We Celebrate Knowing

Today, March 21st, is the one year anniversary of the day we spent in five appointments at the University of Iowa only to go home with a PDD-NOS (Autism Spectrum Disorder) diagnosis for Deane.  This is a day of celebration for me because knowing the answer to many of the questions and concerns is so liberating!  April is Autism Awareness Month and it will be celebrated around the year in so many ways but here are a few ways you can celebrate it:
Light It Up Blue - on April 2nd, homes and buildings around the world will "light it up blue" by placing blue lights in their exterior light fixtures. 
Learn What Autism Is - knowledge is always he first step to advocating for others

Help your kids become advocates for other kids with autism - Because every child is different, this is no easy matter, but a parent's attitude toward kids with special needs will shape their child's behavior.  There are a number books about autism for kids like Ian's Walk: A Story About Autism. You can explain:

• Children with autism need friends just like other kids
• People with autism need others to be patient with them because they may not communicate as easily or have trouble with sensory input that don't bother others
• Some people with autism have trouble with change of environment or schedule.  It helps to warn them and understand their behavior may be related to this.

Wear it on your sleeve (or shirt) - The puzzle has come to symbolize autism and can be found in ribbon form.  I would be happy to send a puzzle ribbon to anyone who would like (just tell me where to send it).  "The puzzle is said to symbolize the mystery and complexity of autism. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of people and families living with this developmental disorder. The brightness of this awareness ribbon signals hope. Hope that through research we will soon identify the causes and a cure for autism. And hope that through increasing awareness of autism, with the disorder will lead fuller and more complete lives."
Participate in a Walk Now For Autism event - these are held all over the country at different times of the year.  It was held at the end of April in the Quad Cities.  Many smaller market walks are not listed on the linked site.
Specifically in our local area, we work with two great non-profits that serve kids with autism.  The Quad Cities Autism Center (providing ABA therapy to kids with autism) and Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities (who serve children with all types of disabilities) have both been extremely helpful in supporting Deane's growth in the last year.
In the year we have been living this autism family life, we have learned so much about what families endure.  We are extremely lucky for many reasons, the greatest of which is the transforming experience that has allowed us to more fully understand and help our son.

I plan to share more about our autism experience in the coming month.  We have to get celebrating!