Gray Center SUN News

One of my favorite aspects of working for The Gray Center has been meeting people with a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). I find them to be genuine, interesting, honest, and talented. Their perspectives on life are unique, and often their ability to focus on one thing, or to notice minute details puts this “too busy to notice or sit still for long” person to shame.

I know that their challenges are real, and are apparent not only to them, but also to those who live with them and work with them. However, all too often their abilities go unnoticed or under-appreciated, and their contributions to society may be less than they could be if we would do more to enable and encourage them.

Autism Awareness Month is a great time to deliberately reach out to those with ASD to let them know that they are noticed and appreciated for who they are. We can take time to listen as they discuss their interests. We can write a note or Social Story(TM), or create a poster or a scrapbook congratulating them on an achievement, big or small, or letting them know we love them. We can find a way for them to use their gifts in meaningful ways. We can help them learn more about themselves in an effort to develop a healthy self-esteem and self-awareness.

Two people who speak and write very articulately about their experiences as a person on the autism spectrum are Nick Dubin and Sondra Williams. The Gray Center is providing some of their resources at a significant discount this week to enable you to purchase copies for yourself or to pass along to your local library, school district, or nonprofit organization serving your community. You can find those books and DVDs at www.thegraycenter.org. If you’re interested in having Nick or Sondra speak for your group or conference, you can write to christy@thegraycenter.org for more information.

One way to reflect on the positive attributes of Asperger’s Syndrome is to read “The Discovery of Aspie Criteria” on our web site at http://www.thegraycenter.org/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=58. This article by Tony Attwood and Carol Gray takes an appreciative look at the diagnosis as a “discovery” of the many gifts and abilities often associated with Asperger’s Syndrome. Beverly Bishop’s book, “My Friend with Autism,” helps children understand a peer or sibling with ASD. Our web site contains numerous resources for increasing the understanding of parents and professionals, as well as the self-understanding of those with ASD.

I hope you’ll take a moment to reach out to someone with ASD this month! You can also use our SUN News blog here to post a comment praising someone in your life who has been diagnosed with ASD.

And to all of my friends with ASD, thank you for enriching my life and helping me to become more understanding of others!

Laurel Hoekman, Executive Director
The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding
www.thegraycenter.org

P.S. It is with great sadness that we say good-bye to Alex Gilpin (son of Wayne Gilpin, President of Future Horizons, Inc.) who passed away on March 30. We are thankful for all that Alex taught us, and for the way that he so quickly accepted us as his friends. Many of us were privileged to hear Alex and his longtime friend, Scott Lambeth, speak at a conference together, including The Gray Center’s 2003 conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Gray Center staff encourages you to remember Scott and the Gilpin family, as well as the extended Future Horizons family, in your thoughts and prayers as they go through the difficult days and weeks ahead.

NOTE:  Please note that our Gray Center office will be closed through next week as our staff spends “spring break” with our families. Our Grand Rapids office will be open for a couple of hours on Wednesday morning, April 9, if you need to speak with someone during the week.