Shock factor

These are the statistics of children diagnosed with autism through the years...

 

The numbers are scary...

The costs of supporting children on the spectrum are increasing...

There is no end in sight...

Until we get the right awareness and the access to services that we need, the numbers will continue to shock people...

1 in 50:  my children are included, the children of my friends, the children of some bloggers I know...how about you?

Click if you want to find out more about Pour Your Heart Out. It’s about what you want to pour out: it’s personal, so there isn’t an assigned topic. It’s also about being supportive of others who are sharing: so visit other linkers and be kind with your comments.

Autism Awareness Day 2013

It's April 2nd and aside from it being the birthday of my twin cousins, it is also World Autism Awareness Day!!

To raise awareness people are asked to wear blue today and light up their porches with blue light tonight.

In honor of Autism Awareness Day I wore my PuraVida Autism Awareness bracelet that was being sold last year to raise money for the Autism Society of America. My cousin, one of the ones who's birthday it is today bought it for me as a gift last year and I have not taken it off since! (I couldn't wear blue because I wear a uniform to work but I'm still showing my support every day!)

See...you can tell its worn out....

Oh, and even my hair tie is blue!!! :-)

What are you doing today to raise awareness? Were you planning on something in advance? Did you just find out about it today? Are you affected by autism? I'd like to hear from you!!

Here are some pictures of places around the world that have already started "Lighting it up blue" for autism awareness!!

Aspen, CO

Empire State Building

Sydney Opera House

University of Connecticut

Graceland!!!

For my children, I love you!! You are miracles overcoming obstacles that nobody can even imagine in your daily lives. I am proud to be your mother!!

Color it Blue!: Autism Awareness Month is Here!!

It's time to bring the blue out!! It's Autism Awareness Month!!

If you haven't figured it out by now, Autism is very dear to me...my children have it. They fall all over the spectrum, neither one is like the other.

While there are many reports going around about what autism is, that the numbers are increasing exponentially, that there are people who believe in the cause being that of vaccines and mercury poisoning or dietary cures, all I am going to say is that the ony school of thought that I subscribe to is that of intervention and therapy.

There needs to be more awareness because while the numbers of children being diagnosed now are reported to be 1 in 50, awareness is not there where it is needed. Insurance companies need to realize the need for coverage of more than just occupational, speech, and physical therapy. Legislation needs to be revamped as well to make sure that children, adults, and families living with autism every day are protected. Education needs to be re-evaluated to take into account the abilities of the children instead of focusing on what they cannot do....trust me they will amaze you!!

Autism is not a disease, it is not a curse so we need to stop treating those affected by it as such.

So for this month, it is all about my children and raising awareness for their daily lives.

Join me tomorrow in wearing blue in honor of Autism Awareness Day!!

Also, light it up blue this month!! Change the light on your front porch to a blue bulb so that when you turn it on you are showing your support to the world!!

Thank you for your support!!