I will be hypocrit to say that I was once ashamed to admit my daugthers condition because of the many misconceptions people have about having a child with autism.
No, I did not try to abort when I was pregnant. No, I did not have any miscarrieage in the past. No, it was not the vaccine administered to my child during her first years. No, they are not retarded either.
Did you know that in some remote areas they believe that having a child with autism is a curse? Or that autism is caused by evil spirits?
I remember when I was a little girl, we have a neighbor who has kids who are very peculiar, they behave differently, I didn’t know about autism then. Probably their parents didn’t know either because autism awareness just happened 10 years ago. So what they do is lock their child in their home and even chain them, yeah that bad and that sad. Because they don’t know what to do and they don’t know what it was.
Autism is something even neurologist, developmental psychologist, pediatricians, doctors and other experts don’t have a clue about. They have some ideas but the ideas are to vague but none can really point to the real reason. But they do agree in one thing it’s something about the brain. The brain is a complex human organ nobody has ever explored yet and so autism remains a puzzle.
There are many organizations here in the Philippines that can be a great support group for parents and children with autism like the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) who are critical in dispelling these wrong beliefs, and in providing support and services to families in provincial areas, specially the underprivileged.
April 2 will be World Autism Awareness day and I would like to invite everyone to order and wear this limited edition Angel Baller Bands now the proceeds will benefit the provincial chapters of ASP to help parents and child with autism with their confusion and bring them awareness that can ease them out.
To order, call 926-6941 or 929-8447 or email at autismphils(at)gmail.com or autismphil(at)ldtdsl.net
Autism Awareness is also dear to my heart and you know why Sis Earth. At this day and age misconceptions are still prevalent much to the sadness of parents, teachers, institutions, etc. This should not be the case and it starts with one post and one click. Happy to spread the word and support in any way I can. Cheers! =]
Wow! That is so nice to hear keep it up Ria we need more of you here!
Hi! Thanks for dropping by my blog…it gave me a chance to also drop by yours 🙂 It is nice to see how people are getting involved in Autism Awareness. Not only am I a preschool teacher, but I also am an associate psychologist with PsychConsult Inc. We work closely with many other professionals in trying to help not just children with autism but their families as well 🙂
thanks earth for always sharing and broadening my mind with your posts… by the way, i have a tag for you at http://www.mommyjourney.com/2009/03/penmanship-tag.html