Happy World Autism Awareness Day!

My four children are the reason I am Lighting It Up Blue today. Three have Autism and one is currently showing the signs. My fourth has a very strong stim. Whenever he sees bright lights, moving objects, or running water, he holds up his arms, vibrates them strongly, opens his mouth, puts his tongue to the roof of his mouth and stiffins up his legs. His whole body vibrates strongly. He is 18 months. In our home, we are used to flappy excited hands. This vibration is something new for me.
I have really come to find that when you know one person with Autism, that's just it... You know One person with Autism. Each one of my children are unique. They have separate challenges and separate strengths. My second can hear and smell the smallest of scents. It's amazing! I remember the time I was preparing dinner and she yelled out from the other side of the home, "Someone's making lettuce!". And she was right! She could smell lettuce! It's amazing how different senses are heightened or weakened in each individual. They can make for extraordinary strengths or challenges.
My children are amazing individuals! They "rock my world"! I choose to Find Joy In My Journey and today is my day to celebrate just that!
Happy World Autism Awareness Day to all of you!!! May we each spend this day celebrating our special loved ones and their unique gifts and strengths! Xoxo

~Bonnie Webb (President)