In elementary school, we had a "buddy system;" every week, two students would go and get our classroom buddy from the special education classroom and take them to lunch. There was one student named Sam that I had become rather acquainted with, and we would spend time at recess together, usually me pushing him on the swing. If I slowed down, he would clap his hands and sign the word for "more."
I remember very clearly one conversation that I had about Sam with his teacher. I finally got the nerve to ask what really was "wrong" with Sam (as these were the only words nine-year-old me could find to use). She told me that he was severely autistic. He had never spoken and he probably never would. He used pictures and some sign language to communicate with his teachers at school. "Sam is really very smart," I remember her telling me. "He may not be able to tell you things, but he can show you and he can explain it in his own way."
The severity of autism is measured on a spectrum. Some people are independent, functioning individuals, who may or may not experience trouble communicating with others. There are also those who are more affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who may not be able to communicate at all or very minimally. Every person who falls on this spectrum is a unique individual with their own skills and talents. In fact, about 40% of those with autism have higher than average intelligence. They just happen to be looking at the world in a different way.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. The stigma about autism and other spectrum disorders dictates that those in this situation are less-than-average, and that could not be farther from the truth. People on the spectrum deserve just as much love and care as those who have a more easily quantifiable disability (like a physical disability, for example).
Celebrating Autism Awareness month helps us move toward eliminating this stigma for good. We need to actively take part in educating those about life with an ASD and how different it is for each person. We need to support special education programs in the schools and beyond that allow those with an ASD to become more independent and interact with their peers in a social setting. We also need to reflect on our own behavior and realize that we should not treat those with an ASD any different than those without one. This includes more than the general "diagnosis" of autism. This includes individuals with Asperger's and those with a PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified).
Maybe you do not know anyone with an ASD, but you might have a friend, a cousin, or a neighbor; around 1 in 68 children are found to be on the spectrum. People with an ASD may operate in their own way, but they are just as beautiful, just as worthy of love, like Sam. An ASD is not a classified as a learning disability or a mental health disorder. It is a different thought process, a different way of looking at the world--and different can be beautiful.
If you are interested in getting more involved in Autism Awareness Month, visit autismspeaks.org to find out more information about activities and events going on in your area.
