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Autism Vox

How Do You Wear Your Autism Awareness?

by Kristina Chew, PhD on June 28th, 2008

She Knows has a list of 11 Pro-Autism products; as some of these bear the light blue puzzle piece logo of a certain large autism organization that recently threatened an autistic t-shirt maker with legal action, I guess the “pro-autism-ness” of the She Knows products is open to a bit of debate.

Especially around the time when my son had just been diagnosed and for some years thereafter, I appreciated the “statement” that comes with puzzle-piece decorated items (well not just any, but that’s me). There were a few occasions when Jim and Charlie would be in a store and Charlie would be hum-talking and jumping with great exuberance and persistence and some one would look at him and say “he’s nuts!”, whereupon nothing would seem easier than for Jim to point to his t-shirt and say “read this.” (Sometimes, he’d just point.) I still turn my head when we pass a car with a puzzle piece magnet and I do like to see a bumper sticker proclaiming “I love someone with autism.”

Now, though, I feel no need to make such “statements.” People notice Charlie being “different” before he’s even done anything: I think this has something to do with the way he holds his body; the fact that Charlie does not say the things expected of a child of his height (especially compared to me—am no more than 5 feet tall); the way I hover when we’re crossing a street or in a crowd; my reminding Charlie 5 times to put the shopping cart under the counter. It’s also the case that, now in my 11th year as the mother of an autistic son, I feel extra-aware that are a little more than curious, but also have gotten in the habit of shrugging them off and moving along.

I hope, simply, that wherever we go, a little more “autism awareness” grows.

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POSTED IN: Disability Rights, Parenting, Stereotypes

18 opinions for How Do You Wear Your Autism Awareness?

  • Bonnie
    Jun 28, 2008 at 6:44 pm

    Kristina, I so can relate to people staring before Casey does anything “weird”, and as in your case, I believe it’s in his gate, the way he carries himself for sure. I guess if I really cared about what people thought I would wear an Autism Awareness shirt 24/7, but I don’t, and I won’t. I sorta feel like people should have enough common sense to think, geeze, maybe that kid has some sort of disability or issue. I know unfortunately most people don’t and for them, I just assume ignorance and move on. I have found my best avoidance tactic is not looking at people in the face as they pass when I’m with my son and just look over and around them. It makes life so much tolerable, and less negativity bubbles in me! Casey could care less either way, he’s lucky!

  • Kristina Chew, PhD
    Jun 28, 2008 at 7:01 pm

    I do the same thing—just keep my gaze focused on something else (a goal like the door, or the next aisle in a store) and keep moving. I’ve also found that (especially in Charlie gets upset in public) it helps to just act very calm and blasé. I think people look to the parent to see what her/his response is and if we can show it’s under control (despite what one might feel!), it makes a huge difference.

  • Bonnie Sayers
    Jun 28, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    I just ordered a tshirt from autism bites the other day for Matt at camp. I think it is the one that says no mute button and has a funny smile.

  • Bonnie Sayers
    Jun 28, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    Here is an interesting comment section from an article online:

    http://www.topix.net/forum/source/twincities-pioneer-press/TTTDBIUSMRKBMQ4C7

  • Bonnie Sayers
    Jun 28, 2008 at 10:22 pm

    I just learned that the Gov of Montana has a kid on the spectrum.

    http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/06/27/bnews//br83.txt

  • Bonnie Sayers
    Jun 28, 2008 at 10:22 pm

    I just posted a link about the Gov of Montana who has a son with AS.

  • Kristina Chew, PhD
    Jun 28, 2008 at 10:37 pm

    Wonder if any autism legislation, initiatives, might result in that state?

  • Kassiane
    Jun 28, 2008 at 10:57 pm

    The Gov of Montana’s kid is AWESOME. He’s around my age, and smart. My bet is on Montana being the first state getting their head out of their collective behind regarding services ALONG the spectrum for all ages.

  • Phil Schwarz
    Jun 29, 2008 at 1:57 am

    We have this bumper sticker on both of our cars.

    It was designed by TR Kelley of The Raventones, who gave a concert at Autreat 2006, and also led a workshop about the community in which they live.

  • sharon
    Jun 29, 2008 at 7:03 am

    I really like that duck shirt. ;)

    I have a couple of rainbow ribbon pins that I used to wear on my purse. I met a couple of other moms with them.

    I don’t let people know about the autism unless it is necessary. Most can tell A is different by looking at him. Could it be him wearing his backpack in a grocery store and pointing out what kind of lights they have? ;)

  • farmwifetwo
    Jun 29, 2008 at 7:41 am

    I have a magnet for the van. Also, I’ve never hid the kids so their “quirks” are very normal at the bank, stores etc that we shop at.

    I’ve had very kind people help us. I’ve had ignorant people make comments. The first are the majority, the 2nd usually shut up the moment I look at them and say “Haven’t you ever seen a child with autism before”… I’m not nice if you’re rude to me first, and I’m not embarrassed by my children, to call it as I see it.

    S.

  • Kristina Chew, PhD
    Jun 29, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    I do kind of like that duck shirt too…..

  • Regan
    Jun 29, 2008 at 2:17 pm

    Phil Schwarz,
    Coincidence. We had the pleasure of listening to the Raventones and TR Kelley yesterday. Eleanor rocked out on the music, and TR Kelley gave a brief talk on Neurodiversity and gave the crowd a chance to purchase some buttons as fundraising.
    If I had to buy something, I might get one of the “Autism Rocks” stickers or gear from KindTree productions, since they use the money for their projects. I prefer it to the puzzle stuff.
    I guess our autism awareness is that where we go, Eleanor goes, and we go everywhere. I suspect that’s similar to lots of people. Back in the day when there were uncomfortable situations, after early on I guess my response and focus was mostly what made sense or we needed to do, and it’s probably impolite but I really didn’t notice other people that much.

  • hammie
    Jun 29, 2008 at 6:22 pm

    I’ve always found that strapping a red flashing light to our heads helps.

    Nah, not really. I take Boo almost everywhere and like Regan, as we live in a small seaside village, people are either used to us or too polite to comment. I have had major meltdowns in video shops and not an eyebrow was raised (or police called thankyou)
    And we have had the scream-a-pillar in the local Health club pool; (Bratty has ADD and Autism and she took against a fan sound) And again, no eyebrows, no judgemental stares and just a quick “can I give you a hand?” from one of the desk staff as I rushed to get her out of there.
    They were perfectly fine when we went back too.

    I think like Cristina, Boo and Bratty are now tall enough to be quite different from what a child of that age should be like, and most people can work it out for themselves. And if they cannot and they hassle me; I kick box them to the ground and step over their lifeless bodies to the cheers of all bystanders who throw flowers as we make our exit………

    xx

  • Kristina Chew, PhD
    Jun 29, 2008 at 10:13 pm

    Also helpful is a quiet smile to further indicate, things are ok, we’re moving on.

  • sking
    Jul 21, 2008 at 3:20 pm

    FiveHumans, http://www.fivehumans.com/autism, offers a fashionable and unique autism shirt for men, women and kids. 10% of the sales price is donated to Autism Speaks. They also support other causes including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

  • MomtoJBG
    Jul 31, 2008 at 12:14 am

    I’m not crazy about the puzzle items, but I’d like a “Some of my favorite people are autistic” bumper-sticker if I could find one.

    We had an incident at the airport yesterday when we dropped off a rental car. I didn’t feel I needed to explain anything (one twin screaming “Bye, bye, Hot Potato!” while the other twin plugged his ears and cried). Too bad Michael Savage guy wasn’t there to tell them to act like men!

  • Elizabeth
    Aug 17, 2008 at 10:40 am

    I like to incorporate little things in my everday life involving Autism. I am a teenager with an Autisitc brother, I wear an Autism ribbon belly button ring. I also have a autism ribbon pin & autism speaks puzzle piece, I have placed these on my purse to show my love and passion for my brother and others. I work with autistic children in the summer and plan on becoming a Special Education teacher. People know so little about how big autism is. My brother is my hero and my inspiration.

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