What's the Best Thing About Your Child with Autism?
Tuesday November 13, 2007
Last year, I asked readers to tell me what they loved best about the autistic person in their lives. I received over 150 responses - some with photos, some without... from parents, siblings, grandparents, lovers, and self-advocates.
This holiday season, I've taken just a few of those responses - all from parents of young children and teens on the autism spectrum - and put them into a short piece entitled Thanks to Children with Autism. As you'll see, it's a wonderful little taste of what families around the world are saying about their children with autism. Perhaps more importantly, it's a simple way to show others that humor, affection and joy are NOT extinguished by a diagnosis of autism.
Curious about the rest of the stories? This document, A Gift of Love to the Autism Community, contains the full collection. And if you'd like to read a few longer "success stories" from the spectrum, take a look at:
Do you have stories, appreciations, or celebrations to share? Whether you have a young child, a teen, a spouse or a lover on the autism spectrum - please comment here or write me. If you're a self-advocate on the spectrum, that invitation goes double.
Comments
Best things about autism:
I never I have to stay at a party that I would rather leave.
Giving up on “normal” can be fun.
We always know, what matters most. And, its not clothing, money, accomplishments, careers or grades.
We no longer have to compete with all those that compete.
If you don’t know what you want to do with your life, when you are given a child with autism-now you do. If you think your career is important-now its not.
If you think a kid with autism shows no emotion, pay attention. When they do, its huge.