I went to visit my grandparents recently…
After a while, the conversation went on to my work and soon after that, on to general autism.
Now I can’t remember if it was my grandfather or grandmother, but one of them turned to me and said…
“There just seems to be so many more autistic children nowadays. I always hear bout autism on the news or in the paper… There definitely were not was many children with autism when I was a child.”
Now I’m not going to go down the “rise in diagnosis route” today, maybe another day, because really what my grandparents are saying is that they hear about autism more and more…
Which is great because it’s raising awareness of autism to others and (hopefully) teaching these people how and why children with autism are the way they are.
But this is something we need SO much more of, don’t you think?
I think the more we can raise awareness and teach others about autism, the easier it will be to bridge the gap between being aware of autism and accepting autism.
And it’s something we can all do…
Many parents I’ve worked with are reluctant to talk about what it’s like to be a parent of an autistic child.
And I can understand it. It may feel difficult for you, like you’re complaining about your child, you may feel embarrassed or not even know where to start. And it’s totally ok to feel all these things.
But opening up and talking about your child and their needs is the only way to help teach others to accept your child and others with ASD.
Another way of doing this is by having a chat with their siblings…
Although nine times out of 10 other children, especially siblings, are so accepting of children with autism that it melts your heart… a simple conversation to help them understand a bit more won’t hurt.
I once worked with a teacher who spoke to hear year 2 class about how everyone can work together to help Theo in school. She told them a few things he struggled with and why and then finally what they can do to be a good friend and to help Theo in and around the school.
I thought this was a fantastic way to bridge the gap of awareness and acceptance and by TEACHING others key things about autism.
Because how can we expect people to know how to treat children with autism without understanding it a little first?
Something to think about. Anyway, while you’re here…
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Speak with you soon until then,
Live every moment, Love beyond words and make a difference today
Emma Ottaway
