The Value of a Smile

April 1, 2015 | Brigitte Carrier

Testimonial by the mother of a young adult with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

April is Autism Awareness Month. Many parents of children with ASD are engaged in an ongoing struggle with this condition, for which there is as yet no miracle cure. Concretely, how can you offer help on a daily basis?

Here’s one example: In a public place, if you witness a child having an outburst (likely triggered by the noise, the bright lights, the large space, or the crowds), smile at the adult accompanying the child. This simple, friendly contact can mean a lot. If the adult seems receptive (the crisis may monopolize their attention, and besides being completely exhausted, they may also be experiencing shame, anger, or sadness), you can reach out by saying something like, “It’s not always easy, is it? Can I help you to …” As a sign of solidarity, you can also intervene if a bystander should happen to make a disparaging remark. Intimidation is never appropriate!

If you’d like to get more involved, consider volunteering for your local autism association (french) or donating toys or books. Let’s keep those smiles coming!