability these days. No one is disabled. The labels we put on ourselves are so important. To disable something is to limit something. And if we are giving ourselves a label of limitation, that is the life we will have. No more labels. My nephew is so talented and will change the world! He is just different, we all are different but he is not less than, he deserves the same treatment, laws, and opportunities as any one else. He has no limits, autism or not. Neither do we!
A few tips from the mind of someone with autism, be sensitive to others' needs and love them how they need to be loved, not how you want to love them:
- I'm first and foremost a child. Autism is just ONE aspect of my character.
- Ordinary sights, sounds, touches or everyday life that are normal for you, can be painful for me.
- It isn't that I don't listen to you, it is just that I cannot understand what you are saying all the time.
- I like routines because I know what to expect.
- DO NOT compare me with other children, I am special too.
- It is hard for me to tell you what I need, when I do not know the words to say it.
- Be patient and consistent. I lear better wen you tell, show and do things WITH me.
- Focus and build on what I can do, rather than what I am not capable of doing.
- I want to be with others, but I do not know how.
- Love me unconditionally, because I promise you, I am worth it!
HUG SOMEONE WITH AUTISM TODAY AND WEAR BLUE!