Autism Unwrapped.

So, I'm supposed to be making you "aware" of Autism.  I guess to truly make you aware, I should pick one thing, one little thing, that helps describe this complex disability.  

This afternoon, I watched Brett wrestle with one of his little demons.  Bubble wrap.  We were down in the basement where I had some packing supplies.  For years, he has been deathly afraid of popping noises and explosions, and this includes bubble wrap.  Some people can't resist getting their hands on it and snapping all the bubbles until there's nothing left.  Well, one little snap sends Brett running for his life.  He flees, cries and begs you to stop.  It's torture.  At times just the sight of it, will cause him to run.  Afraid to come out of hiding, he asks over and over if "it's over".  This is where trust is so important.  With Brett, one thing Kyle and I have tried to instill in him is trust.  

The problem, however, is that not every one is trustworthy.  There are some that don't believe his reaction is legit; seems too extreme.  Some that think it's funny and some that are curious & mystified by his reaction, so they keep testing it out.  It killed me to hear that kids in the lunch room last year were popping their chip bags, to watch him bolt.  To me, it was a Kindergartner's version of bullying.  Some might take that as a sign that he doesn't belong there;  that an inclusive education is doing more harm, than good.  I beg to differ.  If these children don't know how to respect someone who looks, acts or sounds different than them, they need to learn.  And what better time to learn that vital life lesson, than in Kindergarten?  

Getting back to the bubble wrap, today I witnessed a little boy torn between facing his fears and running away from them.  He bravely sat with the bubble wrap in his hand.  Occasionally, he'd look up and ask for reassurance from me.  In a shaky little voice, he'd say "It's small?" and I'd say "Yeah, it's just a small noise.  A small little pop.  Do it!"  He wanted to pop one so badly.  He wanted my encouragement.  I wanted him to do it.  All I could do was be truthful with him and offer my encouragement.  

It didn't happen today.  It probably won't happen next week.  But if I were to measure success by his progress and determination, I would say he's 3/4 of the way there.  He will get there one day, I'm sure.  It will just be on his own time, for his own reasons.  It is nothing we can force on him.  All we can do is give him a little encouragement to reach his own goals, even if it is just bubble wrap.  To me, just the fact that he has those goals for himself and the determination to overcome his fears, signifies the possibilities for him are endless.  

“Our greatest strength as a human race is our ability to acknowledge our differences, our greatest weakness is our failure to embrace them.”  - Judith Henderson

*Thursday, April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day & the day I'll start selling Quote Canvases with all the proceeds going to F.I.R.E.  To read more about my fundraiser, cREaTing awareness, click here {or scroll down}.

*Please tell your mom, your sister, your mom-friends, your crafty friends, your blog friends, your Facebook friends ... I wish I could come up with an incentive for you, but consider it your good deed for the day.  :)  

*And if my Quote Canvases aren't your cup of tea,  but you still love F.I.R.E., you can click here to learn other ways in which to give.