Noah's Journey Day 1 Inspire Compassion, Inclusion and Hope

If you know me, than you know that April is Autism Awareness Month. It is kinda a big deal in my house. Noah likes to wear at least something that is blue every day. He is not ashamed of Asperger's. He is not afraid to tell people, "Yeah, I have Autism". He is ready to educate the world. Luckily he doesn't have to do it alone.

Saturday is the fourth annual World Autism Awareness Day. This is big deal to me. Why? The UN declared in 2007 that April 2nd of every year would be a day of World wide Autism Awareness. This is huge because only three specific diseases have been given worldwide awareness status by the United Nations. When the resolution was brought before the General Assembly it garnered census support from EVERY member of the United Nations. The resolution encourages all members to put into place measures to raise awareness through their societies and encourage early diagnosis as well as early intervention. This shows that the prevalence is having a world wide impact.

A global campaign helps to give Autism a spot light for communities to gain a better understanding. World wide there are events that aid in a deeper knowledge of the disorder, impart education on early diagnosis and the benefits of early intervention as well as increase compassion. These events help to celebrate the unique talents and skills of those on the spectrum as these events help the communities to embrace them and their amazing abilities.

A global day of recognition gives voices to the millions world wide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and in need of help. While my heart is easily found in four parts running about the house. I can't help but feel so much for those parents who are at the end of their rope trying to understand why their child is behaving, or not behaving a certain expected way. I feel for that mother who gets the stares and dirty looks at the grocery store when her child does or says something that seems to be odd or different from what people expect. I feel for the sibling who has to explain to their friends that their brother or sister has autism and they don't know how. I feel for the little boy who plays by himself on the playground every day because he lacks the social skills to communicate with his peers. I feel for the teacher who has a classroom of 35 students and she doesn't know how to help that student who rocks in his chair and obsesses with the buzzing sound the florescent lights make.

Will you consider learning more about Autism? With the rate of incidence now at 1 in a less than 100 it is possible that you know someone who loves a person with autism. What will you do to inspire compassion, inclusion and hope?