Today is Autism Awareness Day and I wanted to recognize it with a short post.
I first became aware of autism in the spring of 2005. I was completing my psychology major while abroad at Middlesex University in London. That experience altered the course of my life. Had it not been for a small section in a psychology textbook at a school in the UK that sparked my interest in autism I might not be where I am today.
Over the last 15 years I have seen autism awareness increase exponentially. Organizations like Autism Speaks have been instrumental in driving scientific research and educating the public. Schools dedicated to instructing students with autism have mushroomed. Legal battles have been fought and won. Fundraisers like Night Of Too Many Stars have utilized celebrities to promote the cause. Sesame Street has introduced Julia, a character with autism, to make children more aware of and sensitive to their peers.
I am proud to have represented numerous children with autism over the last 10 years of practice in the area of special education law. Oftentimes children with autism require the most intensive interventions. Our law firm is committed to fighting for the full array of services that they may require, both in school and at home, intensively and consistently, to ensure that they achieve meaningful progress in order to become independent, contributing members of society as much as possible.
I continue to be amazed by the strength of the parents we work with and the skills, expertise, and dedication of the professionals who work with our clients who have autism.
I look forward to continuing to spread awareness about autism and fight for those families who are affected by it.