AWE-tistic💙

April is Autism Awareness month. I’m all in. I’ve worn blue, had shirts made, painted on windows, spoken to classes, handed out puzzle piece pins, promoted bracelets and charities and Asher’s school. The month just started and I’m already exhausted. Advocating is hard, y’all. This is the first year that I accepted Autism enough to embrace it.

A former high school student of mine is majoring in Communication Disorders. Did this exist when I was in college? Anyway, I’m glad it does now. It was probably created because some momma wanted help for her kid. She probably, finally, got to the right people and those people decided that this was needed. I don’t know. I just created that entire scenario. It could be true though. I was interviewed by this student through email. Anyway, Lindsay Crafton is THE perfect example of what we need more of in this world.

What am I doing to help the cause, exactly?  In a world where I don’t have so many answers, I am educating others. I have to admit that when I talk to others about Autism, I’m kind of numb. I say the words like I’ve rehearsed it all. If I go off script, I show how fragile I am. I’m trying to encourage people to accept that some people are different when, sometimes, I can’t accept it myself. Fake it til you make it, I guess. Every time I hear, “You’re so strong,” I probably roll my eyes.

Thank God for the people that were there for the beginning of  society and science sorting out what to do with Autism. There were people that came before me that fought against the theory of institutionalizing those diagnosed with Autism. Those days had to be rough. Misconceptions and stigmas are still prevalent, but nothing near to what they used to be. Blame was put on mothers. You know, we need more mom guilt.

Randy and I finally got around to watching the movie on Temple Grandin. Um, this would have been helpful about a year ago. It would have helped me understand why Asher loves to be squeezed. Temple had a “squeeze machine.” It would have helped me understand why Asher spins and what he is feeling while he does it. That stimming is good for him. It shows that he’s too happy- can’t be a bad thing. On the other hand, tonight I watched it with a different perspective. I wasn’t worried so much about Temple’s difficulties. I knew she’d be good. I kind of know where she is in life. I was watching her mother. I went from thinking she was being too harsh to completely understanding her. A simple hug from the adult Temple brought her to tears. I get it. She fought every step of the way for her girl.
**Spoiler: She won.

The start of this month has made me think I’m winning too. Not every day, but I’m definitely batting above .500.

Fresh out of the shower and in his jailbird pjs💙