NEW OUTLOOK: (Above) Dr. Morrison's children take in the view of Pittsburgh from one of the Incline sites; (Right) Dr. Morrison and her children. "Ultimately, building a culture of acceptance starts with each one of us. Whether we have a loved one with autism or not, we can all play a role in creating a more inclusive and accepting world."

A friend came to our house for a social gathering, and after an hour or so, they asked for a sensory break and retreated to a dark, quiet, side room to listen to music for a bit. Because we were all aware and accepting, no one considered this simple, self-advocacy to be strange or rude and we all had a wonderful evening.

As a mother, I have experienced the many challenges that come with raising a child on the spectrum. When my son was younger, he struggled to communicate his needs and have his voice heard. It was difficult for him to connect with his peers and form meaningful relationships. His actions were viewed as abrasive, reactionary or anti-social. Early on, his teachers became frustrated because he couldn't conform to the traditional sit-in-your-desk classroom style. Their frustrations compounded his frustrations, isolation and he was labeled as "the bad kid."

As he has grown, however, I have seen the positive impact that acceptance can have. By creating spaces where his unique perspective is valued and heard, and where his particular needs are met, he has been able to thrive and grow. He has found a supportive community of peers, teachers and providers who accept him for who he is and celebrate his strengths. Through therapy and other support services, he has also learned valuable coping strategies to manage his anxiety and sensory sensitivities.

Acceptance is not just about creating spaces for those on the spectrum. It is also about creating a more accepting and inclusive society for everyone. Ultimately, building a culture of acceptance starts with each one of us. Whether we have a loved one with autism or not, we can all play a role in creating a more inclusive and accepting world. By advocating for acceptance and celebrating our neurodiversity, we can build a future where we embrace the differences that make us all unique.

In conclusion, Autism Awareness Month (maybe, one day known as Autism Acceptance Month) is an important time for us to come together as a community to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder. But, it is also a time for us to move beyond awareness and towards acceptance. By creating spaces where autistic voices are heard, and by actively working to create a more inclusive and accepting world, we can help those on the spectrum thrive and grow. We will all be better for it. • 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Dr. Crystal G. Morrison is a highly regarded executive advisor, strategist, leader, scientist, and tech entrepreneur. She has three beautiful children ages 19, 17 and 14. One of her children is autistic and has additional mental health diagnoses. The other two children were adopted and experienced extreme poverty and trauma. As a mom, she's spent almost 20 years navigating the complex system of care and advocating for her children. Her experience inspired her to co-found and lead Meerkat Village, a software company dedicated to improving outcomes for children with special needs by building collaboration and communication among adults providing care.

Peter Busscher is a Senior at the University of Pittsburgh studying Linguistics and International Studies. He is currently a student intern at Meerkat Village.