04/04/2026
April is Autism Awareness Month đź’™
Before I became a parent to a child with autism, I thought I understood what autism was.
I didn’t.
Autism is not one thing. It’s not one look, one behavior, or one experience. It is a spectrum in every sense of the word.
My son has profound autism, which means he requires very high levels of support every single day. Our life looks different than most, it's constant supervision, constant advocacy, and sometimes constant worry. There are moments that are overwhelming, exhausting, and honestly just scary.
But there are also moments that are incredibly beautiful.
The kind of moments that teach you patience you didn’t know you had… love that runs deeper than words, and strength you never had to find before.
Autism has changed my life. Not in the way people assume, but in a way that has opened my eyes.
And while our journey is not easy, I am thankful that the world is becoming more understanding. There is more awareness, more inclusion, and more people willing to learn than ever before.
Right now, about 1 in 31 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism.
And with that comes a reality many people don’t talk about enough:
Nearly half of autistic children will wander (elope) from a safe place at some point.
When they do, they are not “running away” — they may be overwhelmed, seeking something, or unable to recognize danger.
And the most heartbreaking part:
Drowning is the leading cause of death in these situations.
This is why awareness matters.
In Kentucky, we have Ian Alerts — alerts sent out when a child with autism or developmental disabilities goes missing and is at high risk.
If you ever see one:
- Pay attention
- Share it quickly
- Check areas near water first
- Call 911 immediately if you see the child
Please understand, if you see a child with autism who is missing, they may not respond to their name or realize they are in danger. They may continue running or even move toward unsafe areas, not out of defiance, but because they simply don’t understand. A child with autism may not stop when you call out to them, so if you see them, act quickly and don’t assume they are aware of what’s happening.
Because time matters. And awareness can save a life.
Autism is not a tragedy.
Lack of understanding is.
My son is not broken. He just experiences the world differently and through him, I’ve learned to see the world differently too.
This month, and every month, choose understanding. Choose inclusion. Choose awareness.
Because every child deserves to be safe, seen, and valued.
From a wonderful parent
💚🤍💙
