What Everyone Should Know About Autism

Obviously, autism rates on at the all time high. A common fact is that 1 out of every 150 children has autism. Recent studies have upped that and it is now said that 1 in every 110 children have autism. Everyone should be aware of these staggering new rates and consider the risks of getting a child vaccinated. Along with this, children are being diagnosed sooner. Braxton was diagnosed at the age of two, which was a common age for most children. However, now children are being diagnosed within their 24th month.
There's several more cool facts out there, but these really shocked me. This website helped me out.

Random Facts

It's becoming difficult for me to come up with more things to post a blog on involving autism. But, since there's only two more weeks of school left, I feel like I can handle just two more posts.

This week I figured I would google some things about autism and post some things that I thought were cool. Some of these things I didn't know myself...

Like, I didn't know that autism was once considered a form of schizophrenia. This seems weird to me because I've seen cases of both and they seem so different. Another thing I didn't realize was that approximately 67 million people worldwide are affected by autism. That's a lot of people.

Some more cool facts:

• In families with one autistic child, the risk of having a second child with the disorder is approximately 5%, or one in 20.
• Some cases of autism may be associated with a family history of manic depression.
• From the Greek autos meaning “self,” autism literally means “alone."
• There is no blood test, no scan, and no image that can detect autism. Diagnosis relies on behavioral observation and screening.

So, I must admit that this is all off of the internet. However, I like to think that I know my fair share about autism. I really enjoy learning more about autism and I can only hope that one day I'll learn that there is, at last, a cure.

I got these facts from this website.

Memories

As it's getting later in the year, all I can think is, "Oh my goodness, it's almost summer!" It's kind of insane how fast this year seemed to go. Thinking back, memories of junior year seems to be so much more of a blur compared to the other years. I wish I was able to remember how I used to feel this time freshman year. Or how I felt all the way back in middle or elementary school. I can remember what I wore on these days, but it seems more difficult to remember feelings verses these memories.
To think that this is nearly the opposite for an autistic person. Their mind is composed of feelings and thoughts. Spending a majority of your time daydreaming and thinking, it's no shock that most of what those with autism remembers is how they felt. I can bet that Braxton remembers how he felt and his thoughts on his very first day of school. However, I doubt he could tell me, in description, what his classroom looked like. Recent surveys have shown results from questions like these that were asked to autistic adults. I won't go into full detail, but it was pretty cool to see just how true this really is.
Just proves how much more complex the autistic mind is compared to an "average" mind. Maybe one day we'll be able to "get into" an autistic mind. Until then, we can only imagine.

Famous People in the Autism Spectrum

I was surprised to find out that Albert Einstein, the "smartest guy to ever live," had autism. It makes sense to me considering that people with autism seem to have a different mindset and a different way of thinking. I also found out that many other famous people in history may have also been included in the autism spectrum:

Bill Gates, Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson, Beethoven, Van Gogh, Mozart, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Edison. It's crazy to me to think that I didn't know this before. It just proves that autism shouldn't have to hold anyone back, that they can still be anything they want to be; a poet, an author, a famous composer or artist, or even the smartest person to ever live.

Vaccines and Autism

In everything I read or see on t.v. about Autism, they always mention how vaccines are the cause. My sister is another big believer in this. Although it's not proven, researchers say that the Mercury found in almost all vaccines is what eventually leads to slow developing of the brain. This, they also say, is the cause of other disorders like Aspergers disease, which is really simular to Autism. Crazy to think how something that is supposed to cause prevention and do well for a child could cause such harm. As I get older, I want to learn more about this, because I have also heard that Autism is genitic; that both the father and the mother had what it took to cause it. But, this believe is becoming more and more popular. Jenny McCarthy has written about vaccines in all of her books that she has written about Autism.  "If the vaccine companies are not listening to us, it's their fault that the diseases are coming back. If you give us a safe vaccine, we'll use it. It shouldn't be polio versus autism."

Autism Walks

I hate that this year will be the first year in a while that I won't be able to go to any Autism walks. Usually, there is one in Terre Haute that we go to. We did last year and I loved everything about it; the walk itself, the people my family and I met, and hearing several inspirational stories throughout the day. I was looking foward to one in Indy, however, this year (this month especially) is way too hectic for my family and I to make it. It makes me frustrated, but I can only hope that it works out next year.

Austism Awarness Month

I wish the weather was warmer. Just yesterday it had snowed for several hours. However, I'm soo glad it's finally April! This means that the school year's finally almost over and the weather will at last warm up... hopefully. Along with the warm weather rolls in Autism Awarnes Month. At this time of the year there are several different Autism walks and other things going on that I like to go to. However, tomorrow, the first day of April, is the biggest walk of the year and it's always during the school day. I really wish I could go. I'm sure April first will end up landing on a weekend some year. Until then, I hope there will be other events my sister and I can go to. This is why April is my favorite time of year.

Terre Haute's Children's Museum

Not too long ago my brother and sister's families came down and we all set out to go to Terre Haute's new Children's Museum. It was super cool and I think my sixteen-year-old niece and I had more fun than the three younger kids. This place is very tiny, but it has enough cool things to do that I'm sure we didn't see it all. The reason why I bring this up is because of how disability-friendly the place seemed to be. Sometimes Braxton gets overwhelmed in places that have a lot going on, however, the museum had seperate little stations that were set-off from the others that allowed him to do his own thing. The miniature grocery store was my favorite. :)

Jenny McCarthy





My sister is obsessed with Jenny McCarthy. Jenny is a famous actress, author, model, and comedian. She had a son, Evan, back in 2002 who was diagnosed with Autism. Since then, Jenny has written several books about her expierences with motherhood and Evan's Autism. Even though my sister pretty much forced me into reading one of her books, I would never admit to her that I've read all of her books. She has a new one coming out soon and I'm super excited. My favorite so far: Louder than Words. Jenny is also very active with Autism, hosting events and running donations. She is truly inspiring and it's no wonder why my sister adores her so much.

Clock Work

It's hard waking up in the mornings. Especially when you're woken up, five in the morning, to screaming and someone jumping on your feet. This is how I would wake up all last week when Braxton came to visit. I didn't even bother setting my alarm clock, Braxton made sure to wake up just in time. "Get ready for schoooool!! Get up, get up!" Lately, Braxton has been obsessed with schedualing. When he's hungry, you better have lunch ready at noon. Sharp. When he's ready for bed, his head must hit the pillow at nine. Sharp. Likewise with all the pills and supplements he has to take everyday; you better have them and a glass of water ready by the time he needs them. It's just another funny thing I noticed when watching Braxton last week. This kid never gets boring.

Braxton's Improvement

This weekend Braxton came over for a visit. It was a full house with my brother, his wife, and two kids, and my sister, her husband, her daughter, and Braxton. It seems like everytime Braxton comes over, it's amazing how much he has improved since the last time I saw him. He talks a lot more and is interested in what people have to say. A year ago, we would never expect anything like this from him. A year ago Braxton would hardly even make eye contact with anyone and the only time he spoke was to get someone's attention. It truly is amazing how fast he is improving with all the medicine and the diet he's on. Now that he's improving as much as he is, I think it is likely that Braxton may end up just like every other "normal" kid his age.

"Warning: Braxton's Butter"

Every family meal we have together my mom has to be careful about what she fixes because Braxton has a broad list of thing he can't have. My sister has him on a gluton free diet. This means that Braxton can't have diary, breads, sugar, or anything that has gluton in it. Diets like these are supposed to lower the Mercury level in the brain which is associated with Autism. It's a pain in my mom's neck everytime she has to fix dinner for everyone, but it has made such an aprovement for Braxton.

We even have a drawer in our refridgerator for Braxton with things like dairy-free butter (yeah, there's such a thing) that's labled "Warning: Do Not Eat!! Braxton's Butter." I tried it on accident once... it's quite disgusting.

To be Care-Free

"Autism is about having a pure heart and being very sensitive… It is about finding a way to survive in an overwhelming, confusing world… It is about developing differently, in a different pace and with different leaps."



I can't imagine living in a world where everything seems overwhelming and confusing. A world where everyone is constantly judging me because I'm different and it's obvious. It's sad to me to think that this is the world that Braxton must live in every day. Mustn't he notice that he's different? Mustn't he care? I'm not so sure he even notices and I know for a fact that he wouldn't care if he did. I think this goes for all Autistic people. They all seem so independent. It must be inside them. Sure, they're dependent on others, like we all are. But there's something so different in them that makes them so care-free. Autism doesn't have to be defined with all negative details and explanations; there's some good in there too.

"He's Autistic."

So, I figure it'd be a good thing to explain a little more on what exactly Autism is. I know so much about it that I no longer have to use Google to help me out.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It's a mouthful to say, but breaking down the word can help you to understand its meaning. 'Neuro' refers to the nervous system, in this case the brain. Attach this to 'development' and you can figure that Autism can easily be defined as a disorder that effects the development of the brain. This explains to me why Braxton sometimes has trouble understanding simple things and why he is slow with some of his motor skills.
Sounds pretty basic so far, huh? However, Autism is a complex disorder. If it wasn't, we'd have a known cause of it and a cure for it by now. What makes it so complex (besides the fact that we know little about the cause) is the effects this disorder has on the brain.
I'm going to use Braxton as an example for this. When Braxton gets frustrated (and it's not hard to frustrate an Autistic child) he stims, or tenses up and moves his fingers in an uncontrable way. When this happens he often squeals jibberish in a high-pitched voice and rocks back and forth. Stimming is extremely common in Autistic children. It may look funny to other kids his age and gets people's attention in public, but it's just one thing associated with his Autism that is uncontrable.
He stares off in space with a glazed over look in mid-sentence. He runs off in a store when our backs are turned. He yells in pain everytime the air conditioner kicks on because it "hurts his ears." All these things that Braxton does can be explained with one sentence: "He's Autistic."
It hurts everytime we're out in public and people stare at him in curiousity. It's embarrassing even. However, Braxton doesn't care one bit; he still flashes a smile when he makes eye contact with them. And that's why he's such an amazing kid. I'll never be embarrassed when I wear my Autism Awarness necklace or drive around with my Autism magnent plastered on my car. I'll do it any day for Braxton.

Socks, Water, and Calendars

Ever met a six year old that was obsessed with socks? How about a five year old overly interested in water? An eight year old who memorizes dates in calendars? Stumped? I imagine.

Braxton differenteiates people by whether or not they're wearing socks. "Megan's wearing socks. But not on March 12th. She wasn't wearing socks that day!" Or like the time he met my friend, Cayla: "Cayla's got her socks on! Cayla's got her socks on!" He refuses to drink water because he'd rather stare at it. He remembers the last time our family got together, including the time each family member left.

He's unique in every way and  never fails to make me smile.

Braxton's Story

Family has always been important to me. My sister, Carrie, is sixteen years older than I am. Regardless, she's one of my best friends. When she gave me my niece she gave me another best friend. Chelsea is only a year and a half younger than me. We tell each other everything and I couldn't be luckier to have such a close, reliable family.
When I was nine Carrie had a son. Being the only boy in the family he got spoiled quickly. Chelsea and I would dress him up and make him tag along in every game we played. Little did we know that very soon things were about to change.
When Braxton turned two, he was diagnosed with Autism, a development disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction. That's the Google translation that we got when our parents tired to explain it to Chelsea and I. In lamest terms, Braxton wouldn't turn out like other kids his age. He wouldn't talk as much as the others. He wouldn't make as much sense. He would most likely end up in special classes at school. All of this meant but one thing to Chelsea and I: Braxton wasn't normal.
As we got older it became easier for us to understand just what our parents meant back then. With each year Braxton fell further and further behind in development. He looked the same as everyone else, but we like to believe even cuter. By the age of four Braxton was still not talking, he would only say simple words like "yes," "no," or "mommy" and "daddy." However, this kid was smart. He would lay on the floor for hours, just looking at the video boxes. The next week or so he would be sitting at the computer typing out every video's name and the description of the movie that he memorized from the back. He would memorize every word he could and later he would type them all out on the computer. Needless to say, their computer soon became full with files.

Braxton's now eight years old and it's fair to say that his Autism hasn't held him back. He talks (sometimes too much) and is capable of carrying on conversations. He still loves to write. His new obsession is calendars. He enjoys memorizing special dates like birthdays and holidays. This progressed into him memorizing every family visit (time and date) and on what day of the week my birthday will fall on when I turn 34. His Autism doesn't and will never define who he is. He will continue to grow stronger and who knows, maybe even defeat Autism.