I remember like it was yesterday, my daughter’s grade one teacher told me plain and simple teaching my daughter was hell. That was the beginning of really learning about Autism. My young daughter back then had many of the symptoms of the autism. She would chew her clothing, rock, had so many sensitivities that it was hard to keep track some days. It was a very scary time as we were also just recovering from a devastating fire so I wasn’t sure what might be a reaction to the fire ( my daughter and I both witnessed a young woman burning to death as our apartment complex was in the midst of burning to the ground). It was a very scary time.

Asperger’s Syndrome is high functioning autism, and the rate at which kids in Canada are being diagnosed are increasing every year. Because these kids are so smart, they are often misdiagnosed either being diagnosed with ADHD, and another diagnosis along side it, like OCD, ODD and so many more. But the key to knowing if it is Aspergers is the extreme trouble with social situations. This is my daughter.

For years I have believed that my now teen daughter has Aspergers, because she is over the age of 12 no one will actually give that diagnosis. They instead have given her a list to live with. Many of which go hand in hand with kids with Autism and this remains common in the world that is Autism and especially Aspergers Syndrome.

My teen on an average day can show signs of ADHD, depression, anxiety disorder, ODD, and OCD, as well as having an inability to take in social interactions well.

As a mother who has battled and advocated for her daughter since she first showed signs after a major regression in skills when she was 4, I have battle for services and for her to get the supports that she would need to be a healthy teen.

Parenting a child who has Autism is hard work, but there are so many rewards as well. When they get a new skill after much coaching you take in a deep breath, and smile. When you watch them make a friend, a real friend, it brings tears to your eyes and the first time they really look at you well your heart wants to melt.

On this World Autism Day I encourage to talk to the parents of autistic kids, get the facts, and lets work on getting these kids the support they need as there is still a very long way to go here in Canada.