There are 365 days in a year, and as someone with a deep relationship with autism, there is something I’m very grateful for: there is one month of the year dedicated to those with and/or affected by autism. One month of the year where society as a whole chooses to stand tall in recognizing and celebrating our trials, tribulations, and triumphs. They may not understand everything, but in this one month they can empathize with our feelings and provide us with their faith, love, support and unity. This is the month of April—for April is the month of Autism Awareness.
As part of the autism community, I feel it is my duty to help share awareness and use my knowledge, education and hard work to empathize with others .
How can you and your family show your support for those with autism?
Build a community
Lots of communities hold events for those with different kinds of special needs. If you have not explored the opportunities that are offered in your community, I really urge you to do so. This is a great way to meet others that live in the same area as you.
Finding a support system in your community is a huge help. I’m not the first to acknowledge that everyone needs a friend—one who truly understands and can help you on your journey.
Celebrating through social media
Speaking of sharing, do you use social media? There are many different platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, to name a few. Have you ever thought about sharing your love and support for autism on one of these platforms? In doing so, you would be helping to spread awareness, acceptance, and appreciation. You would also show support for the services, help, and strength it takes to walk down the long unpaved path of autism.
Autism Speaks’ initiative: walking
Walking is another great way to show your support. Autism Speaks is an organization “dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.”
Autism Speaks hosts several “walks” all over the world for the purpose of raising funds for those with autism. It is also a great way for those in the surrounding communities to get together to show solidarity. In a sense, we all can stand under the same umbrella.
If you visit the Autism Speaks website you will find a page dedicated to their walks—you can enter your location and find a walk close to you. You will also find their motto: “our goal remains the same: to come together to raise funds for people with autism and their families.”
Speaking of going places, do you go out to a nice dinner, or plan a fun day full of different activities? Is there a certain tradition you follow from year to year? If you were to share awareness, how would you/do you? What is it you’d say to show support? How loud would you say it? In a world where it only takes one voice to say it, and one ear to hear it, and one moment to do it…what is it you would say to show your solidarity?
