Well April is here and tomorrow is World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). Many people within the autism community state that every day is Autism Awareness Day, which is true, but I think that if we have a designated day especially to raise autism awareness and acceptance, then why not embrace it? It’s all good!
I hope that I play an active role within the autism community, in that I write and share stories of interest for Autism Daily Newscast. I have the absolute privilege of writing about some truly inspirational individuals and services/companies etc. that play an active role in helping, inspiring and empowering individuals on the spectrum.
On a personal level, I write about my son and what we get up to, as a family, in the hope of making parents out there feel less alone. I hope that I help to signpost parents and to share those resources that are out there and can help them. At the end of the day, I know autism from the perspective of my son, as a parent. I know his autism, but every individual is different, so every child with autism is different. As the saying goes, once you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.
So what does Autism Awareness Day mean to me? I suppose it is a day of celebration, when the autism community unites, although there may be opposing viewpoints, we all want to raise awareness. As they say, no man is an island.
I also feel that WAAD and Autism Awareness Month is a time in which to connect with others, share ideas and learn what is going on in our community and the wider world. Social media is fantastic for this.
I like to look back and see how far we have come, but more importantly how far my son has come and what he has achieved. I am so proud of him.
So let’s celebrate all of these wonderful children, their siblings and parents, and wider family.
Today is for you all.
Finally, here are people in the autism and special needs community who have helped, supported and inspired me.
Lucy Ellis who runs the North Lancashire Directions Group
Anna Kennedy OBE
Kevin Healey
Michelle Daily
The National Autistic Society
Tricia Wilkinson
Lune Park Children’s Centre, Lancaster
Julie Ellsmoor
Olley Edwards…
Happy World Autism Awareness Day to you all