Dear educators, teachers, parents and families of Autistic children and young people,
This week is world Autism Acceptance Week. But y’know, I like to think of this week as more than just ‘acceptance’ – rather more like a celebration. Ultimately every child has their own superpower and for 15 years, Autism has certainly been my son's superpower and super gift to the world.
This superpower hasn’t always been easy; however, it has also enabled me to grow broad shoulders, learn not to hold on to what doesn’t matter and to be a fierce advocate for both my son and for many MANY children and young people I have taught and supported over the years.
Like many families and educators reading this, my sons diagnosis hit hard. In contrast to the life we had envisioned for our family, we found ourselves heading down a completely different path. Let me reassure you, that different path has become one exciting adventure!
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been accosted by members of the public telling me how horrible, hurtful, weird or disobedient my (then) three-year-old boy was. I have lost count of the times I have left public spaces or simply not gone due to other parents’ comments about my son’s behaviour. “He’s not normal” they would tell me.
Damn straight he’s not normal. He’s exceptional. Just as every.single.child.is.
He’s a deep thinker, freedom seeker, pragmatic problem solver and loves deeply. As a 3-year-old his special gift was breaking into anything locked…sharp knife drawer, locked fridge, medicine bottles (!), busting OUT of doorways and busing INTO any place he should not be. As a 15-year-old, his special gift to the world is the magic he has with other neurodiverse little children: these interactions often bring me a profound sense of joy.
If you are an educator working with Autistic children or young people, or supporting parents through a time of diagnosis, or if you are a parent/caregiver yourself, I want you to know two things:
- The world needs all kinds of minds and
- Every child has a superpower.
Thankfully the world continues to become a more accepting place where we recognise that strength comes through difference, not similarities.
As we head into Autism Acceptance Week, let’s turn acceptance into celebrations!
Here’s to superpowers.
X
Linda (Phoenix Support for Educators Facilitator and Mentor)
Want to know more and how you can get involved:
https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-autism-acceptance-week-2025/ ..
