Let's Talk Tuesday: It's Autism Awareness Month, Again!

The years sure do fly by, don't they? I feel like it wasn't that long ago that I wrote my 2025 autism awareness post. For those of you who are new, my Middle Child was diagnosed with autism in the late 1990's. She is now in her mid-30's and has been successfully employed as a library page for nine years.

The last few years' posts, I've focused on the positive. She has a gift for music (has been playing the piano for over 20 years) and she loves doing arts and crafts. Back in 2020, I wrote this post about the hardships of finding friends and activities to be involved with (it actually had nothing to do with the pandemic). Well, how the tide has turned! Because she doesn't drive, I am her personal Uber driver. And I'd be making a mint this year! Here is a list of things she's done since the beginning of the year:

Met a friend for coffee twice. This is the young woman mentioned in the 2020 post who invited her into a friend group at church. 

Attended a community theatre play in which her childhood friend was performing. This is the only friend from school that she keeps in touch with (I don't count social media).

Birthday party in her honor, attended by 9 friends from the church group. Most of them are now married and have a baby or two, so it's nice that they still make time for Middle Child. She came home with flowers, crafting gifts, and gift cards, and felt very loved.

Baby shower for a friend (see above).

Lunch with a former library co-worker who is close to my age but still keeps in touch.

Bridal shower for the one friend she made at community college who is also on the spectrum.

Dinner with two women who were in her pandemic prayer pod at church. This was a Zoom group, but they've kept in touch and will go out to eat about once a quarter. The women are in their 50's-60's and are always good about sending her birthday cards, Valentine's cards, etc.

In addition, she and I have been volunteering together once a month. There is a local disability group that sponsors parties and outings for young adults with more complex disabilities, such as cerebral palsy and Down's Syndrome. Our role is decorating for the parties, setting up the games/activities, and putting out the food. Middle Child has often been asked if she wants to stay for the gatherings, but as someone who struggles with small talk, she is not comfortable trying to communicate with those who also have communication issues. We've been there when participants arrive and Middle Child is like a deer in headlights in those situations. Which is okay, because it is hard for me to know how to interact.

All in all, Middle Child is having a lot of social interaction. If you had told me a decade ago that she would have such a full calendar, I would not have believed it. We are immensely grateful to those who have made time for her in their lives.