I just can’t seem to stop mentioning pro-tweeter, autistic savant, who’s real name is Mary Day-Petrano or, EquiisSavant, as we know her by on Twitter. Why? Well even though I don’t agree with some of the things she believes in Equiss get’s me thinking, something I greatly respect. The most reacent issues that has been bouncing through my head is such a common thought but someone taboo and even rude to ask about–therefore many people are left with their minds to wander to things they’ve seen in the media regarding autism.
This is why creating autism awareness should be the number one priority for all members of the community.
Just like any brand would spend the time and effort to get their product message, image, and name out there; so should the autistic community. Neglecting the need for awareness is quite literally letting the majority of people believe that every autistic child or adult is just like Dustin Hoffman character in the blockbuster movie Rain Man. Hoffman plays quite the dramatic role of an autistic savant who is taken out of his element by his brother, played by Tom Cruise. In this scene Cruise is trying to get him onto a plane so they can go to Los Angeles.
Face it. That is what American’s think all people with autism are like. Of course we know that isn’t the case, but what good does that do?
What can we do?
For one get involved with those social networks you already know, Twitter is great tool to begin spreading awareness. As are other major sites like Digg, Reddit, StumbleUpon. Each of which aggregates content from blogs via user submissions and shows them based on the communities level of interest. This awareness revolution can start from your desk chair to coffee shops. Anywhere you have internet access.
Start to discover stories on the web and submit them to Digg. Then send it out to your Twitter friends and get a discussion going about it. I promise you have friends who have been waiting to ask you questions about your loved ones condition, or perhaps even your condition. Get the discussion started.
View our pervious post called “Twitter Users You Should Be Following” to get some great friends to start following!
