I just became aware of an “Autism Awareness” game on Facebook. Some funny and random status is posted. If you like or comment on it, you are private messaged and asked to choose your own funny and random status all in the name of autism awareness.
I’m offended by this game.
Our 9-year-old son is diagnosed with ASD. We are lucky he is high functioning. But he also struggles. We’ve gone through therapy of various kinds, tutors, medications, and tests. We've slept much less, worked much more and loved as you can only imagine.
If you want autism awareness, come and witness the fight Kiefer fights EVERY. DAMN. DAY.
There is nothing about a careless game on Facebook that makes you more AWARE or educated. I’m always happy to talk about what we’ve gone through and what we’ve SURVIVED - despite doctors and specialists telling us we won’t. Kiefer won’t quit. And neither will we. If you want Awareness, have a coffee with me, or read my blog. I’ve never been silent about our journey.
The problem I have with this game is that people think they are actually helping. That they ARE actually spreading awareness. But as I asked the friend who shared it with me, what more do you know about autism now that you have shared that post? What more are you aware of? She embarrassingly admitted nothing. She admitted she was not more aware, she was not more educated and it did nothing in the name of autism.
If you seriously want to help, please find a charity to donate to that will help kids with autism. Share an EDUCATIONAL post about autism. Donate your time to work with kids with autism.
Just know, that playing a status game on Facebook does NOTHING for awareness. It's a game and it mocks those who are going through the struggles every day.
Thanks for reading
*Edited from my recent Facebook post.
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