groups, like those with disabilities. Did I have it wrong? My column is entitled, “Puzzles and Camo” for Pete’s sake! With a slightly bruised ego, I started to research the controversy around the puzzle piece. My student was correct. There was a controversy around the puzzle piece representing autism. I found myself reading articles concerning both sides of the argument, and then I started thinking about Broden. Do I see Broden as broken? 

Two days later the student came to class. She slowly came up to me and asked, “Can I sit next to you in the circle?” I smiled and nodded. She reached her arm out and showed me the infinity symbol patch on her jacket, “This is the patch I was talking about. It shows that we are unique, but we are whole.” She 

allowed me to take a picture of it. I smiled and confirmed that it was a special patch. As more students slowly filed into class, the student started to ask me questions about Broden, “Does he know how to swim? I teach people with autism how to swim. It’s important they know how to do that.” I talked more about Broden and told her that it was very difficult to find people who understand autism and teach swimming. She would be a great asset in town, if she chose to teach swimming again.  

"How can we do better as a community to support people with autism? First, we need to listen. Second, we need to shift the way we think and realize that their opinions matter."

After class, I couldn't get the last two days of interaction with my student out of my head. I realized that everything had changed, and I had a choice. Was I going to listen to my student with autism and change the way I had

thought for over 15 years, or was I going to ignore my student's view and continue to think the same way? As a mom with a son with autism and as a teacher, the answer was simple. I was given a gift. Someone from my son's community had the ability to speak, and I needed to listen. My student is not broken and Broden is not broken. How can we do better as a community to support people with autism? First, we need to listen. Second, we need to shift the way we think and realize that their opinions matter. If we do not do those two things, then how can we do better for this community, Broden's community? •

OUR JOURNEY IN CAMO

Shelly Huhtanen is an Army wife stationed at Fort Jackson, SC. She enjoys sharing her experiences of her day-to-day life caring for her son with autism. Shelly authored Giving a Voice to the Silent Many that encompasses many stories of raising a child with autism in the military. She also teaches Public Communication at the University of South Carolina and has contributed to EP Magazine for over 10 years.