Every year people around the world observe April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) and April as World Autism Awareness Month. What’s it all about? Why observe such a day?
The purpose of Autism Awareness is
- to bring the world’s attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions.
- to raise awareness about autism throughout society and
- to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention.
“Autism is a brain disorder that often makes it hard to communicate with and relate to others. With autism, the different areas of the brain fail to work together.”
A few months ago I reviewed two books that gave me much needed information and hope about autism. I believe they will help other autism families and anyone who wants to know more about this condition.
Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism
As soon as I started reading Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism, I knew I had found answers to many of my questions and ,more importantly ,fears about autism. The structure of the book parallels my journey with autism.
Part 1- understanding autism:
For the majority of my adult life I have understood autism as a physician, which means I understood little. My training and experience as a family physician taught me the basics of autism, but little of the treatment and of the condition. My few autistic patients went to developmental pediatricians , neurologists, psychiatrists,or psychologists so my involvement was limited to their physical needs.
From my limited exposure to autistic persons, I saw autism as a life altering, disabling , untreatable condition that disrupted families as they struggled to cope and manage.
Go here to read the updated version of that post.
A Different Way of Seeing Autism- a book review
“Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism” by Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP offers insights into understanding and living with autism. The book promotes a person-centered approach, emphasizing the importance of engaging, building self-esteem, and fostering joyful experiences for individuals with autism. Dr. Prizant advocates for working with their strengths rather than focusing on…
Uniquely Human was written by Barry Prizant, Ph.D.
not want to miss.
THE SPARK- A Mother’s Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism
Another book that encouraged me is THE SPARK by Kristine Barnett. When her son Jake was diagnosed with autism at 2 years old, doctors told her he would never attend school for “normal’ children. Undeterred, she taught him herself, building on his strengths. By 16, he was attending college- and helping to teach classes in quantum physics.
I don’t know if Mrs. Barnett knew of Dr. Prizant’s methods, but it certainly sounds as if she used them. Or maybe she just followed her motherly instincts. Here’s how she says it in the introduction.
“This book is the story of how we got from there to here, the story of a mother’s journey with her remarkable son…it is about the power of hope and the dazzling possibilities that can occur when we keep our minds open and learn how to tap the true potential that lies within every child. “
I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs or wants to know more about autism.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 