I went on vacation but autism followed me!

Linkedin is a professional and business network… yes it is… then why am i writing about a personal topic? well… because we are always saying that in order to do business, the first thing you need is people and many times we end up choosing a new provider because and mainly of the person behind. 

Well, then, professional network, get to know me a little bit better and know my biggest current challenge… my son’s autism. 

First time I am writing about autism... the reason? I went on vacation, but autism followed me, not only with my son, but with all the children I saw with the same condition, each in their own specific degree, but all, without a doubt, on the spectrum.

We traveled for 1 week to South Carolina. After debating for weeks about what to do on vacation and not exactly because of being complicated or fancy people, but because of everything that a trip entails when you have a child on the spectrum. From changing environments, changing rooms, catching a plane, queuing at the airport, everything is a challenge. In our case, things like securing a kitchen and microwave in the room are simply non-negotiable, as in the end, I need to secure the few foods my child will accept. Another thing we just need to have near us is different playgrounds and swimming pools for children, where my little boy can vent his never-ending energy.

Anyway, we embarked on the journey and arrived there to the surprise of our son reacting very well. He behaved on the flight and was very happy when he saw all the pools and toys available. Aside from the fact that he woke up at 5 am most days and refused more of the few foods he normally tolerates, we were very happy with his happiness.

I decided to write this piece, because one thing that really caught my attention on the trip was the number of families I saw in the same situation as us... clearly, from a couple of months ago, I just put more attention to children in general, maybe because, deep down, I still want the basic things that others have, like listening to complete sentences from their children or simply being able to get them out of a swimming pool easily and without generating a crisis, or maybe because we are really surrounded by more and more cases. The moment that most impacted me on the trip was seeing only 4 children in a pool at a given time and all of them being on the spectrum, my son included.

The last scene didn’t and doesn't make me any happier, but it does give me hope that the world will accept these differences more quickly, with less stares and less judgment. We don't need to be treated with pity, but simply to be more accepted and tolerated, because when you try to take your son's toy out of my son’s hands and he doesn't give it back to you, trust me... it's not because he is rude... he just can't  understand why he has to give you something that is helping him to reinforce himself. If you notice, my son isn't even playing... he's just making a little tap tap noise, which, in his case, gives him the peace of mind that only that, popcorn and mom's hug can.

I don't know who this is going to be useful for, but I had to write it and say that it's not easy... Easy at all! I say and repeat that this is perhaps the most difficult test I could have received, but as I read recently: whoever ends my strength also gives me the same strength to continue the battle.

The world can count on my contribution to make a more diverse and easy place for those little ones that deserve it all!