April is Autism Awareness Month, but if you’re like our house, autism awareness happens every month. That’s one of the reasons I love this shirt on ThinkGeek.
Neurodiversity is a movement centered around the philosophy that autism isn’t a disease. It’s a difference in development. Sure, it’s also a disability, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate the child we have instead of longing for the child who will never be. For more information on how this plays out for us parents, I recommend watching Loving Lampposts or reading Unstrange Minds.
If you buy a Neurodiversity shirt from ThinkGeek this month, all the proceeds will go toward neurodiversity advocates, ASAN.
ASAN, or the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed by autistic individuals for self advocacy and public outreach. Through my work organizing a regional autism conference in Kansas City, I’ve met both of the co-founders, Ari Ne’eman and Scott Michael Robertson. (Point of trivia: Ari Ne’eman is the first openly autistic White House appointee. ) I’m happy to support them in their advocacy efforts, and I’m proud to think that someday my son may join ASAN himself.
The shirt comes in adult and kid sizes, so you can find one to fit yourself or your loved one of any age. If you’re going to buy a shirt, there’s less than a week to do so. Buy it during Autism Awareness Month, or as ASAN better puts it, Autism Acceptance Month.
http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/welcome-to-holland.html
Short little essay that does a beautiful job tackling some of the points you mentioned