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every day is autism awareness day

Posted on May 4th, 2012 by Tracey

for autism awareness month in April, I didn’t do a great job in spreading the awareness. but then i think about it and this whole blog and what i do out in the community is autism awareness. it doesn’t stop on april 30. it’s every day.

talking to one of Jasper’s teachers at his day care, she asked when Jovie would be joining them there soon. updating her, she didn’t realise Jovie had Autism and we talked for a while about how Autism has effected our family.

that often happens, too. people say hello to Jovie in the elevator and wonder why she isn’t looking at them or doesn’t say anything. at the supermarket, people see Jovie’s long legs poking out from her stroller and give me that ‘she’s too big for a stroller’ look, or ‘why did you let her sit in the middle of the fruit aisle’ smirk. awareness is not easy, but i’m happy to explain as much as i can if people give me the time to do it.

there seems to be more coverage in the media & on the net about Autism which is awesome – Chloe Maxwell has written a book about her son Max and their life with Autism and a great new website Autism: In Our Words is now up and running.

one day when we’ve finished our genetic testing and have started school, i’d love to write my own book about our experience as a family too. (despite the fact that i’m no writer! i will figure it out). even though our diagnosis’ are similar, i can’t help but feel still different from any other family i’ve met or read about that is living with an Autistic child. (our paediatrician, this morning, said that our case was unique in that Jovie’s Autism is quite severe and that we may never know why she faces so many other challenges with her development).

at group meetings at Jovie’s school, i connect with the parents there in their grief and exhaustion, and i want them to come away feeling like they are doing a great job, no matter how small the victory is. i’d want people to know that we are trying everyday, and to try along with us. to listen.

A Day In The Life – April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day

Posted on April 3rd, 2012 by Tracey

What a day!! Teamed up with daylight savings, we were up early and stayed up late. I’m pooped, but had such a great time with my family and friends 🙂 I admit that I totally forgot to pimp out the Day In The Life photo project because I was so busy but nevermind, there’s so many different photo projects going on at the same time now anyway!

Here are my photos from my Day In The Life yesterday

A Day In the Life
8:10am – Making sure that the video is all up and running

A Day In The Life
9:30am – Icing the mini cupcakes for morning tea

A Day In The Life
10:28am – Ready for playgroup! All dressed in blue today

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World Autism Awareness Day

Posted on April 2nd, 2012 by Tracey

Today is World Autism Awareness Day! A day were hopefully a few more people get to know a bit more about Autism, and those who are living with Autism or have a family member with Autism, take time to come together and support each other.

I’ve been shooting some video on my iPhone in preparation for making a new Jovie-movie, and what better time to do it than for Autism Awareness day 🙂

If this is the first time you’ve come across my blog, or the term ‘Autism’ – here is a brief summary of what i know

Autism is a lifelong, neurobiological disorder that will effect 1 in 110 Australian children (and I think 1 in 88 American children). Autism effects social skills, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviour. Most children are diagnosed between 2 and 4 years old when Autism signs become more apparent – in our case, lack of speech, losing skills like interest in books etc.

Alot of children & adults with Autism also have sensory processing disorder, which effects how they tolerate sights, sounds, tastes, touch, motion. Often they are mistaken for being ‘naughty’ however that could not be further from the truth.

Imagine being asked to walk through a maze, that is filled with loud unrelenting horns, bright flashing lights, a wobbling floor. You’re to carry a plate of eggs and not drop them, and also complete your taxes at the same time, in a foreign language. That’s what Autism can feel like for some people – it’s all too much, and you don’t know how to start.

There is no cure for Autism. (Yes that is hard for me as a parent to say, but I do believe this is true). However with Early Intervention (ongoing speech therapy, occupational therapy, supported playgroups, support class rooms, Autism specific education), our children can develop those skills.

If you would like to read more about Autism, and how you can help, please visit these links
Awesome for Autism – my webpage about Autism
1000 Hours – campaigning to get a minimum of 1000 hours Early Intervention for every pre-school child diagnosed with Autism in Australia
Autism Awareness Australia

Today for World Autism Awareness Day, we will be going to our awesome Autism specific playgroup and heading out to the Sydney Opera House to see the Light It Up Blue campaign come alive. For the month of April, I will be posting more about our life with Autism and hope that you can share some info on your own blog, or Twitter or Facebook account.

Autism is a part of our life now, and while there are many challenges, there’s always alot of hope for a brighter future for our Jovie, and for our family.

Jovie