Purpose & Description of Agency: ConnectAutism.org
Our vision is 3-fold: to Connect, Educate and Inspire
>> Connect:
>> Educate: What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? We want to educate and inform people from all aspects of life about ASD and how people who live with it are still a vital and viable asset to our society. Perhaps we can turn our focus toward working on developing their abilities rather than working so hard to change odd behaviors in order to make them appear more socially acceptable. Chances are if you don’t have ASD yourself, someone you know does…at work, school, or church, in your neighborhood or even your family. How can you become an advocate for someone in your sphere of influence?
>> Inspire: To inspire you to look beyond the disabilities to see the abilities of those who deal everyday with the issues of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We want you to get excited about understanding ASD and motivate you to begin to influence change in our society’s attitude toward those affected by this dif-ability. (Dif-ability…a word I came up with to describe the ability to do something, just in a different way than “normal”.) We need Diversity and tolerance for people with autism.
Inspiration: motivation…the want to…the "drive to" (passion)
Education: method…the "how to"
Inspiration is nothing without education.
However…nothing gets done without motivation and inspiration.
And if it isn't fun…it gets put off until last minute and maybe never does get done.
Again, we need diversity and tolerance for people with autism.
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
(Lesser known second stanza)
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.
Amen.
>> Connect:
>> Educate: What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? We want to educate and inform people from all aspects of life about ASD and how people who live with it are still a vital and viable asset to our society. Perhaps we can turn our focus toward working on developing their abilities rather than working so hard to change odd behaviors in order to make them appear more socially acceptable. Chances are if you don’t have ASD yourself, someone you know does…at work, school, or church, in your neighborhood or even your family. How can you become an advocate for someone in your sphere of influence?
>> Inspire: To inspire you to look beyond the disabilities to see the abilities of those who deal everyday with the issues of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We want you to get excited about understanding ASD and motivate you to begin to influence change in our society’s attitude toward those affected by this dif-ability. (Dif-ability…a word I came up with to describe the ability to do something, just in a different way than “normal”.) We need Diversity and tolerance for people with autism.
Inspiration: motivation…the want to…the "drive to" (passion)
Education: method…the "how to"
Inspiration is nothing without education.
However…nothing gets done without motivation and inspiration.
And if it isn't fun…it gets put off until last minute and maybe never does get done.
Again, we need diversity and tolerance for people with autism.
- Our goal is to teach parents and those with autism that there are things they can do to grow and overcome some of the challenges of autism (we don't have to succumb to all the negative aspects of autism);
- But also, to encourage acceptance for those things that are impossible or difficult to change for a person with autism; Think of the Serenity Prayer...
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
(Lesser known second stanza)
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.
Amen.
- To inspire others to take on a supportive role and advocate for those in their families and communities that have autism;
- To bring awareness to the fact that even though there are challenges and things can at times be overwhelming…because of the unique abilities that those with autism possess…they are a valuable and integral part of our society. Our world would be awfully dull without them. Remember, many of our technological advances have come because of someone with autism.
