You might love someone with autism if.....

April is Autism Awareness Month. There are tons of facts about autism....the rate is skyrocketing and is now at 1 in 88. When Austin was diagnosed, it was 150. Less than 10 years ago. Shocking. Something needs to be done. When it's your child, though, maybe the numbers and facts don't matter as much....because ONE is too many.

Today, I thought I'd share a few things that loved ones may be able to relate to, if they have someone on the autism spectrum.

You might love someone with autism if...

*He is {rightfully} upset and on the verge of a meltdown and you say, "It's going to be OK." He replies: "It's NOT ok!" and your heart breaks equally in sadness for his hurt and in joy that he has expressed an emotion and verbalized his feelings appropriately.

*You overhear your 9 year old go over a particular day's schedule social story....that he's made up on his own.

*You know what a social story is.

*You know the power of a social story.

*The same 9 year old, and other siblings, thank God for a "nearly meltdown free" day for his brother during bedtime prayers.

*You've ever been asked where the "good one" or the "non-crazy one" of your children is.

*You've ever consoled, and cried with, a broken-hearted child because his social story explains that if he's nice to people, they'll play with him....and they still don't.

*Your child really doesn't care if people play with him or not, and would be just as happy off on his own, but you're heartbroken they don't want to.

*You've ever cut tags out of clothes; turned socks inside out; washed the exact same shirt/pants/hoodie every single night for three months straight; bought 3 identical shirts or pants to try to cut down on laundry only to discover there is still just one that works.

*Your child(ren) wear short sleeves and shorts well into November and hoodies and jeans well into June.

*You own a weighted blanket or vest.

*You own a therapy brush.

*You own hand fidgets.

*You know what a weighted blanket, therapy brush, and hand fidget is and you know how to use them and why they are so important.

*You've driven your child over an hour for a social group.

*You regularly drive almost 2 hours for medical care because you want the best you can find for your child.

*You understand how important occupational and speech therapy are....the earlier the better!

*You feel more over-protective over a couple of your children.

*You want the opportunity to explain things to people so they don't judge your child.

*You've ever thanked God for autism because it gives you a tiny window into His ultimate, unconditional love for all of us.