One of the beauties of my chosen profession is that we get to see change. Nothing is stagnant and though our role may be small in the grand scheme of things, we can make an impact. One small way in which we can make that impact is by advocating for our patients, bringing attention to the challenges they face, and working to change the way in which they are treated. A group of communication disorders that is especially in need of this advocacy is Autism Spectrum Disorder. Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorders are increasing at a staggering rate and to date there is no effective medical cure.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are often misunderstood and stigmatized due to their struggles with communication, social interaction, and behavior. It a challenging population to work with because there is no quick fix, every child is so very different, and there is so much more that still needs to be learned about the disorder.
In an effort to raise money and awareness for Autism research and treatment, Nashville hosted the Walk Now for Autism and the Bill Will sponsored a team. The event was a huge success with over $130,000 raised. Though the walk was inspiring and it was powerful to see all how many families in the Nashville area are impacted by ASD, so much more work needs to be done to help these children. So if you feel so inclined, please visit the website. Though the walk is over, you can still donate. If you’re broke like this girl, you should still check it out if, for no other reason, than to spur a little extra compassion the next time you meet one of these unique children.
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