It's Autism Awareness month..........

April begins the month of spreading the word, and hopefully educating people to what Autism is. It seems odd, given the statistics of what the rate of occurrence currently is, that such a task is even necessary. By now, it should have touched your family, friend, co-worker, an encounter in the grocery store, etc.

Maybe it has, maybe it hasn't; maybe you simply weren't listening.

It is evident in the blog-o-sphere, that it hasn't reached everyone, or that what grasp they have on the disorder is limited, or even biased and misconstrued.

There has recently been some upheaval in the blog world over an individual potentially being unaware of the traits of Autism, and labeling the child she came across as simply "bratty" or "over indulged" by her grandmother. Those of us who have Autism in our life, very clearly assessed the odds that this child was Autistic, and that she was simply misunderstood.

And out came the wolves. Multitudes of individuals praising the writer for her disdain with the child's public behavior, the shared irritation they would have felt with the situation, and the applaud for her "normal" children behaving so well with the experience.

This is where awareness, has gotten us almost no where, and we have so far yet to go.

Some commentary was made from the other side (let's indulge and say "our" side), and explained that this child was most likely Autistic, and the subsequent nuances that come with her behavior. This caused some people who had been rather nasty, to take a step back, and re-examine their position. Yet others, wanted to hear nothing about it. These are the people that no amount of awareness, will change their view. They are of the belief that our children are not "normal" and therefor, should not have the same privileges as their children. This is an unfortunate perception in society, and some will even go on to say that our children are a drain on society, and not worthy of the cost or effort required to help shape them to be as independent and "normal" as possible.

First, there really is no such animal as "normal". There is the kind politically correct phrase of "neurotypical". And just what does that translate into: typical. Typical is average. Typical is vanilla. Typical is being awash in a sea of similarity, with no distinction. Typical, is having nothing special that sets you apart from the rest of the population.

"Normal" or "typical" children (and adults for that matter) run the risk of being a financial burden on our society. In reality, more often than not, it is the "normal" individual that costs us, not vice versa. They cost us in taxpayer dollars for incarceration, in increased taxes from failure to pay debt, in public defenders, drug rehab programs, and more examples than I can list. Some would argue then that these individuals are not normal either but then, who is? That would equate to a very small portion of society. Why are their needs and cost acceptable, and not our affected children?

Secondly, what expertise do such individuals have to determine "normal". Are you certain beyond a shadow a doubt that your own child meets the definition? What happens if down the road your child should be affected mentally or physically? Will they still be "normal" in your eyes (will you lie to yourself because not being "normal" is such a travesty). Or will you turn your back on them because they no longer fit your preconceived bias of how a child should be?

All we can do is attempt to spread the word of awareness and hope for acceptance. Unfortunately, there will be some individuals we'll never get through to.

I'll gladly take my atypical, non-average, more flavorful than vanilla child over your child any day. His uniqueness runs circles around your "normal" child.

End rant.