Why Autism Awareness Isn't Just A Month | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Why Autism Awareness Isn't Just A Month

What April means to over 3.5 million Americans.

18
Why Autism Awareness Isn't Just A Month
runningforautism.com

I'll bet you can remember your first friend. I'll bet your mom can remember the first time you hugged her. Your teachers can provide years of report cards. Your dad can go to sleep knowing you understand his love for you.

These are the little things, the privileges, that so many fail to appreciate.

Autism, as defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, is "a spectrum disorder... a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior." But, if you know anyone who has been affected by autism, you know it is so much more than that.

The child you made fun of for bringing their stuffed animal to lunch in fifth grade may be autistic. The child who had a tantrum in the grocery line may be autistic. The child who hates to be hugged may be autistic. The child who does not want to leave his father's side may be autistic. Each individual is unique; they have little quirks and characteristics that make them different yet truly special.

One in 68 American children fall somewhere on the autism spectrum. It costs a family $60,000 per year, on average. Roughly 40 percent of children with autism do not speak. It is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. and there is no medical detection or cure at this time.

People with autism process information differently. Children can have difficulty speaking, reading, writing and interacting socially with others. Those with autism have the ability to say aloud the things we are all thinking in our heads.

Unfortunately, we have a tendency to judge what we can't comprehend. Society labels those with autism as a “burden,” but it’s a fine line between spreading awareness and avoiding the label. We as outsiders see only glimpses; we don’t truly understand the world of autism; we don’t live it day to day. The pain parents experience having to watch their child suffer; the frustration individuals encounter as they struggle to do even the most basic of things.

Autism can often be referred to as an invisible disability. Every day, these families endure unnoticed difficult times. They deal with financial troubles, behavioral issues and exhaustion, but they never give up. Because for them every little milestone is an achievement.

Friends, family and loved ones affected by autism learn to value the little things in life that are gifts others don’t know. Because the people who don’t know someone with autism take their lives for granted. They take their child’s whine for granted. Their child’s ability to brush their teeth for granted. They take the opportunity to live “normally” for granted.

Autism can be described as seeing the world from a different angle. Those with autism like different things, act in different ways and excel in different areas. But different is OK.

People with autism are some of the most beautiful, brilliant and creative people in the world. They are teachers, doctors, brothers, sisters, lawyers, mothers, fathers. And the amount of joy a child with autism can bring into your life is unimaginable.

Just as much as we try to help those affected by autism learn, we can learn so much more from them. We can learn to accept people for what they are; we can learn to be compassionate; we can learn the meaning of love.

These children didn’t ask for autism; they didn’t ask for an excuse to be treated differently. Having a disability doesn’t make you any less human. Autism is a superpower, because the challenges one day can become accomplishments another.

For these kids, every day is a struggle. It’s a struggle to communicate. A struggle to learn. A struggle to play. It’s a struggle to live.

Everyone can do something; you don’t have to give millions of dollars or fund a research project. You can simply smile at the mother whose child is having a meltdown in the mall, or hold the door for the sister who is wrestling her fighting brother out the door. You never know -- sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.

Remember that autism is a part of who they are, but it doesn’t define who they are. People with autism are more than their differences. The need patience, not pity. They’re no less than us. Children with autism are just as beautiful, smart, caring and loved as any “normal” child. They are magical. They are blessed to see the world through lenses most other people will never know.

We have each been created unique and different. April is a time to celebrate those on the spectrum and appreciate all they have to offer.

I am fortunate enough to be part of Alpha Xi Delta, an organization that not only gives back but raises awareness for those affected by autism. April used to be just another month to me, but now it’s so much more.

It’s 30 days to donate. 30 days to educate myself. 30 days to volunteer. 30 days to understand. 30 days to advocate. 30 days to change. 30 days to make a difference. 30 more days to discover a cure.

So to autism today, tomorrow and beyond: Be patient. Be kind. Be loving. Be understanding. Never give in. Never give up.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

77645
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

7334
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments