Autistic children need our compassion, not blind censure

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http://www.freelancestar.com/News/FLS/2003/042003/04202003/940232

Because April is Autism Awareness Month, I thought that we, the parents of a 6-year-old autistic son, should write a few words on the subject.

We would like to ask people in our community to not judge or criticize things that they don't understand. The old saying "walk a mile in his shoes" really does apply here.

You don't even want to imagine what we deal with every day: our child's inability to say "I love you," or to convey when he is hurt or afraid, or what he wants to eat for dinner. Then there's the inability to take our 6-year-old to a movie, birthday party, or church without fearing a meltdown and the accompanying stares and comments.

Please know that people like us need your understanding and sometimes even your assistance--but not your ridicule. Remember, this is a disability, and these children are not "brats."

Educate yourselves, because today's "typically developing" 2-year-old could be tomorrow's autistic 4-year-old. That's right. You could be us in two years (go to unlockingautism.org). One in every 250 children has autism. It's more common than Down's Syndrome.

To our son's teachers, Ms. Olive and Ms. Carlin: We love you and thank you for all you do every day. You are both exceptional human beings.

To our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers: Thank you all for your love, support, compassion, and understanding during the good times and the bad. We couldn't do it without you.

To our son, Jacob: Thanks for being you! We love you just the way you are, and we know that you are going to grow up to be an awesome human being. You are our hero each and every day.

To our son Nathan: Thanks for being patient when you sometimes get set aside while we deal with your brother's problems. You're a very special little guy and we love you so much.

Daryl and Trish Urnosky

Spotsylvania

Date published: 4/20/2003

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