a new awareness...

this post was written by autistic college student, Cale...posted on his unbelievably interesting blog, Spectrum Siblings...i really like what he had to say, so i'm posting it here...

So, as you are all probably aware, April is autism awareness month. And if you ever leave your home, you’ll probably find flyers hung up just about everywhere broadcasting things like:

• Autism affects as many as 1 in 150 children and 1 in 94 boys
• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the world
• More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, cancer, & AIDS combined
• Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
• Autism has no cure!

There will mostly likely be a collection of exclamation points after each line, and possibly the web address for Autism Speaks. No doubt there will be a puzzle piece or perhaps several on the flyer. But all this scaremongering does little to actually help autistics or the individuals who care for them. Sure, they’re raising awareness, but not all publicity is good publicity.

If you are thinking about hanging up an autism awareness flyer, here are some things you might want to write instead:

• There are autistic people employed in every imaginable profession.
• Autism is not a synonym for stupid or retarded. In fact, many autistics have average IQ’s, and some have IQ’s far above the normal range.
• Autistics fall in love, get married, and even have children.
• With proper support, most autistic adults can live independent or semi-independent lives. However, the majority of states have little to no support for autistics above the age of 18.
• Autism is incurable. But when asked, many autistics respond that they do not want to be cured.
• Autistic children have a profound effect on their families. Their siblings are more empathetic, nurturing, and accepting of other’s differences than their peers. Their parents learn to enjoy life’s small joys, and celebrate each new development.
• Although their expression may be atypical, autistics can still feel emotions. Autistic or not, it hurts when someone stares at you, calls you names, or belittles your existence.

Let’s get the ball rolling on changing the public’s opinion of autism.

Autism: It’s not what you think.