Did you know April is Autism Awareness month? I'd prefer we change it to Autism Acceptance Month---trust me, I'm aware. In fact, with the incidence rate at 1 in 68 (1 in 54 boys), autism has reached an all time high in recognition and diagnosis.
I think most everyone has heard of autism at this point--and almost everyone knows someone with autism. Yet, we have trouble sometimes finding acceptance for people on the spectrum. I find it frustrating that because my son doesn't "look" disabled, he is not always given the accommodations he needs.
Yet, every so often, there's a glimmer of hope in the storm. When he gets nervous, or excited, or upset, he has to get sensory input to offset the emotion. He will try to get it by jumping or pacing...or if we are at home by jumping on the mini-trampoline, riding his scooter or his bicycle. When we are in public places, this is harder to do. You get some strange looks for jumping in a store for "no reason." He's learning ways to cope and how to find sensory release that is more socially acceptable. I've noticed he will tap his toes or drum on his leg with his thumb to get some sensory input and release the tension. I've noticed he might find a small hallway (such as to a bathroom) and pace in the hall where he's out of sight.
I enjoy seeing him grow and learn to deal with his sensory needs.
Check out these other fantastic posts as a part of the Sensory Blog Hop:
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5 comments:
Love the term Autism Acceptance Month! Also love hearing about your kiddo finding his own ways to acquire his sensory needs. My son is just now (7 next week) at the point where he is telling me when/what bother him (sometimes) but still unable to find his own way of dealing with issues.
My son is older and doesn't seem to want suggestion these days ;)
But I see him doing similar things to coolest mommy's so...he's learning and growing in his own way. ACCEPTANCE is the WORD!
Love,
Erin - I'm all about Acceptance. I'd hazard a guess that most of the free world is 'aware' already. And for your 7yo, keep the hope alive. It has gotten better over time.
Full Spectrum Mama--we're hitting those fantabulous (ha) teen years. He's 13 now and I'm watching the hormones kick in. I'm sure he won't want my advice, but while I can slip it in, I'm trying to help him develop coping mechanisms.
Thank you for sharing this! I love reading that he is working on providing his own sensory input when he gets close to over stimulation. What a powerful thing for a child to know! I can sympathize with you when you said that working on sensory input that doesn't look awkward in social settings is hard. My son hangs upside down regularly, which is fine at home, in public, though...not so much. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences!!
I know how you feel about some people not understanding that your son has struggles, because they aren't obvious at first. It is the same with my little guy. Friends and family try to assure me that it will all be alright and try to downplay his autism, but it doesn't really work that way, does it?
Acceptance is key; thanks for sharing!
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