This April, Autism Acceptance Month, was a time not just to raise awareness, but to pause, listen, and reflect on what true acceptance really looks like in our everyday lives.
WILC believes that acceptance goes beyond understanding a diagnosis. It’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, respected, and supported in being fully themselves. It’s about recognizing that every individual experiences the world differently, and that those differences are not something to be fixed, but something to be valued.
This month, we wanted to hear directly from our community to better understand what it means to #CelebrateDifferences. The reflections below are a collection of voices and perspectives, woven together to create a fuller picture of acceptance, identity, and belonging.
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” — Dr. Seuss
– John Dolan, NY Connects Coordinator Lower Hudson Valley-Region 4
“At 2 years old my son Leo was diagnosed with Autism level 2. His brother is profoundly deaf so as twins they could attend early intervention together. Thankfully one of our therapists noticed some behaviors in him early. My initial reaction felt the same way I felt when I found out his twin was deaf. I have grown to learn that the once you meet one person with autism you have only met one person as they are all so very different. It allowed me to meet him as an individual, where he was and is at and not hold him up to milestone standards.”
One message for Autism Acceptance Month: “Each and every person with autism is different. No two are alike and there needs and understanding of the world is different.” “Lean in to understand, ask questions, be curious not judgmental.”
– Elizabeth Almond-Bussian, LCSW, Director Peer Integration Program / Post Rehabilitation Transition Programs
“My cousin was born when I was 19 years old. By the time he was 2, he was evaluated. My aunt was an R.N and a day care provider and knew something was “different” about him. Being a young 21-year-old, I still took to this toddler and would visit him a few times a week. I was learning a lot about Autism and what a spectrum means. Throughout the years of him growing, I witnessed many stages of what we call today being on the spectrum. Sometimes there would be meltdowns, rage, tears, rocking back and forth, and trouble finding words.
Having said that, there were times when he would pat my hand, side hug me, look at me and almost smile. Those times of rage would be a distant memory for me because he was and still is a human being with some differences. Now he is a 26-year-old man. Does he work, no. Does he have friends, yes. Does he have fits, yes. Can he cope with daily life, for the most part.
My point of writing this is to say, differences are throughout everyone. If someone were to ask me what a perfect person looks like, I would have no answer. We are ALL different and perfectly imperfect. I will always stand by ‘Celebrating Differences’.”
-Kimi McCarthy, Regional Resource Development Specialist – NHTD Waiver Program
“I recall the first moment my 3 year old son was on a ride at the amusement park and rather then beeping the horn like so many other kiddos, I recall him attempting to look under the vehicle to see what was making the ride operate and go around. I was told because he was social he unlikely didn’t have Autism but a mother knows and that was my lightbulb moment. I knew his brain operated differently and he was fascinated by his surroundings in a different way, rather then be sad about it, I was so happy because it was so refreshing to just know.”
“I think beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, for those of us who love someone with Autism, it’s all about the little things in our world, the little things to so many are in reality are the big things to us, seeing our children’s growth despite how small is something to celebrate and to see them accepted despite their differences means the world.”
The love and compassion you put out into the universe you will get back ten folds by being kind to our community, acceptance and inclusivity doesn’t cost a thing.
– Robin Llaque, PILS Educational Advocate
“A moment or experience that shaped my understanding of Autism was watching the National Autistic Society video, ‘Can You Make it to the End?’ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aPknwW8mPAM, explained so many of the experiences and challenges we had understanding our two autistic children. That video now informs my approach as a special education advocate.
I believe that every single person this planet has something to bring to the table. When it comes to autism, we need that unique perspective on the world to help us progress as a society…It is so important to understand that autism is a spectrum and everyone experiences it differently. I would encourage people to listen with an open mind to what autistic individuals have to say. Don’t rush to judge or impose your worldview, just listen.”
– Fiona Rattray, PILS Parent Training & Information Center Specialist
