What is a hero? To a child living on the Autism Spectrum it is a person willing to reach out with a smile, a hand shake or acknowledgement with no expectations of the same in return. Not because the child does not want to , but because the child lacks the communication skills required to reciprocate in a social exchange. Thus, the mystery of Autism unfolds.

You cannot go very long without seeing or hearing the word Autism somewhere. It is now estimated that 1 in every 150 children are on the spectrum, and 1 in 95 boys have some characteristics of this neurobiological disease. Lately, celebrities like Toni Braxton have stepped out to speak about their personal experience with Autism. In fact, "The View" dedicated an entire hour to the subject just a couple of months ago. Larry King, CNN and Comedy Central have followed suit. It seems to be everywhere even here!

- Fort Mill Police Department Helps Raise Awareness!

It is quite a struggle for the families dealing with Autism on a daily basis. Because every journey is unique, it is difficult to find the emotional support from others dealing with similar circumstances. The time, money, and patience to navigate through insurance coverage, seek out early intervention therapies and maintain a happy family can be staggering.

Getting the "word" out on Autism in your community is something everyone can help with. As I work toward this goal in my area I will share with you my strategies, so you can do your part to help educate people in your community!