Happy World Autism Awareness Day!
Today has me thinking of all the people in the world who I love with autism. My first "exposure" was the end of my sophomore year at BYU. I volunteered to be a program director for a service organization that took groups to do activities at a school for adults with autism. When I first toured the facility, I remember remarking to their recreational therapist, "Wow- they can use scissors? So high functioning." Derp. So naive and embarrassing.
People with autism can teach you things that no one else can teach you. Like how to connect with someone without verbal communication, or gestures. Or like how to love someone so deeply when they don't reciprocate affection in a way that you're used to. Or how to see past "inappropriate" quirks that the general population may scrutinize, or even pity.
Nonetheless, autism comes with the struggle- the feeling of being an outsider, not being able to express needs, or feeling overwhelmed so much of the time. The rate of diagnosis is so high, it should be considered an alarming epidemic. I hope research progresses. Until it does, I will consider loving these people with all my heart!
My OT classmates Lighting It Up Blue today
Some of my wonderful friends at Scenic View Academy. Man I miss this place.
Taken from the Clear Horizons Academy page. I loved seeing the progress these amazing kiddos make. They're the real heroes in this world.
