I don’t know if you will find any events you can participate in, but no matter where you are, you can think today. 

Think of Pookie and how much we love him. 

Think of how his life will be different, but not invaluable. 

Think of the challenges Geetle and Giggles will face as they try to figure out what they see every day at home. 

Think of BAGD and I and how much extra time, effort, money and stress we face every day. 

Think of Pookie and how he is really happy to be who he is.  Its only the rest of the world who tells him its not quite “normal.”

Think of those “naughty” kids you saw at the mall and the parents that did not seem to even try to “control” them. 

Think about how those parents might be silently parenting the whole time, letting a boy be a boy, letting him blow off some steam, or just taking a break from the minute-by-minute efforts required to parent him. 

Think of how you would be morbidly embarassed if you showed up at a party and someone else was wearing the same dress as you. 

Think about how you want to be unique and stand out in a crowd, but are uncomfortable when someone acts “odd” around you. 

Think about how autism is an illness.  Think about how Pookie never asked for it, but he would rather have autism than not have a voice for singing or strong legs for jumping up and down. 

Think about how glad you are that society accepts us and our family and friends love us no matter what. 

If you want to do something for Autism today.  Send a few bucks to a charity searching for a cure.  I don’t know any, because I don’t have time to join the movement; I am too busy raising my kids.  The work they do is important and because I don’t have time to send them my efforts or money, I would be glad if you did. 

But if you really want to do something for autism today, seek out someone who will welcome your help personally.  Take a kid to the park, ask a teacher if she wants you to cut out PECS cards, give a parent a break, sincerely smile at a family under stress, pay for a park and rec class with an aide, sit down and draw with a kid, talk back with the echolalia, etc.