Autism Awareness Month

 Shortly after my son Evan was diagnosed with Autism 5 ½ years ago, I bought a blue t-shirt with Charlie Brown and Snoopy walking down a path made up of the multi-colored autism puzzle pieces. Snoopy’s hand is gently placed on Charlie Brown’s back and the phrase printed on the t-shirt reads, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. I have other t-shirts that I have purchased over the years that promote autism awareness, but this is my favorite one. Even more than all my Mets and Jets t-shirts or jerseys. 

 

At the time I purchased this t-shirt, I wanted to support my son and bring awareness to this journey that we were about to partake. A journey that so many families have or are in the process of taking with their own child and what better way to do it than with Snoopy and Charlie Brown. I have loved Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts characters since I was little. I would never and have never let Evan walk alone. It has been a journey filled with many emotions and always with love.

 

When Evan was diagnosed, I was relieved because his mother and I didn’t understand why he was acting the way he was. I felt powerless but getting Evan’s diagnosis meant that we could finally make a treatment plan with his developmental pediatrician and Evan would finally get the help he needed. It was such a horrible feeling not being able to help your own child. When I decided to care for Evan full time, I didn’t know what to expect as we embarked on this journey together. I can tell you that almost six years into our journey, Evan has made me a better father and a better person. The great thing about Evan is that he is as cool as a breeze on both sides of a tree, and he never acts like it.  

 

Evan’s main superpower is not his autism. It’s his kindness. Evan is cut from a different cloth and it’s the most wonderful cloth. Evan treats everyone the same. Kids of all ages are drawn to Evan. Whether we are at the playground or the pool, children approach Evan to play and he gladly goes and plays with them. It could be kids his age wanting to play tag or a 5-year-old who wants Evan to play dinosaurs with him. Most ten-year-old children would not give the time of day to a child five years younger than them but not Evan. With a smile on his face off he goes to have fun with a new friend. 

 

Evan has the most wonderful imagination and I have the privilege of entering his world every day.  Evan has always had a great understanding of “good” vs. “evil”. When he was younger, we would create stories with his superhero and supervillain action figures and then the next day, we would create stories of the Empire vs. the Rebellion with his Star Wars figurines.  After creating stories around these characters for a couple of years, Evan decided to expand and create a whole world using his action figures as different characters. It seems like his imagination is endless.

 

Evan will always have challenges and that is alright. I will always be right by Evan’s side as he navigates his way through them. It bothers me when people insinuate that Evan will “grow out of his autism and anxiety or he will be fine when he’s an adult. I find it frustrating when strangers want to comment or give their opinion about Evan's condition when they don't know him or have spent very little time with him. 

 

 Autism is not the same as having a broken bone that will eventually heal. Society still has a long way to go in understanding how autism affects the lives of the people on a daily basis who have autism and the family members that care for them. 

 

Autism is a part of Evan, a very important part of his character and personality. Along our journey, I have seen Evan work hard to learn how to live with, function, and thrive in life despite the challenges he faces. Evan wants to excel in everything he does, especially in school. Three years ago, Evan was diagnosed with dyslexia. When Evan started 3rdgrade, he was reading at a 1st grade level. Now, he is in 4th grade, reading at grade level. Evan doesn’t give up and he is always eager to learn new things. Evan has a zest for life, and I and the rest of our family is blessed to be the recipients of the unconditional love he gives us. 

 

As I mentioned, Evan is cut from a different cloth and that cloth is in a shape of a heart and I couldn’t be more proud of him and love him very much.  

 

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