Once An Advocate, Always An Advocate

I am sitting by our window gazing at the passing cars. In just one hour I have spotted three bumpers with Autism Awareness stickers on them. I live in a pretty small town. There are at least a dozen children with Autism and 8 or 9 with Aspergers living within a few miles from us. Our friend has three children on the spectrum. The townsfolk talk to me constantly about Autism. They are very aware and very knowledgeable. Many have relatives with the disorder or are somehow involved with children with Autism. When I began to advocate for my boy, information was scarce. Now books, web sites and support groups abound. This is a good thing! So just when you feel you can relax your vigilance a little a story evolves that makes you realize that you will be advocating for many years to come.

A Kindergarten teacher in Port St. Lucie recently allowed her students to oust by vote, a five year old boy with Aspergers. They continually discussed his behaviors. The class told their teacher that they were disgusted with him. After the results were in, he was asked to wait in the nurse’s office until his mom came to pick him up. They were finally rid of him. The teacher thought that this was a wonderful lesson for the class. Democracy at work. Later on the boy told his mother that he “felt very sad”. The teacher was reassigned. That was her punishment. A complaint was filed but the state attorney’s office said that this matter did not fit the criteria for emotional child abuse. I would hate to see what actually qualifies as abuse. Torture? Beheading? Imagine if it was an African American child or a young man in a wheel chair. There would be such outrage and media attention. But people and yes teachers, still believe that our children are just badly behaved spoiled brats. Their outbursts should not have to be dealt with; we can just elect to ban them from the classroom.

This is perfect example of why we must continually advocate and reach out to families with Autism. People who live with this disorder need our voice. Not because they “have nothing to say” but because they need our help so that their voice is recognized and understood.

To advocate means to voice. You are a defender of the individual. An advocate speaks on behalf of a person who cannot speak for themselves. As a parent or educator you have the opportunity to change the system. An advocate promotes positive resolution and ensures the rights of the people they love.

As an advocate you may be called upon to find resources for your child and others with Autism. Try doing workshops and trainings. Provide information on IEP’s, safety or health. Talk to your local emergency responders. Familiarize parents on how to access the “system”. Connect persons with Autism to job training, transportation and living facilities. Help people gain services. Give them a voice, your voice.

An advocate brings the disabled into the community and teaches the community about the disability. A true advocate helps the person obtain the best services they can receive and to succeed in their life choices.

Advocacy is also love. Pure love. Advocacy is not changing the person, “bringing him out” or even curing him. Advocacy is caring for and about the person, who he is and what you can do for him. Yes advocacy is love and that’s why I will always advocate fervently for my son.

Remember Port St. Lucie kindergarten teacher, once an advocate, always an advocate!

© Bill Davis