If you have met a child with autism, you have met a child with autism.
I’m stepping back from book pimping for a moment to talk about something near and dear to my heart. April is Autism Awareness month and I am the mother of a child with autism. I rarely discuss my personal life on this blog but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to raise awareness. Because that is my job. More than being a blogger, more than my work week as a CNA, it is my job and responsibility to lay the groundwork for my child’s future. The best way to do that is to educate. To show the world my amazing little boy, to help others understand what autism is, that it is nothing to be feared or ridiculed. My Little Man does not need a “cure” because he is not sick. He just needs understanding.
On Thursday, the CDC released it’s recent autism report. The rate of autism cases in the U.S. has risen to 1 in every 88 children. Ten years ago, that was 1 in 150. That is huge. What can you do? Educate yourself and others. Know the early signs and symptoms. With the statistics being 1 in 88, the odds are you know or will know someone with autism. It could be your child, grandchild, niece, or nephew. Early intervention is vital for these children. Know what to look for and know what resources are available.
Educate your children. They may have never heard of autism. Let them know that the “weird kid” who sits by himself and sometimes does unusual things desperately wants to be included but doesn’t know how. That child is incredibly intelligent and has a sense of loyalty that is unshakable. Just because he doesn’t like to be touched doesn’t mean he won’t make them an excellent friend. And just because he doesn’t look at someone doesn’t mean he doesn’t hear every cruel, hurtful insult that is hurled at him from children that do not know any better. And that’s what it comes down to. No parent looks at their child and thinks “I want him/her to be a bully when they are older” but that’s what is happening. They mock the things they don’t understand and don’t realize the consequences. Teens with ASD are more likely to be depressed and even suicidal. Just typing that sentence terrifies me. It’s not a random statistic. That is my child, my sunshine, the person that my life revolves around. I’m begging you, teach your children understanding and compassion. It could save a life.
A couple of years ago, I read Water Bound by Christine Feehan and it made me reevaluate how I saw my Aspie. The heroine, Rikki, is a high functioning autistic adult and Feehan got it right. I saw so much of Little Man in that fictional character. I found myself nodding at food aversions and the obsessive need for everything to be the same. I ached when Rikki doubted herself and her ability to be loved. And it uncovered a hope that I didn’t realize I still clung to. See, when we got the autism diagnosis, I read everything I could on it and my dreams for Little Man became like an Etch a Sketch. I shook it hard to erase what was already there and started new. My ambition was no longer for him to go to college on a full ride scholarship, my husband was no longer visualizing his son playing in the World Series. My goal was to make it through half the grocery store without a meltdown. For Little Man to spend a full week at school without me getting a phone call from them. My biggest dream at that point was for him to initiate play with another child, which he did for the first time at 8 years of age. Then Water Bound brought back that other dream, the tiny hope I had buried deep because it was too fragile to handle. I want my precious Little Man to have his own HEA. I want him to find a partner that will be by his side for life. Someone that will love him, not in spite of the autism, but because of the amazing and loving person he his. I want that for him more than anything, and because of a romance novel, I now believe it can happen.
If you want to know more about autism but want a great love story too, pick up Water Bound. Yes, it is a fictional character but the portrayal of life with autism is accurate. I’ll be giving away one print or kindle copy to a commenter on this post.
Fatin will also be giving away a copy of The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism. All author proceeds from this book go directly to the Golden Hat Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers for people with autism around the world, and creating an environment that holds these individuals as intellectually capable.
To be entered in the giveaways, just leave a comment saying which book you want or if you want to be entered for both. Easy, peasey right? Giveaway ends next Sunday.
ETA: I had planned for this post to end here but there is something I need to add. If you are a parent of an autistic child, the online autism community is a fantastic resource and support system. The only thing you need to do is reach out. But I know that is the hardest part. We are supposed to be Super Moms, right? Juggling therapy sessions, IEP meetings, and doctor’s appointments with ease? Always knowing the right step to take in this uncharted territory? Not flinching from those judgmental stares when our child melts down in public? Wrong. We get stressed, take the wrong paths and have to backtrack, and God knows we flinch. That is where the online community comes in. Sometimes you just need to see someone else is right where you are. If you don’t feel comfortable in the more public settings, I’m here. Email me (lillie80@gmail.com) anytime. I may not know the answers you need but I can point you in the right direction. If nothing else, I can listen. And I know from experience, that can help. This ride can get overwhelming but I saw a quote on the Flappiness Is blog that I think back on often and it helps keep my priorities straight.
You already knew you would walk through fire for him. Now suit up.
This is why I will Light It Blue on April 2, 2012.
Honorary Mention of Book Sluts 'R' Us Blogger Awards by 
RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk 