There is a very special little boy in my life. He is sweet, brilliant and a joy to be around. And he has been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), commonly known as Autism.
I have known this little boy since birth and he has taught me so much. I've learned to stop and watch the ants because they really are fascinating and I've learned how truly noisy a quiet house can be. I've also learned that no matter what we might label someone or how we might decide to categorize someone, the truth is that they were the same people before the label. The same wonderfully loving, charming people.
Today is World Autism Awareness Day. I'm wearing blue to show my support for the Autistic community and one little boy in particular who is near and dear to my heart.
--Jessica
Thank you for writing this beautiful post. I think I'll wear blue today in honor of that sweet little boy in your life and to say thank you to all the "labeled" people I know who have taught me what life is all about.
ReplyDeleteI work with a young man labeled as Autistic. He is a gentle 'boy' with a great heart. He loves books. He has taught me that the world we read and the one we write, the world so busy with symbols and sound on the written page can best be spelled by one word, quiet.
ReplyDeleteAs you, I am blessed to be 'charmed' by this young man.
To all the best on this special day.
nn
Great reminder. I'll don blue!
ReplyDeleteI knew nothing about autism before meeting the special girl in my life. She has taught me the value of attention, of slowing down, of focus. She reminds me daily that everyone--not just autistics--sees the world a little bit differently. Reality is an experience unique to each human being, and sharing that experience enriches us all. We are not rubber stamps or carbon copies. I am a better person for knowing her. Thank you, Jessica, for reminding me of that.
ReplyDeleteI have a thirteen year old autistic son. And I know it sounds like a cliche, but I've learned more from him than he'll ever learn from me.
ReplyDeleteJessica, thank you for this post. My oldest son, 10, is on the autistic spectrum. As challenging as he can be, he's the most wonderful thing in my life
ReplyDeleteMy six year old son is autistic and what a journey it has been! I would never have chosen this for him, but now I wouldn't change him for the world. He is such a joy to be around, I'm honored to be his mama.
ReplyDeleteI have 5 kids. My youngest son was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of Autism, when he was 2 years old. Just a few weeks after I gave birth to my 4th child. Our oldest was born w/ Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us and for spreading the word.
HollyD
I've spent the last 35 years writing 5 books...in large part because I'm Autistic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support!
Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteThat special little boy and I are so very fortunate to have your friendship and support. :)
I have a son with autism. He has been the most wonderful eye opener in my life. I love him. Thanks for the great post. =)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI've never commented on your blog before, but this post was too beautiful for me to sit back in the digital shadows and say nothing. Thank you so much for sharing. That little boy is quite lucky to have somebody like you in his life!
ReplyDeleteAm now going to change into a blue t-shirt and sit down to finish Jodi Picoult's latest novel, HOUSE RULES, about a boy with Asberger's. It's an amzing read.
ReplyDeleteI have an eight year old autistic son so I know exactly what you mean. Blessings to you today. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteWatching ants sounds like a great way to pass some time.
CC
My oldest daughter is developmentally disabled and although not autistic, has many similar behaviors. Now 18, she has a steady boyfriend who is sweet, loving, tall, good-looking, bright, athletic, and on the high end of the autism spectrum. He's perfect for her.
ReplyDeleteI'm wearing blue today and thinking of him, the two little boys I buddied at church years ago, and all of the adults with autism I know through my daughter. And I'll think of your little guy too.
Thank you for the reminder, and yes, I'll wear blue today. Huge blessings on your special little boy, and to all the parents on this blog who have children who are autistic.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely, thank you! I'm the parent of a PDD child and we have navigated many of those lessons ourselves. Here's what autism looks like in our lives:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/notes/tee-iseminger/what-autism-means-in-our-house/383689568769
Thank you. I'm the mother of a sweet five-year-old autistic boy. Autism defines our lives in so many ways, but it's not entirely bad (as I typed this, he's singing in the bathroom). It's a learning process for all of us. Some days we learn more than others.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to wear blue but I'm thinking about the two little boys who my fiance has been teaching recently and who have inspired him to consider getting his masters in Special Ed. :)
ReplyDeleteVery well said! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this.
ReplyDeleteYou reminded me I should take more time sitting quietly with my autistic boy. He's 21 now, and still our sunshine.
Lovely. I didn't know, but I'm glad I wore blue coincidentally :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's the people who have to work the hardest who make the most difference in other people's lives. If people would look beyond a disability, they'd see how precious people really are.
ReplyDeleteIf I'd have checked earlier, I'd have worn a blue shirt, too.
From myself, my 8 y/o Autistic son, and our family ... thank you for spreading the word. It's a truly eye-opening world to be a part of.
ReplyDeleteJessica, what a beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. It touched my heart. My seven year old grandson is on the autism disorder scale, one of his problems being PDD. I have learned so much from this beautiful child. He reduced me to tears when he said, "I'm not stupid, Nannie. I'm just different." How true. I've had them staying with me for the Easter holidays. First I fretted that I wasn't getting any writing done. Then I relaxed and have enjoyed my time with this wonderful child. Nannie is learning a lot.
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