Shine a Light on Autism. A blue light, to be specific.
Today is Autism Awareness day and April is Autism Awareness Month.
For more information, talk to any parent, sibling, teacher, therapist, caregiver, pastor, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, friend or foe of a person with autism. If you don't know any, drop us a line and we'll help you out.
The definition of Autism is " a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities."
Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development."
This sounds tricky & complicated, or at best, wishy washy to most. Just one of those labels to give kids whose parent's lack in discipline or proper parenting skills. I'm here to tell you, if you think this, you are wrong.
Lars, who's major deficit is SPD, the neurological disorder that impedes his ability to properly process the 7 senses in the brain, did two things this week that are worthy of mention. He asked Daddy for a kiss when he left for work this morning, and he let me hold his hand walking across the parking lot, something he's never done before. Two small steps, probably insignificant to most, but small steps into his complex and misunderstood world.
To all of you who are struggling to understand or believe, just hold your heart out and find the love that is within them. Even if it's only for a fleeting moment, it's worth it. Err on the side of compassion and you'll not go wrong.
Like many cancers, diseases, and mispronounced neurological disorders, I don't believe that we will find a cure for Autism. And for me, that's Ok, because they don't need to be cured. They need to be understood and loved. They are who they are and they are beautiful.
We shine a blue light on our front porch for Lars, who will you shine one for?
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