April being Autism Awareness and Acceptance month, I want to share a little inside peek to many who do not know why
I am such an advocate for awareness.
My oldest son Riley, now 7, shown here on the left with my arm around him, is on the Autism Spectrum, as they call it, if
Aspergers were to still be diagnosed as such, I am certain that would be his diagnosis. He also is ADHD, SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder)
and I am sure my wife will remind me of others I forgot.
I am going to share a secret that I haven’t really said since he was born. Before Riley, I was very against the idea of ADD, ADHD and any
other diagnosis as an explanation for children who were just spoiled brats whose parents were looking for an excuse besides their poor parenting.
These things didn’t hardly exist just a few years ago, and all of a sudden, you hear it everyday.I said these things looking down on the parents for not getting onto the kids freaking out, not standing still, or acting up. Medications were a scapegoat, easy way out and no way in hell would I ever think about it for my kid. EVER!
Then, Riley was born, our first kid. And magically since then, My entire outlook on life completely did a 180. He began memorizing books, then
reading at 3, on his own really without any real teaching from us. Amazing! Then as Kindergarten started, and as the teacher started contacting us, sometimes daily, I had to come to the realization
that I was wrong before. Completely wrong. I know Riley is a great Kid, no doubt about it, a genius literally, so why so much trouble at school.
The tireless pursuit of my wife, resulting in many tests, evaluations, observations etc….. she is winning the battle. I say she, because I mostly ride on her coat tails.
Medications help a little. Diet helps some. But love, and understanding are the MOST important.
I have been looked down upon, I have been stared at by strangers, thinking the same exact way I used to think. I wish I could explain right then and there to them, why, what, where, and how.
It just cannot be done. I try to spread awareness this way, online, Facebook, because I can’t in person, I am too busy in real life making sure that my child is well taken care of, and getting what he needs emotionally, when he needs it. All of this, while not taking anything away from his little brother, is a tough tough thing.
I guess, after all this rambling, I just want those who care, to not judge the little ones who seem like they aren’t listening to you,
who flap their little hands, only eat one thing for lunch every single day, the ones who have a hard time talking to you. Bumping into things seemingly on purpose sometimes, and lots of things that a lot of people consider weird, and try to avoid them, and to get their children to steer clear of.
I Need people to understand, be patient and compassionate, we all could learn a lot from these kids given the opportunity.
I am 1 million times a better person, all because of one little 7 year old boy, named Riley, who wears me out, drives me crazy at times,
and then I look into those deep eyes, and see how truly amazing he is inside and out, suddenly, none of that stuff matters anymore.
Next time you see a little kid by themselves, you know what I am talking about, go talk to them, you could be very very shocked
at what might happen.