By now most people have heard the CDC's newest statistics that 1 in 88 kids in America is on the Autism spectrum. It now qualifies to be identified as an epidemic. That means 1 in every 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are on the spectrum. Some of the rise is due to professionals being able to diagnose it more easily, and with knowledge becoming more widely available, parents are now starting to recognize the symptoms of Autism on their own, things that might have otherwise been dismissed had they not heard of Autism or known someone on the spectrum. But while awareness grows, these new numbers will frighten a lot of folks who don't look deeper.
When each of my sons was first diagnosed, I felt devistated. My kid is diseased, I thought, he'll never be "normal". I spent a great deal of time and energy on apathy, and dreading the future outcome of my sons' lives. But as each has grown, they have blossomed. They have distinct personalities, fraught with quirks, brilliant observations, creativity, and pure unfilter love. Their capacity for deceit is low and their capacity for love is sky-high. They don't always conform to societal or gender norms, and I think that is brilliant! Society is wrong in so many ways, and for them to be rebels against some of the things that confine us is a freedom most of us will never have the luxury of having. Not that they're aware of it. Yet.
Very few days pass without me being gratful that my kids are verbal (they still have communication issues, despite), and that they can adapt/adjust to the changes their daily lives lead them through. They have remarkable, inspiring individuals helping them through the tough times, and for all the challenges they have to face, they are so strong and resilliant. I know a lot of people have a much worse situation than we do, and I feel blessed every day that we have the tools and the strength to handle whatever life throws at us. For me, Autism has touched me so profoundly that it has given me direction in my own life, and given me purpose. But it has touched me in the sweet, wet kisses that taste like cherry Chapstick and the gentle sigh that comes with pressure in just the right spot. Everyone has something that makes them unique. For me, Autism is just that, a little something different that makes a person extra special, and ultimately, extraordinary.
