Accepting a Child's Autism

Found this heartfelt piece by Jean Winegardner, who writes a personal blog at Stimeyland and an autism-events website for Montgomery County, Maryland, at AutMont. You can find her on Twitter as @Stimey. Read more of Jean's work at Autism Unexpected in the Communities at the Washington Times.


SILVER SPRING, Md. — Those of us in the autism community speak often of autism acceptance. While there is much emphasis on autism awareness, many of us feel that awareness matters little without the acceptance that hopefully follows.
We strive for acceptance in our children's schools, playgrounds, families and in society in general. But what about the place where it can be hardest to create acceptance — in our own hearts and minds?