I'm taking a step away from photography related topics today and want to point out to my readers that today is the beginning of Autism Awareness month and it's Light It Up Blue day to show support. You may or may not know, my youngest son, Alex was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)and has been getting therapy for it now for a while now. I wanted to talk about it today because so often you hear the statistics, the difficult challenges, the pity (hate that!) surrounding this disorder. But that's all NEGATIVE! It's true, it's a very challenging thing to deal with (VERY! oh my word it's so challenging!) but I am tired of it only being talked about it in negative terms.
I don’t want to down play the disorder by any means. It’s just not all that different in my mind as someone with a physical disability (being blind for example). Will he have challenges and will life be harder for him in some ways? Yes. Can he work around and cope with this disorder? Yes. Might he be limited in some ways because of it? Maybe - that's up to him. Will he have some strengths because of this disorder? Absolutely! Oh his persistence and logic and adherence to rules will make him a very responsible adult.
I just want to tell you there is hope -- there are so many therapies and theories and treatments available. An overwhelming amount of information that you have to decipher what’s best for your child. Every child on the spectrum is different and has different challenges so there is not one answer to fit every child with autism. My son is high-functioning (no not Asperger's, PDD-NOS but ask me the differences sometime) -- a lot of ways he's very typical and you might not even recognize autism in him at first glance. His challenges have been with communication and social skills - the nuances are most difficult. And ever changing sensory issues too.
He began therapy 16 months ago at Partners In Excellence -- I cannot say enough good things about this place. They are doing amazingly wonderful miracles every day. Not just with my own child, but every child I've seen there in the past year+ has made remarkable improvements. And I'm tickled to say that Alex will be graduating from there at the end of the summer and will begin mainstream school next year. I highly recommend checking out their program if you have a child on the spectrum. They are having an Open House on April 16. Or contact me and I will give you the details of my experience.
I don’t often bring this up to most people I meet but not because I don’t want to talk about it but because my life is so much more than just about dealing with autism. I have 2 other sons that I worry about just as much! Alex isn't "my autistic son." It doesn't define him - he's just Alex. But I’m very comfortable talking about it. It just doesn’t rule our lives. I would think most parents would be grateful if you asked “what’s it like?” or “how is your child doing?” What parent doesn’t love talking about their child? :)
Wear your blue today and then please comment below on how autism has touched your life. Or ask questions! Or call that mom you know who has a child on the spectrum and ask her what life is like. Better yet, invite her and her child over for a playdate! Now, that's a great idea!
