Where Are All The Autistic Kids?

I have a question.  


Kind of important...and I'm hoping for some feedback.


Where are all the autistic kids?


If the statistics are correct, with there being an incidence of 1 out every 150 kids developing autism - you'd think there would lots of autistic kids out and about.


But there aren't.  I should know - I get out and about....and I'm a pretty good observer of my environment.  I'm also pretty good at being able to identify autistic people.  I've had some experience in the matter.  I live with a little boy who has autism...as by now I'm sure you've all figured out.  So - I'm a bit of an authority on the subject.


So.  Just where are all the autistic kids?


And I think I have an answer.  And it's not one I like.


The kids are at home.  Living an isolated life because it's often just easier on the parents to leave them at home.  And no - I'm not blaming anyone for doing something like that.  I totally get it.  I've found myself on occasion wanting to do the same thing. 


But I don't.  He's my son.  And sure - he's a little off the wall sometimes....but he's a really cool dude.  So...I take him out with me.  We go to Wal-mart.  We go to the lake.  We go to Little Caesars. We go to the zoo.  We've even been to Disney World in Florida.  We go lots of places.  


No - it isn't always easy.  Sometimes it can be really difficult in fact.  But I have to take him places.  Our house is nice and all....but it isn't exciting - and it isn't all that the world has to offer.  There are times when I'm out with my son that I'll get the 'look' from other parents.  The 'look' usually implies "can't you control your child"...and "you must be a rotten parent".


To answer the questioning looks.  No - I can't always control my son.  And quite frankly - he doesn't need controlling...he's actually a really good kid - he needs understanding.  No - I most certainly am not a rotten parent.  I'm a kick ass parent.  I've got a son who tells me that all the time.  A rotten parent would have bailed a long time ago (sadly - that does in fact happen a great deal).


So...what's the point of this none too frequent blog posting?  It's this:  if you have an autistic kid.  Get him or her out there!  Experience the world with him or her.  And expose the rest of the world to the fact that not everyone is 'normal' and that these kids are part of society as well....and deserve everything that the world has to offer them.


And please, please, please...enough with the stupid looks when I'm in line at Wal-mart.  It's bad enough that I'm in the store as it is (I really don't like Wal-mart...and don't know anyone who admits to actually liking the place - and yet it's full all the time?)....I don't need people giving me weird looks.  Besides - we're going to around for quite awhile...going to lots of different places.  


So suck it up and get used it.  We're going everywhere.  You can watch...but please don't look.