April is Autism Awareness month. I've known that for a while. I know a few people who have children with Autism and I've supported the cause of raising Autism awareness in the past, but this year it's different.
The recognized symbol/ribbon of Autism awareness is the ribbon with the puzzle piece pattern. It is supposed to 'reflect the mystery and complexity' of the autism spectrum. The various colors and shapes reflect the diversity of people and families living with the condition and the brightness of the colors symbolizes the hope that with raised Autism awareness, early detection, and proper treatment people with Autism will be able to lead fuller, more complete lives. This year this all took a new meaning for me. This year was the year that the Autism spectrum moved in to my house.
We had suspected something was up with our son for a while and when one of his teachers at pre-school noticed it as well, she mentioned the possibility of Asperger's. Soon after that we started the process of having him checked and diagnosed. Last month the diagnosis process finally came to a conclusion. Last month I got my piece of the puzzle.
You can read more about the Autism Spectrum at the Autism Society's website. From what I've read Asperger's is at the far end of the spectrum. If you met my son chances are you wouldn't even notice that he was any different from any other six year old. If you spent some time with him you'd start to notice his occasional speech oddities, extreme focus on what has his interest, and his need for an unchanging routine. Those were just a few of the things that pop up every day.
So now I have to learn again. I have to prepare myself so that I can help prepare him for the world. I have to grow beyond a passing knowledge of Asperger's and others on the Autism Spectrum and know more.
So that's what's up with the yellow puzzle piece in the logo. Yoni is our piece of the puzzle and yellow is his favorite color. He just as special and unique as always and he's mine and together we're going to fit in just fine.
