AWE-tism Awareness

Yesterday was World Autism Awareness Day, and the Autism community was all ready. We had blue lightbulbs, we had blue hair, we had videos, we were ready.

I never left my house. All day. I spent the morning finishing a project that I had started over the weekend and just didn't have the energy to take these 3 kids somewhere since they are all home for spring break. Big Brother went outside to play for a while and the twins stayed inside with me. We didn't do much (other than fight), but we did it in blue clothes. We did it with my blue hair. And we watched my video (the project I was working to finish).





You see, Autism Awareness Day (for now, at least) only seems to affect those who see autism every day. The families and the professionals who work with these children. No one else really seems to notice that the incidence rates are going up every time you turn around. Realize that in 1985 the rates were 1 in 2000 children......today, 1 in 88 (1 in 54 boys, 1 in 252 girls) will be diagnosed on the spectrum by the time our children are 8 years old. This is more than children to be diagnosed with diabetes, AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and down syndrome -- COMBINED. But if it doesn't affect someone, they may pay some tribute (wear blue when reminded, for example), but then allow it to disappear unnoticed. And I know that's true.....because that was me a few years ago.



World Autism Awareness Day, 2012 may now be over, but it's still my job as a parent of children on the spectrum to keep pushing for awareness. April is still happening and I will keep pushing hard throughout the month, but when April is over, Autism doesn't simply disappear. I hope that those who don't see Autism every day will start taking the initiative and will continue to ask questions and will keep a watchful eye on their own children to catch signs early.

Because until we find the cause, the rates will continue on the steep incline we've been seeing these last few years.