A is for Autism Awareness Month

A couple of years ago, a Twitter friend participated in the A - Z Challenge.  I had considered it, but ultimately did not participate.  This year I have decided to give it a try.  I blog on what inspires me which can be anything from my kids, birds, the bike path and even celebrities.  I am hoping to be alphabetically inspired enough to complete this challenge!

So as April is upon us, A is for Autism Awareness Month. 

My two sons, David (age 13) and Michael (age 12)  have both been diagnosed with autism.  While the early years were quite challenging, with a lot of hard work and perseverance, David and Michael are both successful middle school students.  They both are on the High Honors Roll and members of the student council.  

When David was born in 2001, autism was 1 in 150.  In March, 2014, thirteen years later,  the CDC released the prevalence of autism in the U.S.  They now say 1 in 68 children have some form of autism.  

We have seen other parents' daunting challenges.  So many parents have to deal with much more severe issues than we do.   While we certainly have had our issues and still continue to battle with some social issues Michael struggles with, quite frankly my husband and I have been fortunate.  We have had phenomenal teachers, tutors and friends providing an invaluable support system and life experiences for our sons.  They are inquisitive, bright and love to learn.  They prefer museums to amusement parks and are game to go almost anywhere.  They love politics, history and sports.  I am sure we will continue to have hurdles to jump, but I am very proud of the young men David and Michael are becoming.