This Friday marks the beginning of a new month—April. For most people, the first day in April signifies a day of practical jokes. However, this year, the 1st of April takes on a different meaning: the beginning of Autism Awareness month. For families across the globe that means turning their light bulbs blue, joining walks for autism, and getting together to spread the word about autism.
To a vast majority of the public, autism is a relatively foreign subject. The only connection most people have with autism is from what they see on television or in movies such as Rain Man. But the reality of autism is much different then what is portrayed by the media. With a spectrum covering such a wide variance of individuals and abilities, most new parents of children with autism find themselves lost in a vast sea of information, not quite sure where to start. And with the rate of autism rising, more and more families are finding themselves stumbling around in the dark for answers.
In response, the Center for Autism and Related Disorders has decided to film the daily life of first-time parents whose son was diagnosed with autism. Each week we will share their experiences as they deal with insurance companies, treatment, family, expenses, and work while raising a son with autism. We hope to shed light on the world of autism for others to see, providing a resource of information for families across the globe to relate to and use.
We encourage our viewers and readers to dialogue with the featured family and share tips, stories, and advice. Don’t be shy to post your comments so that others experiencing a similar situation can use these videos as a resource for information on autism.
Please join us next Monday, April 11th for our first installment of The A-Word. So, without any further ado, we introduce the family we are following: Mike, Cheryl, and their son Jack Riley.