This month is Autism Awareness Month, it is the month that we bring awareness to the condition known as Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD, the acronym often used in the autism community.  The reason is it is a spectrum disorder  some kids may be very high-functioning while others pretty low-functioning.  This month is kind of bitter sweet for me, as just like any other “month” where we focus on a condition or race of people…the people who live with autism (those who are autistic, as well as those who care for those who are autistic), or any other condition that has a “month” of awareness, don’t just deal with it for a month, they deal with it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We live in a society where if it doesn’t affect us we don’t really think about it.  Unless it is shown to us or explained to us in a way where we cannot help but to want to know more.  My goal this month is to open the eyes of those who want to learn, those who want to know more.  I hope this month will show you that children with autism may not act in the same way your kids do or the kids you come into contact with on a daily basis.  However, they COULD have been your kids or you for that matter.  They deserve the same amount of opportunities as any other child, and should be treated with love and respect and not judgment or disgust.  They may not all be savants like Shaun Murphy of “The Good Doctor”, although some definitely are, however they are still deserving of everything this life has to offer.

If you want to learn more about what autism is and how it is identified, or if you suspect your child or a child in your life MAY be autistic click here to see what to look for.