Friends, as many of you light up your porch lights with blue bulbs and share your statuses to raise awareness about autism, which is greatly appreciated by all of the parents of children with this diagnosis regardless of where they fall on the spectrum, please take a moment to think about not only raising awareness, but also about teaching compassion and perhaps being an agent of change. The parents and children who live with this diagnosis also need your support and understanding for the other eleven months out of the year. This month, when youre walking or running to raise money for research, or proudly wearing blue (as you should be), please take a moment to reflect. Think about the mom or stepmom in the grocery store with the child who is having a meltdown because the man in front of them on the way in stepped on the automatic door sensor before he could get a chance to do it. That mom probably had to mentally gear herself up for the trip and plan for every possible scenario. Shes probably created TWO shopping lists, one with emergency items only, and one with everything else. She has probably planned her route through the store in an attempt to not trigger a tantrum. She is undoubtedly wearing her invisible shield of armor so that the disgusted looks that people give will her if her child throws himself on the floor screaming and yelling will roll right off of her. Shes probably gone home crying many times because of these looks, with shopping bags much emptier than she hoped. Please think about the dad or stepdad who, instead of sitting at his son or daughters soccer games each week, is meeting with in-home therapists and behaviorists to help create plans to make transition easier for his child. Instead of worrying about whether his child is going to score a winning goal, hes speaking with the occupational therapist who is teaching his child how to grip a pencil properly and sit straight in a chair. Think about the little boy or girl who doesnt get invited to birthday parties and playgroups because other parents are worried that the childs behavior will rub off on their kids. Please understand that as parents of children on the spectrum, we probably partially get it, but it doesnt stop us from having hurt feelings or having our hearts break for our kids. Like you, we have to teach our kids about the world, too. As difficult as it is, we have to take them out in public, and teach them how to become part of a society that looks differently at them. And lastly, think about the little boy or girl on the spectrum who has the right to go to school and be educated just like every other child, regardless of how difficult that may be for the team. Think about the parents who have to navigate through school systems full of red tape and brick walls because funding has been cut or there arent enough resources. Parents who have to learn to read and understand the foreign language called IEP. Think about the teachers whose jobs it is to try to give these children the same opportunities as every other kid. Its no easy task for either party, and although as parents we understand that, it doesnt mean that we arent going to fight any less for what we feel our kids need. Thank you, everyone, for your support this month. I hope Ive given you all some things to think more deeply about as we make our way through April. Perhaps if you happen to see that mom at the grocery store, instead of shaking your head and looking away, youll offer her up a look of support. I know from personal experience that shell appreciate it more than you know. Please remember, its one thing to be aware, and another to be compassionate and supportive.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 15:15:18 +0000
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