World Autism Awareness Day
today is autism awareness day (4/2) and i make mention because of the little one having been given an autism diagnosis - not that we necessarily believe it anymore (more to come).
i saw an article today come across my twitter about how autism still isn't getting enough publicity. i for one, agree. *shocking* but there is also another side that i'm going to bring to light for those people that rant and rave and get all upset about autism not getting the publicity and funding and research that it rightly deserves and needs.
there is another affliction awareness coming up soon. breast cancer. anyone heard of that? i've also been touched pretty close by that movement as well. but listen up, autism-fighters. it took years for breast cancer awareness to finally hit, what i call, mainstream. it's everywhere now. a coffee stand i visit has a billboard saying "save our boobies april 6-12" - and that's not the only clever sign/advert i've seen.
today is autism awareness day (4/2) and i make mention because of the little one having been given an autism diagnosis - not that we necessarily believe it anymore (more to come).
i saw an article today come across my twitter about how autism still isn't getting enough publicity. i for one, agree. *shocking* but there is also another side that i'm going to bring to light for those people that rant and rave and get all upset about autism not getting the publicity and funding and research that it rightly deserves and needs.
there is another affliction awareness coming up soon. breast cancer. anyone heard of that? i've also been touched pretty close by that movement as well. but listen up, autism-fighters. it took years for breast cancer awareness to finally hit, what i call, mainstream. it's everywhere now. a coffee stand i visit has a billboard saying "save our boobies april 6-12" - and that's not the only clever sign/advert i've seen.
autism, it seems, is the chic cause to fight for right now. i'm one of those fighters, but as one of those fighters, i also realize that it'll take some time for the word, movement, funding, etc to get a full head of steam. while diagnosis rates skyrocket, awareness will increase. us *austism-fighters* will soon see the day where the affliction will get as much pub as breast cancer or MS (as examples), it just needs to be spoken of, loudly, for just a bit longer.
as i mentioned, the little one is on the spectrum. she was just 2 when she was diagnosed and is almost 5 now. she is on track right now to enter regular school by first grade (we're putting her in a transitional kindergarten as to not overwhelm her). she speaks in full sentences, she is cognizant of others, empathetic and sympathetic and always willing to help where she can. i cannot speak enough of how important early intervention is. do it do it do it do it. if there is any question about your child, have them checked/tested. if you're scared to find out, i understand, but really think about your child and their needs. early intervention. repeat it.
