The Autism Card

When we first received the report that Short Stack is Autistic, of course, we were crushed.  There were nights where crying wasn't even a remote outlet to the stress that followed. A few weeks later, we went into a store, shopped around, and then stood in line - for what was at least 20-30 minutes.  I won't mention the store, but it's a big box store that spells 'Wal' incorrectly... In any event, we stood in line - Short Stack in the seat in the shopping cart, and me pushing when the line finally moved. After about 10 minutes, Short Stack was getting highly irritated...and was starting a tantrum.   Now, this was no ordinary 4-year-old tantrum when they didn't get a toy - this was the full-blown cry/hit throw type that normally two-year-olds dish out. He was frustrated, as so were many people in line.  Here's a note, Autistic children are very sensitive to the atmosphere around them...and can have a tendency to mirror that atmosphere in the way they act. He starts hitting because he can't formulate the words.   The lady behind me starts commenting on how my child is spoiled - to the person she's with - as if I wasn't even there and couldn't hear her. Then, she asks me to - and I quote, "shut that spoiled kid up" followed by, "you know what his problem is?  he needs something to eat"..... ...like she really knew my business... So, I said, "I do know what his problem is, he's Autistic." It was at that moment I wish I had the Autism Card.  Not one word would need to have been said, just a card given. After I said that, I really wanted to follow up with, "what's yours"....but that would be my frustration talking... hence, that card, it leaves that temptation to confront aside - and allows you to focus on the child more. Above is an Example of an autism card...