It is that time again! The Hope and Freedom Film Festival in Long Beach California! Truly an inspiring mission being layed out for stories to be told. Important heart-filled stories. Stories to inspire dialogues that change things in our world. Examining human nature and why people do what they do?!! Putting spotlights on injustices and many ‘under the surface issues people battle against!’

Nothing new about that on the AutismHWY! That is why we are 1000% behind this fantastic FILM FESTIVAL each and every year! This Saturday May 12th come on down to the Art Theatre on 4th st in Long Beach. 10:00 am will begin the day.

 Between 10:00 and 12:00 you will be treated to a Student Congress organized debate. Where selected High School and College students will kick-things off  debating a community chosen topic. 2 debaters will be awarded $250.00 cash! One recipient will be decided by an audience vote and the other recipient will be chosen from a panel of experts! Fantastic start for a very spirited day!

The 1st film will be at 12:00 noon: “THE END/ BEGINNING: CAMBODIA”

This film shows how the end can sometimes be the beginning of something precious, as families valiantly escaped from Cambodia. 

Directly after the film at 12:30 there will be a very important speaker; an actual  refugee from 1981 Dr. Sam Keo. Dr. Keo has been helping others by working as a Clinical Psychologist for the County of Los Angeles for 20 yrs. He will be able to speak directly about the experiences portrayed in the riveting film after his many years of healing.

At 1:30: “ERASING HATE” is the documentation of a former violent ’skin-heads’ transformation outwardly and inwardly.Byron Widner attempts to erase the hate and escape that former hate fueled lifestyle as he erases his menacing tattoos one after another. 

At 3:15: “THE MOVEMENT: One man joins an uprising”  The story of one man’s return to the mountain that changed his life forever.Joining the ranks of people that have overcome physical limitations. People whom have been told by professionals that they would/could never do something. This film focuses on the human spirit that fights back against that and refusing to hear the word “never.”

At 4:15″FROM THE GROUND UP”This entry is the story of NYFD widows and their children making sense of the senseless after the 9-11 attacks. The challenges, tear drops and laughter are documented as they bravely move forward without their fathers/husbands.

Two of these families have children with Autism. After it’s conclusion I will have a moment to speak to the issues in the film. I will also take a moment to tell the audience about the incredible positive movement we are a part of here on AutismHWY.com!

At 5:00 we will see “THE END OF THE WORLD” A silent movie  artfully depicting the story of  a solitary man in search of work and food in his torn down city after the economic fall.

At 5:15 “WHILE WE WATCH” is a gripping portrait of the Occupy Wall Street movement. This film provides witness of a new dawn of the power of people and social media!

6:30 will bring on “CONNECTED“ a funny, eye opening and inspiring film. Go on a rollercoaster ride of discovery as to how technology has changed our idea of what ‘being connected’ means in 2012!

At 7:55 “GOOD THINGS ARE ALWAYS HAPPENING” This is a quick uplifting film about love and fate and proposition 8! Hitting on the importance that lies within

8:00 marks the The final film for 2012 ”BRINGING KING TO CHINA” This is the story of a father and daughter passionate about their missions in life. The film creates a cross cultural dialogue about the current relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophy of peace and non-violence.

What a thought provoking line-up a fantastic Saturday adventure! Afterwards at 10:00 pm many festival participants 21 & over will adjourn to the 4th St.VINE 200 feet from the theatre that will remain open until 12:00!

Dont forget to buy raffle tickets!! All day they grant prizes to lucky ticket holders! This year we will donate a Raffle package that will include: The making Friends with Autism Coloring Books, Debra Hosseini’s tHE ART of AUTISM book and Silke Heyer’s one of a kind Art Bags!!

SEE YOU THERE!

I believe most families living on the Autism Spectrum have. It is a very splendid thing to experience. As families take their journey on the AutismHWY you often  find that comforting place. A place of acceptance, of love and celebration of diversity. This is what I am talking about. A pure belief in the human spirit not colored by others expectations and the ever-shifting standards of “human normalcy.” Barriers must be broken down to get to this place we will ALL hopefully travel to. To “see” and experience this incredible phenomenon.

How many years have people struggled with differences? Some will say going all of the way back to the beginning of time, perhaps when that ‘1st apple’ was eaten. It seems so ridiculous that we as “thinking” people cannot accept diversity. We freely admit we are all ”like snowflakes.” We seem to enjoy that fact, repeating it as a mantra  and passing it down  generation after generation. Why then do we fall short living up to that precious belief? Is it fear of the unknown?  Is it narcissistic ranking and status seeking? Our hearts and our minds tell us that  tolerance is the kind and gentle way to live. Yet, everyday examples of intolerance surface all over the world.

 Intolerance is something Aut-families walk through everyday like a minefield…sometimes it is NOT just intolerance. It is intolerance peppered with a great amount of ignorance. (A quite rancid seasoning to add!) Autism has a way of humbling a family. The family soon realizes that extra supports are needed and adjustments must occur. Soon you realize what we should all, already know. That being of service to others is a very rewarding and noble way to live your life. So often we see siblings and friends of the Autistic population growing up to be super people. Kind, loving and tolerant! There is no room for the “Me,Me,Me” mindset it just doesn’t fit into our big picture!  I often wonder is that the reason that we see so much more Autism…this colorblind rainbow?? Is Autism bringing the world together? Teaching the world tolerance on a whole other level…one family at a time?

I was lucky enough to have a chance to speak about this April 22,2012 on the Lisa Ann Walter Radioshow on Clear Channels KFI. Dana Commandatore from www.rethinkingautism.com  and I were happy to start clueing listeners in to our BIG PICTURE….our ‘color-blind rainbow!’ About 30 minutes into the show Dana and I had an hour block of time to chip away!! Click this link and listen in:

http://www.kfiam640.com/player/?station=KFI-AM&program_name=podcast&program_id=LisaAnnWalter.xml&mid=22020324

Learning to accept an alternate lifestyle can be hard for many people. Afterall we are spoon-fed what we should expect in life. The problem with that is the many hands and many interests holding those spoons. Many people have lost sight of so much in the fast paced world that we live in. It seems we will “eat” anything!

I would like to think that people will wake up when Autism joins their family and set their tables for diversity. The bounty you will find there may be unexpected and perhaps not what you ordered but, it will feed your soul like nothing else you have tried.

Am I crazy to believe that Autism is a way for the world to see the proverbial “forest through the trees”? A way for people to get a hands on experience to a type of diversity that will change their lives. Opening your eyes to the ways we are all different and how those differences teach us great truths about who we are as people and how we should be living. How we should be treating our families, our neighbors, our friends. Serving others to gain a better insight into humanity. This is the ‘Color-Blind Rainbow’ Autism has brought to my world that we should all be grateful we can see!! 

Whew….I am soO happy and still processing all that occured during our 2nd Annual AutismHWY.com Chalk Festival!!  Wyatt and I feel especially blessed to have this fantastic spectrum of friends! The day was a true success in every sense of the word! Making friends with Autism was on all of our itineraries for FUN.

I do believe that happened for all in attendance including Mr. Kevin Stapleton the mayor of Covina!! 

 He was having a grand time meeting the many talented individuals the Chalk Art attracted. He heard the many stories from families and friends. He spoke eloquently when Exceptional Minds was given their 2011 ANCA Naturally Autistic Award, and he was down with the Artists as they colored perceptions experientially! Truly awesome. He took the time to talk with most every person there. It was a pleasure to see the expressions of joy, validation and self worth this triggered. I am wishing for April 2013 already!! Funny just how contagious this chalk-joy is!!  Have a look for yourselves…….  I want to thank everyone that made it to the event!! A very special thankyou to multi talented artist/actor/singer songwriter Michael Harding for taking the time out to sing his awesome  Autism anthem” Change a Life”…you Rock Mike!!

PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US IN 2013!!!

This friday the 13th is full of something other than superstitions!! It is about empowerment for families on the spectrum!  Special Needs Network Inc. plans an attack! Information that will be useful as families navigate through the complications that arise within the Autism Community. Our children are special and demand special services and supporters!

Plan to attend The Tools for Transformation Conference Advocates Summit and Reception on April 13th 2011 at the Radisson Midtown @ USC 3540 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, California!

NEW 2012 TFT REGISTRATION

Please CLICK on the registration form and connect with this Special Needs Network of professionals and advocates that care. Care about the quality of life for a population that is emerging and changing…not to mention GROWING…as the CDC  just put out the 1 in 88 stats this week!

Tools for Transformation Conference is a free conference, and serves families all over Los Angeles County. There will be 12 workshops lead by incredible experts in the field. Also featuring an amazing Advocate Chantal Sicile-Kira as a lunch program speaker! In addition they will be giving away a few iPads!!

We highly recommend you check this out! VERY Awesome!!

So often she is not even considered a “girl”. When people on the net see Leo they assume she is a man! With her name “nicked”~ Leonora  can fool the best of them. Her assertive and even aggressive style is almost always mistaken as “male energy.” I have seen her in some heated debates with individuals…ending in her opponent being stunned once her gender is revealed…haha. A woman?? But, she is so direct, so unabashed…so unafraid? Precisely!

PRECISELY what we need! Our Autism It GIRL. Leonora Gregory Collura. She knew she was operating differently  as a young girl and learned to adapt in her amazing life…not recieving her diagnosis of “Autistic” until she was in her 30’s. She used her unique mind and talents to help others like herself without realizing , that she was. Her intuitions have served her well and she is a brilliant gem in the spectrum crown. Having traveled the world as a child she has a very worldly perspective. The enviornments that her parents placed her in have shaped a very cosmopolitan person. A very cosmopolitan Autistic person! What is that?, you say…haha~ Often what people are left saying after experiencing the energy that IS Leonora Gregory Collura. She is a whirlwind!

A whirlwind with the vision of a prophet! Her hopes and dreams for Autistic people evolved over the course of her lifetime. It is a passion for her. Her company ANCA Naturally Autistic has been supporting real understanding for families! Nearly 2 decades of investing her heart and soul helping people to understand the Autism Paradigm “from the inside out!” Supporting individuals to be aware of their unique “systems”, teaching them to harness that energy to be as effective as they can be in their daily lives. INVALUABLE in my opinion. We need this type of methodology everywhere.

In 2010 Leonora and her partner, husband Charlie Collura set out to raise the bar for Autistic People and the way in which the world views them. With the creation and implementation of The Annual International Naturally Autistic People Awards! ( & in 2011 adding a CONVENTION!)

That first year’s event in 2010 was exhilerating! I was a part of the ‘on-line team’ and was very excited to promote this kind of accolade for a society of people in waiting. Waiting for their chance to shine! People flew from all over the world to Canada for a chance to take place in the prestigious night.To be a part of history! By all accounts it was a fabulous event that started the ball rolling. Rolling like a snowball in this decade of GREAT CHANGE!!

In 2011 that happened…the Nominees and participants DOUBLED in size as new countries and talents joined in. An awesome CONVENTION was added and interactive workshops intensified the meaning of the entire event! Seeing Autistic people wowing and experientially teaching the crowd…again PRICELESS! I hopped on a plane and attended the festivities!

 As I have said before it was an experience worth waiting my whole life for! I serendipitiously turned 50 on the magical weekend! I never felt so UP-LIFTED in my life. The energy and happiness that we all experienced was undeniable! “Change” was one of the guests at this convention!! “IT” was present! In the voice of a young girl proclaiming she would be a part of the organization as long as they were NOT “Curists”. Upon hearing that the room was stunned and Leo’s greatest dreams were actualized in the heartbeat of that moment!!

The community is “getting it”and coming together proudly in a powerful way!Through the voices of the young people striving to emerge, as Leo had done in a much different world years earlier. Now, she was here and equipped to bridge a path for these emerging Autistic adults. Helping them gain exceptance and recognition to nurture their resolve. The resolve Leonora was born with.  The plans for this year’s 2012 event have been in full swing. The amount of work OUR “It-Girl” and her staff does to produce this event is staggering. Not only is she thinking years in advance (in warp speed)…she finds time to network brilliantly and create a whole Naturally Autistic Blogtalk radio regime simultaneously! I have no doubt that the 2012 INAP Awards will ROCK!! This Monday on world Autism Day…the host city for the event will be revealed with the happy Mayor of the community on our air! Please tune in here ~~> 8-10a.m. Pacific time http://www.blogtalkradio.com/autistic-people-/2012/04/02/world-autism-awareness-day-special-8am–10am-pst   to hear how our IT GIRL brings it all together!!

NOMINATIONS ARE STILL OPEN…UNTIL APRIL 20TH!! please go to www.naturallyautistic.com !

Leonora’s life is examined in Dr. Temple Grandin’s new book just released “Different, Not Less.” 

Ambassador for the INAP Awards Dr. Grandin knows what an Important Chapter Leo writes for the Autistic Community…….

The less than 30-day countdown to 13!! Wow…it’s a milestone for  www.autismhwy.com , Wyatt and I.

 My new teenager speaking volumes to me daily without uttering what (most consider) a word. April 1st will be the actual day of “this milestone change” for my sweet son Wyatt Griffin Green! His footing into manhood begins. Honestly, it seems that those steps actually began some 6 months ago. If these past 6 months are an indicator of tomorrow’s play book then I will most definitely be needing track shoes, slippers and steel- toed boots to keep up!! When to wear which style, will be the ongoing rub. This is proving to be a very firey time for Wyatt and his moods can be mercurial at best. So juggling my footwear will be my daily fashion functional quest. Stilletos will not be in that rotation! (sorry guys.)

Lately, most days the teenage angst has me walking, running and driving through landmines. I have read numerous articles that claim ‘Aut-Parents/siblings’ are like soldiers and sometimes need to re-group and/or claim PTSD! Well, in that vein I have been gathering live grenades from fellow comrades! Pioneering friends of mine that have been in these trenches and learned something valuable. Coming out alive and thriving with wonderful, logical advice! We have so much to share with one and other. It is fantastic! In Wyatt’s case surges of adrenaline and levels of testosterone rush his system spiking his blood pressure increasing his (already high) sensory needs. He becomes so uncomfortably aggravated and literally anything can happen.

 A door off of the hinges…shoes thrown atop the roof, a window broken at school… a shattered windshield…and the next-door (new) neighbor calling the police. Ahhh…Sweet 13! During these moments he becomes undone and people just do not have any level of comprehension.

 Unable to understand that my son’s cells are not buffered like their cells are. Buffered from senses: lights, sounds and literally sometimes the wind. To be at such a disadvantage to handle the natural progression of his manhood.This interuption of his system as he has known it. It is a  horribly dicey thing! Shouldn’t others forgive him this behavior?  Consider that it would help parents, if you assume nothing when you see someone having this type of interuption. Seek knowledge to find understanding and tolerance. Do not be so quick to “judge thy new neighbor”…and call the cops!! lol…Because we are all neighbors of this amazing planet. Imagine that our systems are  like HWYS. Some of us have cars everywhere traveling all of the roads. While others tend to use the same roads  again and again. If we truly look we see that everyone is on the AutismHWY!  

So despite these bumps in our road I feel ready to take ’13 and beyond’ on. Armed with great continental  friends on this spectrum, and a mixture of supplements -that promote joint comfort and mobility…and  the calming Valerian root spiked juice we walk on. Stepping deliberately and carefully as we cross all bridges. It’s not easy and never has been but, when you are feeling down for the count and you suddenly hear “Kelly…Gelly…gelly…Kelly” from your walking partner for the 1st time…the tip-toes turn into a skip!!! MY reward of a milestone, indeed!   

Lastly, AutismHWY.com’s new milestone: The site’s inspiration…my wonderful growing boy~Wyatt can now legally have his “Own Page”on our awesome positive website!! Children under the age of 13 are protected by privacy laws and that is a good thing. So, The “K.G.& “Y” profile that ”we” have been using~will now become my teenage son’s profile “WY” G.!!!  Just a little shuffle of consenants and self autonomy! Like life always a shuffle to grow and change for the good! Things are definitely shuffling for the good here at AutismHWY.com!! Lots of EXCITING plans for the site, NEW Awareness Coloring Books afoot and FUN Events to Chalk and Walk!!  

As 2012 Marches on…..

YUMI, AKI, WY & I HOPE YOU’LL TIP TOE WITH US!

It occurred to me that, that is what we do here at AutismHWY.com!! Expressive activism~ We express our JOY in life…with or without the diagnosis of Autism. We want the world to fall in line with that thinking! I think we, as an emerging community are so far beyond the days of wallowing and grieving. Life will pass us by if we spend all of our days freting, worrying and  unhappily waiting for “cures”. While constantly stressing and bemoaning the fact that our children have uncertain futures.

Afterall, that is what the future is always made of…UNCERTAINTY! For all of us  despite the crosses we may or may not bear genetically or otherwise. When we arise in the morning it is not assured that we be there when it is time to lay down and sleep. Life is an honor. A privilege bestowed upon us through the cosmos of destiny. What a spectacular thing it is. To be revered and regarded moment by moment. Making the best of every instance. Respecting it fully for it’s simplistc brilliance. So, with an unsure future we carry on expressing ourselves. Expressing how we take in this precious life and how we respond to it. Hoping for others to learn  from this and recognize in themselves the many similarities amongst the abject difference.

To me it has felt like a brand new Renaissance. Since I first joined the on-line Autistic populations… Art, Poetry, Photography, Music, Drama~ created by brilliant, wonderful people. Sharing their perceptions in the best ways they know how. Creativly opening windows of light/insight for the world to understand Autism, the human mind and to better understand themselves! One of those amazing people has now left our worldly ranks but, not before he encouraged a wildfire of EXPRESSIONISM for Autistic people and their loved ones.

Jeffrey Michael Kellen a caring educated hard working man from Indiana. Through his infinite wisdom  created a wonderful safe haven for Autistic people and co. to connect and express the positive energy we feel in our lives… (contrary to popular belief.)  Artists and Autism on facebook is an enclave of talented individuals. A fun and effervescent place to show your talents and to enjoy the talents of other’s. Nurturing self respect and free expression. I am proud to  have been chosen to be a moderater of the page by it’s catalystic creator. With challenges we link together daily combining hearts of expression and a desire to change the world for Autistic people. Thankyou, to you Jeff and Kara for pointing people in this awesome direction! Forever helping us to join forces and raise the bars!

In the summer of 2010 Jeff and his beautiful wife Kara sparked something very FUN and IMPORTANT for AutismHWY.com’s future. Their annual participation in their Indiana community’s Chalk-Walk. Over the course of a weekend the Kellen’s would create masterpieces on the blazing pavement! That summer as I became involved with Artists and Autism, Jeff and Kara honoredand delighted me by choosing 2 of my Autism awareness designs to chalk for the event! To devote their squares raising awareness for Autism rocked my world and many others !!

It also did something else…I will never forget the feelings evoked in me, seeing those amazing images emblazoned so masterfully by Jeff and Kara. At that moment I vowed that AutismHWY.com would organize an entire Chalk Festival to raise awareness and share the incredible talent that is out there waiting for opportunity!!

PLEASE support this type of FUN and FREE Expression!! Our 2nd Annual “Show YOU Care~ BE Aware” Chalk Festival will be Saturday April 14th….stay tuned for details!!! Inquiries can be mailed to kelly@autismhwy.com

The Autism Community has had a stellar year! The magnificent movement for understanding, change and acceptance is aligning hundreds of stars, that in turn ignite hundreds of other stars. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to  my star AutismHWY.com ! One of the varied and many, many STARS in our Autism Galaxy. Stars that are…ALIGNING! Aligning into the most beautiful constellation. A constellation for acceptance and understanding as opposed to change! It is an awesome movement that truly is a COSMIC CONNECTION! Surely many of you feel this stellar magnetism I am talking about. The energy and vibrancy of thousands of stars that are ready to explode into the atmosphere.

An information explosion! It is beginning to happen as mainstream dialogue has begun regarding sensory “over-load” and information “processing”. Language which refers to the brain as the computer~ that it is. This new knowledge is evolving as we hurl into the future. Moving at the speed of a comet! Universal understanding of the proportions we here at AutismHWY.com are dreaming of…is quite frankly “people changing.” Not JUST “life changing.”

It is far more important that people change, their minds and change their own understanding of how the mind and body connect! Autism is a fabulous tool to advance this! The “thinking about thinking” I have written about in the past will be the catalyst to that change. When people simply slow down and consider that process…they will see the light.The light of knowledge and incredible self awareness. Understanding the filing of experiences and associations the Autistic mind makes is  a fascinating venture. Alot for the world, to finally learn about the inner workings of our humanity. What exactly it is that makes up our “beings.” Something we have long been distracted from as this age of industry has taken things to incredibly distracting levels.

“From the rock to the spear to the ipad,” Leonora Gregory Collura (the co-founder of ANCA & The INAP Awards) recently told me. “People are the same, they never change…they are boring!” She states a point in fact. People  are still dividing and segregating and waring…what’s different?

What’s different NOW is that people ARE changing! Autistic People are proof. We have different minds and thinkers, changing the world rapidly. So the rest of the world will need to catch up and understand the organic nature of what I am saying here. This new learning curve. Listen to people like Academic Lars Perner and  INAP Awards Ambassador Dr. Temple Grandin www.templegrandin.com  as they clearly show in their upcoming books how Autistic Minds are intensely and immediately valuable to this world. These identifiably different thinkers have expanded technology throughout the ages and most certainly will continue in that process.

So catch on to these rising and shooting stars. These stars careening to this NEW AGE in constellation forming. This constellation that understands the Autistic paradigm and how it is REALLY the Human/Mind/Body Connection paradigm. Charting a whole new course for mother earth by changing the directions of the hearts and minds of it’s inhabitants! This constellation will definitly be the brightest this Universe has ever known. 

I saw an amazing glimpse into this “BRIGHT FUTURE” first hand, this fall at the 2011 International Naturally Autistic People Awards and Convention in Vancouver, Canada! Take a look for yourself!…

Amazing/Savant Artists,Esther Brokaw http://savantgallery.com   and Kevin Hossieni www.kevingallery.com .

 Amazing writersand beautiful strong minded young women, Isabell Doucette and Erin Clemens.

Superb Musicians/SingersScott Siegel www.arrestmysister.com  and Samantha Rudderham http://www.samanthae.co.uk/  .

Community Ambassadors, volunteering and working for Autism understanding and the betterment of society, Jacynthe Geschke, Joel Anderson www.joelsvisionarts.com  , Dani Bowman www.powerlight-studios.com

Brilliant Minds and EducatorsLars Perner www.larsperner.com, Leonora Gregory Collura and Charlie Collura www.naturallyautistic.com

These people and many others created an energy I will long remember. Every year as the INAP Awards /Convention and other positive Autism events continue this life-changing energy will grow. This energy will have the incredible strength to SHIFT people’s consciousness and set things straight. The Autistic population said to be the  world’s “disconnected people”…re-connecting the planet! How COOL is that??!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yes! Be deliberate about your life! Be on pupose. It is Thanksgiving time here in the states. So being ‘on purpose’  at this time of year usually means a long grocery list and alot of rushing around! You also often hear people say: “We are Thankful.” Funny when I think about it , it seems this is the only time of year I really hear that particular phrase. People will list their things that they are thankful for and then mindlessly dig in to the food prepared from the prior list mentioned. Engorge themselves, lay back and watch football OR countdown the minutes until the mad dash to Christmastime bargain hunting!

That always seemed so “normal” to me before. Not anymore…as the Mom of a different learner*. (*An amazing boy on the AutismHWY!) I have found that being thankful is something I am, on a minute by minute basis. For a smile, a glance, a wave that seems “like a real wave” lol…Anything that happens can be a miracle. Autism brings a real naturalness back to life in that regard. The little  natural things become the big things! Not what the traditions and manufactured rituals of people and businesses have programmed into us! That is what I am NOW Thankful for. Sure, I love, turkey and trimmings, football on TV, days off of work and YES~ even”Black Friday”…who doesnt need a bargain? 

But, when we think about our lives and the purpose of them… It is not for pure entertainment and those industries to become richer and richer. For society to become so dependant on materialism. Somehow people have lost sight of everything they have that was not man-made. Industry and Hollywood have a strong reach and alot of bills to pay. People must be programmed to need gadgetry and entertainment 24/7. That serves their purpose. But, has it served ours as a society? I look around and see alot of unthankful people with alot of  unneccessary stuff. That demand  everything be upgraded. What we need is people realizing they need to be Thankful every day, for even the most miniscule of happenings…not just an annual recurring  obligatory listing of “family, health and friends” some Thursday on the way to Christmas.

People with purpose. Living their lives for gratitude. Finding a mission that is bigger than themselves. Something positive that brings purpose and hope to your world. This is the ‘on purpose’ I speak of. Let’s  as a society be more than Thankful on turkey day.  let’s enjoy the little tiny natural moments that people do…smile, glance, wave…LOVE and RESPECT with delibrate grattitude for the chance to do it.Let’s live with it everyday. 

Extreme DAILY gratitude!! That is what Autism has brought to my psyche. THAT is what I am thankful for every small and big moment of my life.

“Autistic People~People First.”  “People with Autism~People First.” To me they are one in the same. One just sounds better to me grammatically and also because it is the tag phrase for my Blogtalk radio show through www.naturallyautistic.com  !! AutismHWY Fridays~  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/autistic-people-/2011/10/28/autism-hwy-autistic-theatre 

Wyatt is Autistic and Wyatt has Autism. I feel dumb that I don’t get that one of these phrases LABEL my son?! This has been pointed out to me three or four times this year…and I just wish it would go away haha…

I mean, I do understand the good intention surrounding this ”so called” People First language. That no one particularly wants to be labeled . That as my radioshow co-host Erik Estabrook so plainly stated, “I want to be seen as Erik.” Correct! We are ourselves, people first. However, that being said we grow, learn, change and label everything we come in contact with. It is the nature of being. So it is natural that we label ourselves and others. For reference points, for understanding, for everything. Only when there is a perceived negative connotation on your label does it become an issue.

For whatever reason non-Autistic people seem to have some kind of negative association to the word Autistic. Thus the kinder~ gentler terminology,  person with Autism. Which to me sounds,  sad and mundane. Powerless….like something that is with you whether you want it to be or not. I don’t know? As I write this, it occurs to me that ~ that is exactly it. When you say Autistic Person it has more power, more ownership…more pride in who one is! More…BAM!  Here I am  ! lol

So some cool gremlins were at work during my Naturally Autistic People First Blogtalk radio show a few Fridays back. I entered into a query with my Poet friend and co-host on the spectrum…Erik Estabrook about this language issue. I love having conversations with Erik! I find he surprises me with the direction of his thoughts. He is far and away one of the most interesting people I have ever met! So I had 1 phone after the next malfunctioning repeatedly. Our call in guest, Paul Maywood was calling the wrong number…So Erik was left manning the listener-SHIP!! Off and on  as I  was on for a minute and then drowning out…Erik was there…”Kelly are you there?? Kelly??”He was guiding me back, as if throwing me a life raft in the sea of misunderstanding.

I did not have the opportunity to listen in to Erik’s handling of business until later that night. When I did I had to laugh and smile in glee…Erik made such wonderful sense to me once again!! In my absense Erik gave me the exact conversation  the LIFE RAFT Of understanding I wanted to have!! LISTEN, LAUGH & LEARN!

During the times I was frantically trying to get back on air…Erik said something so brilliant. As only he could. Amazing  Poet with “Spectrum Perspective”…

Labels should be taken down a notch in level of importance as far as I’m concerned. Because, they get in the way of people feeling the way they want to feel and saying what they want to say. They disrupt a little bit of the natural flow in life. When you add too much organization and labeling everything you get people that don’t fit in and you get people pushed to the outskirts…..

Succinctly said! WOW…guess we should have technical difficulties more often! Thankyou so much for that my man Erik E!

I hope people will remember that labels are important. We should really only judge calorie content while reading them…lol. Everything else should be fair game. Embrace your labels people. Love what God made in the form of you and your child! You are incredible and unique and loved!