Tonight, iconic landmarks around the world will Light It Up Blue to shine a light on autism for Autism Awareness day/World Autism day.
I know several fellow ASD parents who don’t even acknowledge it. Everyday is autism awareness day in our homes.
Here is my quick contribution to Autism Awareness Day
I don’t really care much about semantics – Cuyler has autism. Cuyler is autistic. I don’t get offended by the latter.
I do take issue with the following:
1) Cuyler does not have an illness or a disease, as autism was referred to twice yesterday on the news. If I have to refer to it as anything I say it’s a neurological disorder.
2) Cuyler does not suffer from autism (although I could argue that there are days where I suffer because of his autism. HA!). Just ask anyone who knows him if the kid appears to suffer from anything. Answer will be a resounding NO.
3) If you have not yet heard the new stat, allow me to share:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its estimate of autism prevalence in the United States to 1 in 88 children (1 in 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls)
Really? Not an epidemic? That makes me sad and scared and furious.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its estimate of autism prevalence in the United States to 1 in 88 children (1 in 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls)
Really? Not an epidemic? That makes me sad and scared and furious.
We had our own awareness / a-ha moment on the weekend that I will also share.
Me: Hey Cuy, did you know that the CN Tower is going to be lit up blue Monday night?
Cuy: I love the CN Tower! And blue is my favourite colour!
Me: Do you know why it will be lit up blue?
Cuy: Because I have autism?
Cuy: I love the CN Tower! And blue is my favourite colour!
Me: Do you know why it will be lit up blue?
Cuy: Because I have autism?
The hell…?
I’m not sure what I expected his answer to be. I didn’t expect it come out that naturally or automatic. I’ve never heard him speak about having autism. Further…how did he know about World Autism day?
After Sean and I stopped confusedly looking at each other I replied yes.
I asked him if he knows that that means. Did he know what autism is?
I’m not sure what I expected his answer to be. I didn’t expect it come out that naturally or automatic. I’ve never heard him speak about having autism. Further…how did he know about World Autism day?
After Sean and I stopped confusedly looking at each other I replied yes.
I asked him if he knows that that means. Did he know what autism is?
He replied “My brain?”
“What about it?”
“It’s different“
“What about it?”
“It’s different“
Yes. It’s not worse, just different. Not bad, just different.
That’s the simple explanation and we can leave it at that for now.
He is aware enough now to know that he does have autism. He is aware enough to know that his brain works different.
I wondered when we would get there. Here we are.
That’s the simple explanation and we can leave it at that for now.
He is aware enough now to know that he does have autism. He is aware enough to know that his brain works different.
I wondered when we would get there. Here we are.
Today we’ve got our blue on. I’ve got my blue nail polish. Our lights will be lit.
When you see the blue today and tonight, think good thoughts for the families like mine who live with the daily challenges, trials and triumphs that autism brings with it.
My 1 in 88
Love it Christine! My boys have always known that they live daily with autism and as Joshua likes to put it “It means I am really special and smarter than most kids will ever be especially with computers! I would hate to be what others call Normal!”
There you have it.
Cuyler is an amazing boy because he has amazing parents!! Remind Cuyler being “different” is always better then being “the same”!! It just takes most of us longer to figure that out!!
Holy crap Christine – that’s amazing what Cuy was saying. Incredible. This post is amazing. I have to say – I’m guilty of using the ‘suffer from’ line…I actually wrote it yesterday and then thought – well that’s ridiculous – and deleted it. Great reminder.