Autism Awareness Month

I feel bad that this whole month has gone by and I haven't done anything, not even donate a measly $5 towards Autism research. So I will at least dedicate some time here. I came too close to the subject on Autism from my own anxiety ridden neurosis when Liam was an infant. I was aware of it in high school because I knew a friend who had a sibling that had Autism. I became really intrigued by it and for some reason thought that the day I had a child he would have it. Stupid I know. So when I had my first son, a preemie and then the vaccination days came by, I started to get a very nervous feeling.

Being the type of person who thinks something must be wrong for the world to still keep functioning (yes, I believe it's fucked up as much as I am), I started looking for signs very early. I even asked the doctor at the first vaccination session, and left very uneasy. Then the next round came and I pulled out my librarian hat and started researching. I read a wonderful book on the subject by Stephanie Kay and learned the history of vaccines, how they get passed (extremely dangerously), grouped (dangerous) and the dangers of each of them on these young children.

No, there has been no official link between Autism and vaccines, but I believe in my heart that if there was a link, it would never reach the public. Too much is at stake. So while my husband the scientist says there is no link, he also agrees that the debate is not over and will not be for some time.

One little boy at my son's preschool has Autism, I could tell right away. I already knew all the signs, I had the 22 criteria memorized by the time Liam was 6 months old. And my heart breaks for this beautiful little boy. Luckily his mom is doing the work. I have a 25 year old cousin who lives in my native Argentina who has Autism, low functioning and non-verbal. But there the resources are so limited he's never even been diagnosed or treated. He regressed, or was seen at the age of 2 when he wasn't talking. My husband has a cousin who had Asperger Syndrome and with a lot of intervention in school, now is a double major in Math and Astrophysics on his way to working at NASA with a lot of potential. And by looking at him you would never know it. I watch all the families on TV, I cannot miss a show about Autism and I hope to someday do something, even if it's volunteering at a school or center for children with Autism. I know too much about it and can't just turn a blind eye because my child doesn't have it. I am encouraged by all of the amazing people who are working so hard to find a cause, link to something, and a cure. With love and compassion to those who are afflicted. Adriana.