When Caitlin was allowed to be inclusioned as a Kindergarten/First Grader, we were thrown into a whole new world....We went from the secure world of a fully-inclusioned classroom, where all of the children had a disability of some sort, to Caitlin being the only "disabled" child in the classroom.

 My first inking that Caitlin may be different was at a birthday party, a pool party, that we were invited to by another classmate.  I was surrounded by parent's who were curious about what "AUTISM" was. 

  In 1997, Caitlin was the ONLY child in her elementary school with Autism.  The parent's were not rude, just very curious.  It was then I decided to "educate" the staff and parent's to what Autism ISN'T.....

  I asked to speak to the class, and they let me.  I told them jokingly that :

1. Autism is not contagious.

2. Autism is amazing.

3. Even though Caitlin is non-verbal, she is much smarter than anyone in the room...including the teacher's.

4. Caitlin would grab their hearts and never let go.

Because of the teaching and therapy staff at the school, they had prepared the teacher's pretty well for Caitlin.  The Dad's of the classroom even built her a loft, so she could get away if needed....it is still standing 11 years later.

It is important that our children with Autism are accepted into the school system and into society.  It is our jobs as their parent's to make sure that our children are ready for society. 

It is even more imperative that SOCIETY IS READY FOR OUR CHILDREN.

We, as parent's, can do this without alienating anybody.  We have to stand firm to what we expect for our children and DO NOT waiver one bit when they say "NO"...they love to say "NO".

I have tried very hard to work with the school system, and to the school's credit, they work well with our family.  I thank them for that.

We have been very lucky...our children have taught the school district so much just by being them.  They have taught them that Autism not only affects those that have Autism, but enriches those around them.

Autism has been an EDUCATION for all of us.