April

If you haven't heard April is not only for fooling people on the first on the month but a month to bring awareness, attention & respect to the Autism Community! Now because I get confused with all the days, months, colors and their causes I will lay it out simply.

A is for Autism.

A is for April.

Multicolored is usually on the ribbon.

Blue is the color of Autism.

Puzzle pieces are the universal symbol.

So now that I have really confused you. Just know this - Autism occurs in 1 out of 150 children!

But Autism is not just a generic name or the diagnosis De Jour every Autistic child has a name and a family all of which appreciate the awareness and respect generated by information and understanding of all this awareness.

With that in mind, as a parent I ask you to not be so quick to judge when a child that appears old enough to not have meltdowns, has a meltdown. Licks, mouths or touches EVERYTHING. Acts up around people and gets overwhelmed by anything and everything. Be patient. Be kind. Be considerate that the parent could also be at the end of their rope too!

Changes

I spend several hours a week in waiting rooms, viewing room - enclosed rooms with a glass window- talking with parents. We talk about our children.

Not in the way other moms probably talk about their children...

I hear regular mom's talk about what their child accomplished today. How great they are doing in school. How many sports their playing.

Play dates.

A funny thing they said last night.

Their friends.

The list goes on...

But for Me - A Parent of a Special Needs Child - Conversations with other mothers in the similar boat usually consist of comparing meltdowns and calming down techniques.

Restaurants that have Gluten free/Dairy free options

Doctors we like and don't like

Specialists we've seen, or ask about medical challenges we may face in the future from parents with older kids who are infinitely wiser or better for the ware.

How lonely we are.

How difficult it is to deal with normal functioning children, who are of course perfect and we are reminded of that by their even more perfect parents...

I have decided to change my blog from simply recapping just my little family small events to a much more personal outlook on what it is really like being a parent of a special needs child.

I will try to be honest and open - which may not be pretty or easy to read. But I feel it is important, necessary even - too often I hear a sense of pity even sadness when people talk to me.

I hear all the time it is our responsibility as parents to bring 'Awareness' - I'm not entirely sure how to do that. Or exactly all that implies. But I do know that if individuals, who might read a blog, become more comfortable with children with special needs then it's worth a try.