It's April ! No fooling, despite the recent snow and chilly temperatures, Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month is here. Just yesterday I got an email from the Autism Society suggesting that the time for awareness has passed, that we perhaps should think of Autism Appreciation? Until your life has been touched by autism I don't know that you can truly be aware, or appreciate autism, and acceptance is a difficult hurdle for families.

  Acceptance of our children comes easily, we love them unconditionally the day they are born, and an autism diagnosis does not change that. Like our other children, our role as parents includes shaping their behaviors, teaching them and supporting them until they are ready to leave the nest. An autism diagnosis doesn't change that either, although it does perhaps change HOW we teach them and what we need to teach them and how we shape their behaviors but the job description of parent is still pretty much the same. We all struggle sometimes with what is autism and what is simply a child testing limits, and to a degree it doesn't matter, we need to nurture and guide all our children so that they can take their place in society. Acceptance that our children will learn differently and that it may take longer before they are ready to leave our nest is where we sometimes struggle. Acceptance that somethings we can not change is the most difficult. 

   When we speak of Autism Acceptance in the context of our society, we speak to creating a greater awareness of the unique talents and gifts our children have to share with our community.  For too long developmental disabilities have been seen and approached using a medical model, which focuses on illness and cure. We need to change the dialog about autism from one where we discuss the deficits, the challenges  and  "missing pieces",   to a support model where we discuss the supports our children need to be as successful as possible, to contribute what they have to the fabric of our society. Until we learn to speak in terms of positives and abilities we set the stage for our children to be seen as less. 

   This is the mission of our Center, to support families raising their children on the spectrum. To accept and cherish each and every child and adult who is different. To provide families with the tools they need to parent their child and to help spread a positive message that will dispel years of the dark and hopeless view of  autism. 

   We do this 365 days a year, and have been doing this for 17 years. We could not do this without your help and support.  I hope to see many of you not only at the various events this month, but also when we come together on April 26th at our Community 5K Run & Walk for Autism Acceptance to celebrate and honor the strength and determination each person on the spectrum displays as they face the daily challenges their autism presents to them, and to applaud and appreciate their unique strengths and talents.  

   As I said, we've been doing this for 17 years, somethings have changed but the core values and goals of the Center have remained the same and always will be the same. Last week I told you  we had some Big Surprises planned for this year's walk. I can't tell you exactly what that is, but we are working hard to be ready on the 26th.  You'll need to register to be part of the day and as always, your efforts to fundraise will be greatly appreciated, without that support we wouldn't be the Center that we are. We are slowly building momentum and are about 1/3 of the way to our goal ! Thank You! 

This project began last fall when we met with students from Fitchburg State and we have continued to refine and develop ideas through the winter and spring. This is part of a greater plan to continue to make the Center the BEST place for families. So, what's the big surprise? Here's a hint! 

"What's in a name ? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet" ~ 

William Shakespeare

Have a great week 

Sue