The United States of Autism
Just an hour ago, the movie trailer for The United States of Autism movie was posted to YouTube: http://bit.ly/hEooYb
This looks like it’s going to be a great insight into the lives of families affected by autism. I remember watching the tweets and Facebook posts when they filmed it a year ago, anticipating the movie’s release. Several of my Twitter friends are in the movie, and while they’re not telling details, I think it’ll be quite informative.
Recent statistics show that about one in 100 children recently born are on the autism spectrum. That means it affects everyone within a few degrees of separation. Look around you. If you have 500 people in your office, chances are one of them is on the autism spectrum. Chances are a dozen or more have family with some form of autism.
Autism affects everyone differently. On the positive side, you have brilliant scientists (Einstein) or actors (Dan Aykroyd), record producers (Michael Buckholtz, former producer for MC Hammer), and the random genius programmer who talks binary. Underneath that brilliance is usually social awkwardness to varying degrees, and a few other personality differences.
For many with autism, neurological differences are more obvious and life impacting. Some have trouble with speech, spatial perception, motor coordination, perhaps they can’t speak at all. Carly Fleischmann is one example – a teenager who until a few years ago could not communicate in any verbal or written form. She taught herself to use a PC keyboard, writing a few words at a time, and now in less time than the average child learns to speak, she is crafting entire blog posts with remarkable linguistic skills and a great sense of humor.
For another segment of people with autism, the neurological differences are severe enough that, whether child or adult, the person is unable to care for themselves. They rely on family and friends, perhaps health professionals, for the most basic needs.
Today, April 2, is World Autism Awareness Day, part of Autism Awareness Month (April). The autism community wants you to first be aware of what’s going on outside your immediate circle of influence. Autism is a part of your life, whether you realize it or not. All humans are connected, and what affects one affects us all. If your knowledge is limited, you may benefit from a little research. For example, watching The United States of Autism when it’s released.
My request to you: Keep your eyes open. Learn what autism is, and what these families’ challenges are. Think of ways you can help someone near you. If you don’t know how, don’t shrug it off. Ask.