| If you want to know what an autistic child looks like, | | | | toothache, but you?re not able tell anyone. Think |
| look at your own child or grandchild. | | | | how you would feel if you really wanted affection, |
| Look at the children who live next door to you and | | | | but a simple stroke of your skin caused physical pain. |
| take a glimpse at every child you walk past on the | | | | These are a few of the things my son must face |
| street. These could very well be the faces of autism. | | | | and because of this, I have become determined to |
| There is no visible indication that a child is affected | | | | put up a good fight for his life. |
| by this disturbing neurological disorder. | | | | Right now, no one expert has been able to confirm |
| Autism is the king of all tricksters. I know this to be | | | | what causes autism, but one thing is certain: bad |
| true because whenever my husband and I take our | | | | parenting IS NOT the cause of this impairment. |
| son to the store or doctor?s office, the looks of | | | | Unfortunately, you still have some who are ready |
| disgust we receive in response to his unruly behavior | | | | and willing to wave the idea around that a parent can |
| never let up. Unless we inform someone, and we | | | | inflict autism onto their child. There are a few people |
| always have to, no one has a clue that he is autistic. | | | | I know who are still quick to say that there is nothing |
| When our ten requests for Darius to ?settle down? | | | | wrong with my son and he only needs to be |
| won?t get through to him, when he is climbing on | | | | disciplined. Although such an accusation hurts deeply, I |
| chairs or is having a screaming fit, people continue to | | | | now understand that it doesn?t matter who the |
| stare through us with questions of, ?Why won?t | | | | person is or how well educated they may think they |
| they do something about him?? or ?If that were my | | | | are on the subject of autism; no one can truly |
| child I?d really handle him.? | | | | comprehend what it?s like to raise an autistic child |
| From time to time, I find myself getting upset about | | | | unless they are raising one themselves. |
| the glares from individuals who would never think | | | | I?ve recently come to the conclusion that there is |
| autism is the culprit. There have even been occasions | | | | nothing I can do about those who frown upon us. |
| when I?ve had to get a little nasty with those brave | | | | Autism is a part of my family?s life and it forever will |
| souls who dared to make a rude comment or stare | | | | be. A long time ago I accepted that we don?t fit into |
| for just a little longer than necessary. But, after all of | | | | an ordinary mold; we do what we can to get over |
| the annoyance and rude exchanges, autism still | | | | the next challenge that autism presents to us. |
| lingers. It seems to me the only thing left to do is | | | | So far, my husband and I have laughed in Autism?s |
| educate rather than disassociate. | | | | face while celebrating our eight-year old?s honor roll |
| So, what exactly is autism? A lot of people I?ve | | | | status and our seven-year old finally waving hello and |
| crossed paths with have no clue as to what this | | | | goodbye. We?ve shown and proved that autism will |
| disorder is and are quick to misconstrue the meaning | | | | not come in between our dreams of normalcy and |
| of autistic with ?artistic?. | | | | happiness. |
| Autism doesn?t have anything to do with the arts; | | | | Still, there will forever be a battle to win with those |
| our children are extremely talented, but artistic and | | | | who feel a disability is only a disability when it |
| autistic are two different things. | | | | screams out at you from a wheelchair. There will |
| Autism (pronounced awe-tizem) is an illness that | | | | always be one individual who thinks a good whipping |
| affects social and communication skills. Some Autistic | | | | is the only cure needed for an autistic child. |
| children have a hard time playing with others and | | | | Sadly, for the millions of parents who know better, |
| making friends and some can?t talk. Many autistic | | | | we can only continue to do what we do best: love |
| children display behaviors that may include: repetitively | | | | and support our children. Nobody else will. We are the |
| pouring liquids from cup to cup, spinning around and | | | | keepers of disappointment when we find that |
| not getting dizzy, not wanting to be touched or | | | | medical insurance does not cover highly expensive |
| hugged, lining up toys and screaming for hours. Of | | | | and much needed behavior therapy. We are the |
| course, every Autistic child is different. There are | | | | proactive and often angry parents questioning why |
| varying levels of this disorder and that?s why it is | | | | sensory integration and assistive technology aren?t |
| called a ?spectrum?. | | | | incorporated into our children?s individual education |
| My seven-year old, who is on the low end of the | | | | plan (IEP). |
| spectrum is nonverbal and is only able to show me | | | | And some of those children are the ones you see in |
| what he wants by taking me to it or bringing a | | | | the grocery store shrieking at the top of their lungs |
| picture to me. The fact that he can?t communicate is | | | | or darting off nonstop at a moment?s notice. So |
| the reason for most of his severe temper tantrums. | | | | please, don?t be quick to judge the parents. Looks |
| Imagine for a moment being frustrated, but not | | | | are very deceiving. Take into account that it may not |
| being able to express why. Imagine you have a | | | | be bad behavior; it may be autism. |