As a mother, I will never give up on my child. As a mother of a child who has autism, I will never give up hope.
I look into his eyes and I see all the potential that he has to offer to this beautiful world and I just know that one day the world can see what I see.

Follow my blog as I share my life and my experiences as a person who loves someone with autism.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

The perfect ending to #AutismAwareness month!

Recently we celebrated autism awareness at a Starbucks in downtown Squamish, British Columbia, Canada.

While we were there I was interviewed by a reporter from The Squamish Chief newspaper and shared some of my stories. Today the newspaper came out and look who is all smiles in the picture for the article!

The Squamish Chief newspaper - '‘He just has autism – you don’t need to be afraid’

You can read the article here.

I’d like to thank Jennifer Thuncher of the Squamish Chief for taking the time during her day off and coming out to the event to show her support, as well as David Buzzard for taking a great photo!

This was a perfect ending to autism awareness month!

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya

Friday, April 24, 2015

Teach. Love. Inspire. Hope.

Today we celebrated autism awareness at a Starbucks in downtown Squamish, British Columbia, Canada.

There was a table set up where you could colour an autism awareness ribbon, get your face painted by Brazen Pirate Face Painting, or learn more about autism from the team at Autism Society of British Columbia.

Bryce was all smiles as he was getting a blue puzzle piece painted on his arm (with glitter!) Thanks, Lizzy the Pirate from Brazen Pirate Face Painting.

It was really nice talking to everyone from Autism Society of British Columbia. They are an incredibly awesome team to have at any event to help promote autism awareness. They provided a ton of information and are just real people who understand autism and are there for you and your community.

Thank you, Starbucks, for hosting this event and bringing your community together in support of autism awareness!!!!!

I want you to know that it is absolutely beautiful that you were willing to TEACH your community about autism awareness, acceptance, and understanding. How much you LOVE and support your community enough to do this for them and hopefully INSPIRE many more autism awareness events throughout your community. And I personally HOPE this is something you will continue every year.

Always fight for what you believe! Always be the best advocate for your child! Always make things right!

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya

Check out our Facebook page for more pictures.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Students show support for classmate with autism

I have never been worried about Bryce being teased or bullied in school. He has always been very loved and cared about by his support staff, his teachers, his classmates, and his school.

Today just proved to me how much they cared.

We arrived a little late to school.

When we walked into Bryce’s classroom we were immediately showered by bubbles that his classmates were blowing. His teacher, support staff, and classmates were even wearing blue t-shirts to show their support in honour of autism awareness month. And there was a box of Timbits donuts from Tim Hortons sitting on his desk.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

Thank you, with all my heart, to everyone who was involved in making Bryce feel accepted. It means a lot to me.

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The little things can mean so much

With a couple months left until the school year is done, and then off to a new school for high school, I was thinking about what I would get Bryce’s two Education Assistants (EA) for an end of the school year ‘Thank You’ gift.

Then I saw a post on Facebook from a local mom that makes these cute handmade custom engraved key chains and this month she is donating half her proceeds to Autism Community Training (ACT) in honour of April being Autism Awareness month!

I love supporting local businesses and the proceeds benefited a great local organization so I placed an order for two.

Please visit Maura Makes Stuff website if you’d like to place an order. Thank you, Maura, for helping me give a little back to people with big hearts.

This year has been amazing. The support staff at my sons school has been incredible, as it always is every year. We love all the EA’s who have worked with Bryce like family. They deserve more than a keychain, but it’s the little things that can mean so much.

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya

Monday, April 20, 2015

I’m done with support groups: Me, Myself, and Bryce

I warn you that this is a pretty lengthy post. I applaud you if you read it from top to bottom.

An article entitled, “Special needs kids forced to leave public school system advocates say” was shared in a local autism spectrum disorder moms support group I was in. It addressed concerns for parents in the province I live in.

An advocacy group is calling on the British Columbia government to address gaps in the public school system after an online survey revealed more than half of polled parents have removed their special needs children from school because their needs aren’t being met.

...The group polled 236 of its members...

About 51 percent of those polled said they had removed their children. Thirty-one per cent of those that had removed their children said they were forced to do so, while 18 per cent said they did it by choice.

Like most online groups, especially ones where you have been a member of for over a year and should feel safe and everyone respects each others opinions, I thought I’d share my story. How I have had a great experience in the school system so far for my son. Here’s the comment I left to that article posted (a little of the wording is changed for a more clean read on a blog post, but I assure you, the point remains the same):

My son has been in three schools between two cities: Elementary school for grade Grade kindergarten to grade 5, another elementary school for grade 6 and 7, middle school for grade 8, and come next year another new school for high school for grade 9 to grade 12.

Every year we have had an amazing support staff, incredible teachers, great communication, and never have had a problem. We make staff cry at the end of the year as we say goodbye. They are like family to me and I love each and everyone of them.

It saddens me when I see parents posting on social media groups that they have to homeschool their kids because they left the school system, the teacher called and so-and-so needs to go home for reasons that imply the teacher or support staff can’t handle it, or bullying, etc. I don’t know if it’s the school districts, schools, area, lack of parent involvement or communication, or their child isn’t adjusting to a school setting, but it seems to be a combination of things and not just the school to blame.

Nobody is “forced” to leave the school system. You chose to leave the school system.

And honestly I don’t understand how a poll of 200ish people are the voice for every parent who has a child with special needs. It mentions in the article that parents removed their child from the school because their needs weren’t being met. Why weren’t your child's needs being met? Did your Individual Education Plan (IEP) have unrealistic goals? Does your Education Assistant (EA) or supportive staff not communicate with you or you to them? It breaks my heart if someone felt compelled to leave a school for whatever reason but regardless of the circumstances I would fight for my sons education and rights to an education until I was blue in the face, and even then, I’d keep fighting.

I realize that everyone has different circumstances, situations, reasons, whatever you would like to call it, for leaving the public school system but I don’t understand how one is “forced” to.

If you’re not on the same page with your child’s support staff, fight until you were not only on the same page but they memorized it word for word and then recited it back to you.

This is no disrespect to anyone who leaves the school system or feels “forced” out but it’s almost like giving up on your child’s rights to an education. You have to fight because nobody else will. Change schools if you have to but never give up. It’s your choice to do what you feel is best for your child but never, ever give up.

I apologize if I have offended anyone. I’m biased because I have had a great experience with the school system.

Boy was leaving that comment a big mistake! Forget feeling safe and respecting each others opinions. It was their opinion or no opinion at all. Monopolizing how you are to think and no room for disagreements.

I was removed from the group being told in a private message from one of the admins that “we have been notified about some of your posts that don’t really fit with what the etiquette in the ASD group and just wanted to give you a heads up as I will be removing you from the group”.

“Etiquette”?? I had an opinion that was different than yours, and I’m being punished for it? Because you can’t handle someone else’s opinion?

I simply replied, “Whatever.”

And then I got angry, which, I’m sure most people in these types of situations do:

...It is very sad to be removed from a group because an opinion differs. If we all had the same opinion, we wouldn’t need a support group. Good luck.

I was disappointed.

I don’t have any close family or support outside of the school, and to be in a group with other local moms who are all on the same boat as me, who ‘get’ me, meant a lot to me. It meant a lot to me for my son. I was even looking forward to a meetup that was being planned at a local park, but that’s clearly off the table.

Being in a group that is supposed to be about supporting each other, listening to each other, respecting each other, and I’m removed from the group because you don’t want to support me, you don’t want to listen, and you don’t want to respect me? “Whatever!!”

It does suck. I’m not going to lie. But to know that those were the type of women in the group, attacking me over my opinion differing their own, well, I don’t want to be a part of a group like that anyways.

Shortly after I was removed I received several private messages from members who either were agreeing with me or sharing that the school system hasn’t failed them.

Sadktm something I have noticed over the year that I’ve been in groups. You stand alone when you post something online until you have people agreeing with you. If you have people agreeing with you you will get all kinds of support. If anyone disagrees with you nobody who agrees with you will say anything in fear that they too will be attacked.

I ended up saving the entire conversation that took place. Me defending my opinion, then being attacked for it, people disagreeing with me, words being put into my mouth when they are clearly typed for all to see, you know, the whole typical crap you would expect whenever opinions differ.

I was debating if I should add some of the things people said, some of my responses to this post, but I honestly just don’t care anymore.

I’m done with support groups.

From now on it’s just me, myself, and Bryce.

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya

Friday, April 17, 2015

“A future of inclusion and acceptance for our autistic children”

A future of inclusion and acceptance for our autistic children.
- The Autism Directory’s vision

This starts with educating people about autism. Better understanding of autism leads to more accepting of autism.

The Autism Directory created a free short Autism Awareness Training presentation for individuals and organizations alike to share and raise awareness and understanding of autism.

It also shows how to communicate with individuals with autism and recognize and understand their behaviours.

It is a great tool for anyone wanting to learn more about autism and become autism friendly.

The Autism Directory is run by parents of children with autism. When they were given the diagnosis they were completely unaware about autism. They knew very little about it, what caused it, or what they could do to help their children. They felt isolated and alone.

Print

The Autism Directory was created because parents should not feel that they are alone. There is help and support out there, but if people don’t know what or where it is, how to access it, then it is of no benefit to them.

We expected a society that understood, but did not anticipate the lack of awareness, often ignorance, that we would have to put up with every day.

A future of inclusion and acceptance for our autistic children.
- The Autism Directory’s vision

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya

The Autism Directory is an online directory website that aims to pull together the help and support that is out there and signpost autism families to the help they need. For more information please visit The Autism Directory.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

#BoostingBrainpower: Helping Children Succeed in School

The following information was provided to me to share with my readers.

Melinda Curle, author of Boosting Brainpower, is helping parents with children who have learning disabilities to overcome obstacles and excel in school. Curle provides practical exercises that parents can use to literally boost their child’s brain power so that learning is much easier.

Her tips on foods to enhance your child’s brain power, healthy habits that will improve your child’s health, and simple strategies that can be included in the child’s daily activities will enrich the child’s attitude toward education. Curle provides a first-hand perspective on how to improve and learn faster in spite of the disability.

In addition to her work with children, Curle specializes in helping people improve their cognitive function, decrease their seizures naturally, and improve memory function and processing speed. She focuses on helping individuals within the epilepsy community eliminate their seizures naturally.

Boosting Brainpower will provide you with easy to use tools and strategies to give your student an edge.

You’ll learn:

  • How to boost your child’s brainpower with food
  • How physical activity can sharpen focus
  • Simple habits that will give stability to your child's day
  • Strategies to make your student excited about school

For more information about Melinda Curle or to order your copy of “Boosting Brainpower” please visit her website.

About the author:
Melinda Curie Melinda Curle has over ten years experience working with students with disabilities to improve their brain health and help them learn. With a Masters in Special Education, Curle became an expert in brain health on her journey to overcome her own learning disability and epilepsy and she chose to do it naturally. Curle is passionate about helping people improve their lives through education and fitness. She is the author of “Seizure Free: Addressing the Causes of Seizures Naturally” and “Epilepsy Empowerment: Living an Exceptional Life with Epilepsy.”

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Celebrating Autism Awareness at #CANFamFest

Today we celebrated autism awareness at the 4th annual Canucks Autism Network Family Festival at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It’s a family friendly event that welcomes everyone in the community.

My mom, sister, and her girlfriend joined us this year to show their support, and of course we brought our bubble blowers!

The event included the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron, a Family Fun Zone with special guest appearances, face painting, a photo booth, an exhibitor and sponsor fair, a BBQ lunch hosted by Moderne Burger and Myrtle’s Famous Hot Dogs, and the CAN Family Festival Walk. We even got the opportunity to meet Trevor Linden who is a retired Canadian hockey player and current president of the Vancouver Canucks.

There was live entertainment featuring musical performances by Juno award winning, children’s performer, Charlotte Diamond, and the Neil Diamond tribute band, Nearly Neil.

It honestly felt like there was a lot less people attending this year than last year, but the dark clouds and light rain didn’t dampen those that were there. The Canucks Autism Network throws a great community party! The Bubbles Make Him Smile family had a great time and already can’t wait for next year!

Check out our Facebook page for more pictures! Oh, and if you took pictures of our bubbles please feel free to share them on our Facebook page too! :)

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya and Bryce

The Canucks Autism Network provides year-round, innovative, high quality sports, recreational, social, and employment related programs for individuals and families living with autism, while building awareness and capacity through community networks across British Columbia.

For more information please visit Canucks Autism Network.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Oddball Workshop knocks it out of the park (again!)

Bryce is growing, which means it was time for new t-shirts! This time around we ordered shirts for the whole Bubbles Make Him Smile family!

From left to right: Me, my mom, Bryce, my sister, and her girlfriend.

I have been an Oddball customer since 2011 for all my printing needs and they have always delivered exactly what I was looking for. If you can think it, they can print it!

Oddball Workshop logo

Thank you again, Oddball Workshop, for your great and fast service printing our t-shirts just in time for the Canucks Autism Network Family Festival!

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Starbucks, Make This Right. (UPDATED)

April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day.

It is a day recognized worldwide with the ‘Light It Up Blue’ campaign by Autism Speaks, where thousands of iconic landmarks, businesses, communities, schools, and homes unite by shining bright blue lights in honor of the millions of individuals and families across the globe that are affected by autism.

So on April 2nd, 2015, a Starbucks partner (employee) in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada, whose child was recently diagnosed with autism, wanted to show her support and celebrate World Autism Awareness Day at her workplace. She decorated the store with blue balloons and blue pompoms to help bring autism awareness to their customers and their community.

Starbucks

Later that day, their location had visitors from Starbucks Canada head office. After the visit, she received a phone call from the District Manager informing her that the Regional Director Operations told her to take down the decorations:

It looks tacky. It wasn’t done properly. Take it down.

Her response:

The blue was for World Autism Awareness Day’s Autism Speaks ‘Light It Up Blue’ campaign and our store wanted to show support for myself and my son who was recently diagnosed with autism, as well as show our support for our community.

District Managers response:

You’re not listening.

Her response:

No. I heard you. I’ll take it down.

How could someone, let alone someone from a company that is “all about community” and “being good neighbors” have the nerve to say that autism awareness is tacky!?

The definition of tacky is ‘showing poor taste and quality.’

Here’s a picture of the decorations she put up. Does this look like ‘showing poor taste and quality’ to you?

I am sorry that the blue balloons and blue pompoms didn’t match your décor, Starbucks, but this was about bringing awareness to autism in your community, in your neighbourhood. Isn’t that what you’re company claims to be all about?

Every store is part of a community, and we take our responsibility to be good neighbors seriously. We want to be invited in wherever we do business. We can be a force for positive action – bringing together our partners, customers, and the community to contribute every day. Now we see that our responsibility – and our potential for good – is even larger. The world is looking to Starbucks to set the new standard, yet again. We will lead.
- excerpt from Starbucks Canada’s Mission Statement

And to say that “it wasn’t done properly”? The reason we ‘Light It Up Blue’ is because it starts the discussion about autism.

The customers have been asking questions [about the blue decorations] and we have been getting great feedback!
- a Starbucks partner (employee)

Well guess what, Starbucks? I guess it was done properly and successfully because the blue decorations did get your customers talking about autism.

Are the blue balloons for autism? This is great! I’ve been teaching children with autism for 12 years.
- Starbucks customer

Why the blue balloons? World Autism Awareness Day? This is wonderful! More people need to know about this!
- Starbucks customer

As a mother who loves someone with autism and as an autism advocate, I was completely disgusted and furious when I heard this from my sister who lives in Squamish.

I wanted to meet this mom and show my support. So I contacted her and she agreed to meet and share her story. I wanted her to know that she wasn’t alone, that this was wrong, and something had to be done. This is exactly why autism awareness is needed.

I really believe that Starbucks owes an apology to all the families, in Squamish, their community, living with autism, to all of the families, in the World, their neighbourhood, living with autism, and especially to their partner (employee) and her child with autism, who spent the remainder of her day at work in silence and sadness because they took away the one day that we get to shine a bright light on autism.

Autism awareness is not “tacky.”

Starbucks, make this right.

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya

Edit: I’d like to add that this store often participates in local and world wide events, fundraisers, and awareness causes, and the partners (employees) have the flexibility to support and decorate the store to promote such campaigns so this wasn’t about permission.

UPDATE (April 23rd, 2015): The District Manager of this location left a comment at the bottom of this blog post denying everything:

Starbucks response to 'Starbucks, Make This Right.'

Wanting to hear his side of the story, and get some questions answered, I took him up on his offer. I sent him an email that same day and posted it as a reply in the comments below as well:

Bubbles Make Him Smile response to Starbucks, Make This Right

When I didn’t hear from him after a couple of days, I sent a follow up email from a different e-mail address incase my original e-mail went to his junk folder. I received an auto-reply response that he was out of the office until X day. So after that day, I followed up again, and got another auto-reply response that he was out of the office until X day again.

As of this update, I have not received a response from him.

UPDATE (April 23rd, 2015): The store is hosting an autism awareness event Friday, April 24th, 2015 from 2pm to 5pm in honour of Autism Awareness month. I’m not sure of all the particulars because they haven’t publicized it very well (no offense), but from my understanding there’s going to a representative from Autism Society of British Columbia to answer any questions people may have and provide information about autism to the community as well as some children’s activities and face painting.

I hope this is Starbucks making this right.

UPDATE (April 24th, 2015): Thank you, Starbucks, for hosting this event and bringing your community together in support of autism awareness!!!!!

I want you to know that it is absolutely beautiful that you were willing to TEACH your community about autism awareness, acceptance, and understanding. How much you LOVE and support your community enough to do this for them and hopefully INSPIRE many more autism awareness events throughout your community. And I personally HOPE this is something you will continue every year.

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Don’t #Vaccinate Your Child

The ‘vaccines cause autism’ controversy continues and R. Alan Ingalls is trying to put a stop to it with this simple message: Don’t Vaccinate Your Child

Don't #Vaccinate Your Child

As a father of a child with Autism, I am highly offended by people who claim they are not vaccinating their child because they are afraid it could result in their child having Autism. As a filmmaker, I decided to do something about it.

ABOUT THE VIDEO:
Why would someone choose to leave their children vulnerable to a potentially deadly disease just to prevent their child from being like mine? I happen to think my son is pretty awesome! In a twist of reverse psychology, the video simply contains a list of reasons why you shouldn’t vaccinate your child in hopes of empowering people to realize how silly (and ultimately dangerous) the thought of not vaccinating their child for a fear of Autism really is. I hope to urge parents to make a smart choice by choosing to protect their children from a deadly disease and take the risk of their child becoming a very special person.

For more information about R. Alan Ingalls and his PSA on the controversy around vaccinations, please visit his website.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Ten things every autism parent wishes you knew

I saw this posted in a local autism moms support group I’m in on Facebook and I absolutely loved it and asked to share. Enjoy!

I wrote a little while ago to demystify how others might be able to help parents of kiddos with autism. I really wish it was called Autism Action Month instead of awareness because with 1/68 kids affected, I think we are long past spreading awareness and need to get our asses in gear. Anyway, my article may be a little cantankerous and definitely may not apply to every parent (should change the title) but I hope you’ll read or share or think about it.
- Sherri Brown

I Love Someone With Autism

Ten things every autism parent wishes you knew
by Sherri Brown
  1. My child is not ‘suffering from autism’, they are living with it. Much as we all live with our own conditions and idiosyncrasies, my child lives with autism as one part of who he is. Please do not offer your pity or apologies; I am not sad for me; I am blessed to have this child to love and raise.
  2. Because my child is the sum of multiple parts, his/her autism is merely one. Please do not focus so exclusively on this one part that your concern with him or communication with me is dominated by that attention. Please try to focus on my child’s abilities, not their disability.
  3. The adage of ‘when you’ve met one child with autism, you’ve met one child with autism’ should be noted and respected. Although your neighbour’s daughter’s best friend may have autism, your comparisons, anecdotes, or supply of analytics might seem to offer an opportunity to relate, but I, in fact, rarely benefit from this exchange (see #5 for more info). Questions, offers of support, or tangible supports are most badly needed and appreciated.
  4. If you wish to learn more about my child’s disorder, please do so through the kind medium of questions. And when you ask questions, please listen supportively to my responses. I’ve spent a great deal of time learning about my child’s disorder and ‘quick fixes’ or ‘did-you-read-this-latest -article’ suggestions must be tempered by an understanding that the odds are a parent of a child with ASD has read, considered, and/or tried multiple treatment approaches or resources. Ultimately, like any other person dealing with a health issue, it can be intensely personal. You might not appreciate me sending you articles or relaying stories on diabetes, erectile dysfunction, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, etc., if you or a close family member were living with one of these conditions/disorders.
  5. I understand that #s 1-4 may be interpreted as a lack of gratitude, or worse, willful ignorance to a massive volume of information on autism. So, I ask that you bear with us as people who are living in a vexing reality of information deficit/surplus. We know a lot about autism, yet sometimes it feels as though we know very little about our child. What will their futures look like? Is this the right treatment approach? Am I overloading my child with too much therapy? My list of questions primarily relates to my unique child and not to the latest therapy or diet. Equally, the story about your neighbour’s daughter’s best friend may be fascinating, but given the multiplicity of ASD expressions and trajectories, I likely am not able to link that story to my own child and it can actually be painful to hear.
  6. If you wish to help my child, whether a friend, family member or service provider, please do not ignore me in the process. I am this child’s primary support system and we both wish to be treated with respect, with kindness, and with concern as to our day-to-day needs and experiences.
  7. If you wish to help, please ask me how you can be of help. I often dozens of ways that you can help including anything from the mundane to the complex. And sometimes, I may not need or desire help. Your offer, though, is appreciated so much; more than you know. I also promise to do my very best to make time for you when you need support, too.
  8. 8. Instead of #7, and you actually endeavour or serve to be a hindrance, an obstacle, a judgemental or ignorant ass, a know-it-all, a belligerent bureaucrat, an evader, or any other manner of person that makes my child’s life and learning that much more difficult, I will absolutely come at you with every resource, advocacy strategy, and support person that I can muster. We can have a relationship based on mutual respect and kindness or you can suffer the wrath of an autism parent. It’s your choice.
  9. I am still me, and I am not just the parent of a child with autism. I deeply appreciate any reminders from you about this, including offers to socialize, questions about jobs, vacations, or hopes for the future, and during rare opportunities to just spend time together. I thank you for your friendship. I aim to provide you with the same reminders on the wonderful youness of you.
  10. My family is different, not less. I ask that you appreciate our uniqueness, ask questions where you do not understand, and forgive us our harried sleep-deprived constitutions. Your typical child may not- on the surface - get much out of a playdate with our child, but I promise you that we are each teaching our children the extremely valuable lesson of ‘different, not less’.

Thank you so very much.

To learn more about Sherri Brown please visit Project Bearings. Project Bearings provides a place to discuss advocacy and navigational concerns with respect to autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

This picture is a face of Autism.

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook and I thought it was perfectly said and asked to share.

Today is April 2. It is also Autism Awareness Day. Of course since Miss Wow came into my life, this has become a significant day for our whole family. I won’t state stats at you. I won’t reiterate what is autism. I will simply say the following few things:

This picture is a face of Autism. And it is the most awesome face I have ever seen.

I love my kid. Simply because she is my world and cause she is an amazing personality.

Anyone who choses not to accept her or others like her, will be missing out on all their wonderfulness. That is sad for them.

This kid will rule the world. Or least the space she is in I have no doubt.

She will continue to be happy, healthy and whole - and that is all that truly matters.

(And if you hurt her in any way, you will understand the term "Mama Bear" in a whole new way.)
- Anita Helser

Light It Up Blue #LIUB for World Autism Awareness Day #WAAD

Today is World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD).

World Autism Awareness Day is a day to rally people around the world to raise awareness about a disorder that impacts 1 in 68 children. This is your opportunity to get your family, friends, and workplace on board to draw attention to the needs of those affected by autism and to educate people on what autism is.

Our hope is that this one day will spark increased awareness and support for autism year-round. WAAD may just be one day... but autism is a lifelong disorder that needs attention the other 364 days of the year.
- Autism Speaks Canada

In honor of people with autism worldwide, iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, schools, universities, bridges, retail stores, and thousands of homes will light blue beginning today.

This year we've joined Autism Speaks Canada’s ‘Light It Up Blue’ (LIUB) online campaign and had a photo shoot! Sometimes It’s hard for Bryce to make eye contact and smile for the camera, so just taking one picture isn’t always easy, instead, we take a bunch! Here’s the results of our little photo shoot of selfies in honour of World Autism Awareness Day!

We’ve also turned our Facebook and Twitter pages blue today in celebration of WAAD! Find out how you can too and Light It Up Blue!

Find out how you can Light It Up Blue and help spread autism awareness throughout your community!

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya and Bryce

P.S. Whether or not you support Autism Speaks organizations, this month and this campaign, is all about raising autism awareness and it starts with conversation. This month more than anything else is when the media and social media starts the discussion and ‘'blue’ gets people talking about autism which leads to understanding and acceptance and THAT is what Autism Awareness month is all about.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Documenting our life with autism in honour of Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness month and throughout this month we’re going to be documenting our lives with autism and sharing it with you all.

Our life isn’t that exciting, I don’t have fancy camera equipment, and I honestly don’t know how it will turn out, or what the end result will be, but I hope it helps give people a better understanding of autism.

Please follow us on Facebook or Twitter for updates on our video and little snippets here and there.

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya and Bryce

To learn more about Autism Awareness month and how you can participate and show your support please visit Autism Society.

Join the Light It Up Blue (#LIUB) campaign in celebration of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd, 2015. Visit Autism Speaks Canada or Autism Speaks for more information.