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<p>Awareness isn&#8217;t enough. There must be acceptance, as well.</p><p>April is National Autism Awareness Month, but we&#8217;d like to add the word &#8220;acceptance&#8221; to that.</p><p>Any one of us can be aware of autism. But how many of us can say we actually &#8220;accept&#8221; those with autism?</p><p>Autism or autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.</p><p>Although researchers don&#8217;t know exactly how many people in the United States have ASD, the latest estimates suggest about one out of every 68 children in the United States currently has autism.</p><p>That number is too high to be ignored. It must be accepted.</p><p>Chances are you&#8217;ve been in the company of an individual with ASD at some point. Their behavior may have seemed a bit odd. Perhaps they rocked back and forth while standing. Or shook their head from side to side, as if indicating &#8220;no.&#8221; Perhaps they flapped their arms. Or refused to make eye contact.</p><p>Any one of these behaviors can be characteristic of someone with autism. And, to those unaware of autism, the behaviors can sometimes be frightening.</p><p>Individuals with autism are nothing more than that. Individuals with autism. They are not to be feared. They are not to be avoided. And they certainly are not to be ignored.</p><p>They are members of our community, just as you and I are. They have a right to be in public, to enjoy life, to be accepted by others.</p><p>Don&#8217;t just make yourself aware of autism. That isn&#8217;t good enough. Educate yourself about the autism spectrum disorder so you can feel comfortable accepting someone with autism into your circle.</p><p>Don&#8217;t ignore them. Don&#8217;t point at them. Don&#8217;t stare at them.</p><p>If you&#8217;re unsure of how to act around them, ask someone. Chances are the individual with ASD does not travel alone. They may be with a parent, a sibling or a caretaker, someone who should be only too willing to help you understand the disorder.</p><p>Ask questions. Educate yourself. Become an advocate for people with autism. A wise woman once said, &#8220;It takes a village to raise a child.&#8221; Make no mistake about it &#8212; it also takes a village to accept those who may be different from us.</p><p>So, don&#8217;t just make it a point to become aware of autism. Make it a point to become accepting of autism.</p><p>The world will be a better place because of your decision to do so.</p><p>&#8212; Times Leader</p><style>
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Our view: Move beyond awareness to acceptance