Shannon Des Roches Rosa : MyBlogHer Profile

Many autism organizations are celebrating April as Autism Awareness Month. But others, especially those in which autistic people have a say, are celebrating Autism Acceptance Month instead. Why? Because Autism Awareness doesn't really help autistic people in general, and kids like my son Leo specifically. It makes it too easy for well-meaning people to feel they are "doing something" about autism if they wear a blue ribbon or buy a blue light bulb -- when neither of those actions translate to real-world benefits and support for autistics and autism families.  Read more >

I already had a spitfire six-year-old daughter and a boisterous four-year-old autistic son when my youngest, Mali, was born. Though I had scoffed at family and friends who suggested enlisting extra hands when our herd expanded, it was soon clear that I could really use some backup. That was when Alexia Bogdis entered our lives. She became one of Leo's best friends. She worked with him for almost three years -- his most difficult years. She brought our home life out of crisis -- like a Mary Poppins, but for an autism family.  Read more >