A personal Project

A big question I’ve faced with my Facets of Autism project is simply “Why are you doing this?”. I want to raise awareness about what Autism is. There is a lot of confusion about autism, and I am hoping to show some of the facets of this spectrum disorder through my work. I want society to understand that autism and its effects are different for each affected person, and deeply impacts the lives of their caregivers and loved ones.

I have a wonderful son on the spectrum and have been on my own journey as his mom. We’ve had very good times and very difficult times. Regardless, he has shown me, and others, beautiful and interesting pieces of this world that we would not have noticed otherwise.

Below you’ll find a handful of interesting resources authored by individuals on the spectrum. These have helped me better understand and gain empathy for my son.

Book 1: The Reason I Jump, The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism (Naoki Higashida)

Book 2: Be Different (John Elder Robison)

Book 3: Look me in the Eye (John Elder Robison)

YouTube link - Temple Grandin: The World Needs all Kinds of Minds https://youtu.be/fn_9f5x0f1Q