World Autism Awareness Day is one of only three official health related United Nations Days and will bring the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions. The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges.World Autism Awareness Day will shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. WAAD activities will help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism epidemic and will impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. Additionally, WAAD will celebrate the unique talents and skills of persons with autism and will be a day when individuals with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the globe.
My daughter remembers the birth date of virtually everyone she has ever come in contact with. This has been incredibly useful over the years to someone like me, who never knows what day it is, let alone that Grandma's birthday is coming up and that it's a 'big one!'
My daughter can also memorize the melody to any song, after hearing it once. We first noticed this at age 15 months when she was able to sing songs, on key, after hearing them once on cassette tapes from the library. It was rather freaky, but music has been a big part of her life ever since.
I can think of two 'spectrum' kids I know, off the top of my head. . .
ReplyDeleteOne was a kid 4M's age (so, now early 20s), who was pretty high-functioning, if a bit, um, eccentric (the last time I saw him, a year or so ago, he was a dead ringer for Scooby-Doo's Shaggy). I think he was particularly fascinated by military hardware, and Star Wars movies, and he'd expound at GREAT length on either topic. I only ever encountered him at the summer camp I've volunteered at for the past 20 years. I can tell you that I've rarely been so proud of one of my kids as I was when 4M chose him for his 6th-grade-canoe-trip partner, which meant that his trip would be considerably less goofball-ish, and considerably more taking-care-of-his-partner-ish. . .
7M has a classmate 'on the spectrum', and it has been wonderful to behold how all the kids in their class enjoy him. He's a great study partner, because he's so information-retentive. He's also been on the school basketball teams since 5th grade. When he was younger, he'd often get confused and disoriented on the court, and when he played, it was kinda like playing 4-on-5. But he stuck with it, and the past couple years, he's been a real contributor (and a surprise to the other teams who figure they can abuse him).
You go, Beej! And you go, daughter!
Excellent post, and thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteWell, as you know, a dear friend of mine in Florida has a son (22 years old) with autism and I have to chime in and say that he too has the same ability to memorize the melody to any song, after hearing it once! He adores music, therefore my friend gave him his own CD player to keep in his bedroom and listen to.
He has such a deep connection to music.
Again, thank you so much for sharing this post and bringing awareness to others.
((( You )))
Happy Monday, dear friend....X
Craig - Many kids on the spectrum are phenoms when it comes to 'stats' of something they are interested in, so the Star Wars and military hardware is not surprising. I know a boy who is obsessed with cars, so his parents take him to every car show they can find. My daughter's stats would be anything you could ever want to know about American Idol.
ReplyDeleteRon - Music does seem to be a connection for many of them! I have a feeling they 'hear' it differently than we do. Thanks for your kind words and support!!
I don't know anyone with autism but I'm intrigued by the unique skills you refer to. It would certainly be useful to be reminded of all those upcoming birthdays I tend to lose track of....
ReplyDeleteNick - She's saved my butt a couple of times with her early bird reminders! It's amazing to live with a 20 YO who wakes up and will say, "Today is my first grade teacher's birthday!"
ReplyDeletea very dear friend's son is quite severely afflicted and barely verbal. he has a really sweet nature though and a smile to chase away the clouds.
ReplyDeletemy cousin's son is also on the spectrum. he just has such a wickedly funny sense of humor. he's also terrific at math and draws quite well.
Hi Bijoux,
ReplyDeleteI know no one in the Spectrum but all I can say is God bless these children and adults.
I never knew so called "normalcy" having grown up with an emotionally challenged father.
I saw at a young age that different IS beautiful.
Wow, I had no idea such a day existed, what a brilliant idea! Your daughter sounds a remarkably talented and gifted child, Bijoux, you have good cause to be v ery proud of her (smile).
ReplyDeleteMy Sam memorises every route we've ever travelled, which for someone as spacially challenged as me, who gets lost just crossing the road, is an absolute Godsend. If he's sitting in the back of the car and I take a wrong turn, if he pipes up, "No, other way." I never question he is right, and immediately backtrack on his word. HOWEVER..
A little while back, when this happened, Sam couldn't stop giggling for a good ten mins - I finally persuaded him to tell me what it was that was so funny.
"I lied." said he. (!!!!!!)
He also is a walking encyclopedia on anything and everything to do with our TT motorbike races over here, can name the bikes, riders, events, times, etc., ad nauseum - and he LOVES to share (which can be a bit of a mixed blessing)..
Ooops, another thing, out of all my kids, he is truly the most reliable - if he says he is going to do something, he does it. His chore is to take the bins up the drive, and to empty all the internal ones, and I never need to nag him (smile).
ReplyDeleteLime - Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing!
ReplyDeleteBarb - Thank you also. Different is beautiful!
Shrinky - You have your own personal GPS! That is truly an amazing talent. And I cracked up at his little prank on you. Mine will also immediately say, "I lied" whenever she does. And she's also my most reliable as well! I think the two of them would get along famously!
I don't think I personally know anyone. But I can't imagine remembering a first grade teacher's birthday... or being woken up to hear that fact! I find the uniqueness of people to be fascinating. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a childhood friend who we believe suffered from Autism but it has not been confirmed. One thing I remember about his special talents is he used to fixate on different things in the dictionary and learn EVERYTHING there is to know about them. I remember him explaining to me EVERYTHING there is to know about toilets! lol!
ReplyDeleteMe - You touched on an important point....even though people on the spectrum share similarities, they are all very different and unique.
ReplyDeleteVie - That is actually a really cool talent. And I could certainly learn a thing or two about toilets!
I bet my daughter and yours could fill a solid coffee date with American Idol gabbing! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post!