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It’s Autism Awareness Month:
How Aware are You?
If it seems like every time you turn around, you’re hearing about another child
being diagnosed with autism, you’re right. The newest statistics are staggering: 1 in
88 children, and 1 in 54 boys, is diagnosed with autism, commonly thought of as a
“complex disorder of brain development” according to Autism Speaks.
While increasingly prevalent, autism is alarmingly misunderstood. Never was that
clearer than in the days following the tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary School, when
media outlets nationwide falsely linked autism with planned violence.
The thing that makes autism awareness so difficult, and therefore so necessary,
is that it varies from person to person. While autism is, according to Wikipedia,
“characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted
and repetitive behavior”, there is no “one-sized-fits-all” diagnosis, or treatment.
Sometimes, autism can be associated with an intellectual disability; other times it is
associated with genius. Sometimes autism is associated with a lack of speech; other
times it is associated with incessant talking. Some with autism shy away from touch;
others hug strangers. Some on the spectrum seem removed from the world around
them; others can explain to you in very clear terms the pattern our world makes up in
the universe. There is confusion even among those involved in the autism community—
some seek a cure for autism, while others dispute the idea of autism being a disorder
at all, preferring it to be considered a difference.
If I’m not making much sense, or if these things seem too different to be considered
part of the same diagnosis, then you’re catching on.
At its crux, autism is a puzzle. (Hence the puzzle piece as a symbol of autism). Of all
that has been learned about autism—and a tremendous amount has been learned—
perhaps the most important is that no two people with autism are the same, just like
no two typical people are the same.
The Boardwalk Journal tapped into some local autism advocates to ask them what
autism means to them, and how awareness can happen effectively.
Here’s what those on the front lines want you to know:
“I wish for more autism acceptance, not just awareness. I want to debunk the stigma
surrounding autism, so that the next parent of a newly diagnosed child doesn’t cry
herself to sleep at night. Autism is not a death sentence; it is not a killer of dreams. I
want a future in which my child is proud of who he is and comfortable in his own skin. I
want our children included, not just in the “I-passed-the-basketball-to-an-autistic-kid”
included, but included in a way that “you-don’t-have-to-use-his-label-before-you-talkabout-him”
included. “My child deserves it. Not just because he’s autistic, but because
he’s awesome.”—Shannon Costal, Blogger, HighFunctioningMomism.com
“What autism means to me has certainly changed over the 10 years since we got
my son’s autism diagnosis. We roll with things, and we have all learned to adapt our
schedule to how his day is going. It certainly has been a learning experience, but my
perspective is someone else out there always has it worse than you, so just roll with
it. Good days far outnumber the bad. I would love for people to have tolerance and
acceptance for anyone that has any special need. Teach this quality to your children. A
kind word or a smile goes a long way on a tough day!”—Kim Goodman, Board Member,
FACeS4Autism
“We’re all one in this life together. I believe labels are to help us understand each
other—not to define the person we are. We all are dealing with our own labels. My goal
is to make the children I work with who have THIS label feel like they are no different
than their peers and thrive in an inclusive school setting.”—Christine Perro, Special
education Support, Upper Township School District
BuBBles4AuTism
Local autism support group, FACES 4 Autism, will sponsor its annual Blow
Bubbles 4 Autism event this year to help raise awareness as part of Autism
Awareness Month. The bubbles initiative, spearheaded by FACES 4 Autism
Executive Director Isabelle Mosca, is now in its 10th year. Held on April
22 at 1:15pm, the event aims to raise awareness for autism as well as
spread bubbles of hope to families dealing with autism. Last year, over
57,202 people, in over 300 venues across the globe participated. To join
in the fun, and bring more awareness to autism, groups and schools are
encouraged to contact FACES 4 Autism at bubbles4autism@yahoo.com,
or visit their website at faces4autism.org.
42 | The Boardwalk Journal | April 2013
The Atlantic City Jitney Association
serves the needs of the local community as well as the millions of visitors to Atlantic City.
We provide convenient, on-time transportation to various points in Atlantic City.
Jitney Routes
Route 1
New Hampshire Ave. to Jackson Ave. via Pacific Ave.
Route 2
Golden Nugget, Harrah’s, Borgata via Delaware Ave. to Pacific Ave.
Route 3
Marina Area-Borgata, Harrah’s, Golden Nugget via Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Blvd. to Inlet on Pacific Ave. New Convention Center/Train Station, Bus Station
Route 4
New Convention Center/Train Station, Bus Station via Pacific Ave.
from Jackson Ave. to Indiana Ave.
1616 Pacific ave., atlantic cit y, nJ • www.Jitneyac.com
For information about Regular Jitney Service, Train Station Jitney
Service, Lost and Found or Ticket Programs, call
609-344-8642