I know roughly the same amount with autism / aspergers as with schizophrenia, which is statistically about right. I know 2 of each. I know about 250 people. That's about it.

I'm very doubtful that Autism is hereditary. Since I was young, I've worked with special needs... as an elementary student I was allowed to read to what was then called the "resource" room. In high school, I was a peer 1:1. Back then, there was one autistic girl. That was it. (there were other kids with downs, etc) Now, we have an entire school dedicated to students with Autism. (Oh, its the same school district I grew up in, and the student body has actually shrunk since then)

I know eight children on the autism spectrum. One has autism and the other seven not so much. Their parents each had to take them to multiple specialists until eventually a less scrupulous one would diagnose them as super mild. I hate it when bad parenting and/or rowdy kids are called autism. It cheapens it for the unlucky kids who actually have it.

Have we really not gotten to a point where everyone is aware of autism? And still we get the stares when my three year old is flapping his hands.

There's a whooping cough epidemic in my state and I got my booster shot yesterday. I posted a funny conversation between my daughter and myself about the shot on my facebook and out come the anti-vaxx crazies telling me all the reasons why I shouldn't have gotten the vaccine. DON'T I KNOW VACCINES CAUSE AUTISM?!?! Yes, I'm sure the vaccine is going to cause 30 year old me to develop autism. DON'T I KNOW THAT THIS EPIDEMIC IS ACTUALLY BEING CAUSED BY THE VACCINES!?!? Do people really believe this stuff? Ugh

My dd3 has a peer who is autistic (moderate). She will ask her to play and try to talk to her but gets no response. What is the best way to explain to her what Autism is? I've read a book to her but I need simpler terms?

I had no idea this site existed until I found the book last night! I debated with myself on actually purchasing it. I am so glad I did. Stories in here made me laugh, or bring tears to my eyes. I even related to some of the things. I have a son who might have autism & people think I am crazy for even mentioning it! Also I have twin boys... I never onced used ferlity drugs not that there is anything wrong with them, but people also talk in a whisper like I can't hear them. I love that moms can share and confess. I even passed this site on to some of my mom friends!

I think I missed the memo. Since when is autism spelled Autism? Does that mean my diabetes is now Diabetes and my husband's pancreatitis is now Pancreatitis?

My sister in law is a radio deejay. She mentioned on her radio show recently that her DS has Asperger's. She wanted to bring some attention to Autism Awareness Month. Not even kidding, she got hate mail for it. People called her up and said she was a bitch, that Autism isn't real and she should STFU, etc. It broke my heart to hear people speak about her and my nephew that way. And the complainers were all women. What the hell is wrong with people?

My 3 year old daughter has Autism and is non-verbal for the most part. When I go grocery shopping or places where there are other kids her age I have a VERy hard time not crying. It's difficult to hear other mothers carrying on coversations with their children when I can't right now. Hopefully her speech therapy will allow her to communicate verbally with me someday. Those who complain their toddler talks too much think a minute how those with non-verbal kids feel and how much they would LOVE to be in your shoes.