Healthcare and Medical News: The Support I Needed I Found

Tom Gisler, Self Advocate, Board Member, Autism Society Central Ohio

Dear Hcis,

There are so many people with autism, still lost at sea, adrift in the "neurotypical ocean". Think about this analogy. You are all alone, in a foreign environment that was not meant for you; just trying to survive. Everywhere you look, there is more ocean. Day after day, year after year… just drifting.. waiting… trying to find a reason to hope that some way, somehow, you will be rescued.

Sadly, there are not many services for adults, especially for those of us who are diagnosed later in life. Though we may have found our way home, we often lack the knowledge, skills and means we need to manage our lives as autistic adults. The first step for us has been finding a community that is accepting, inclusive and supportive of people on the spectrum. The Autism Society with its support of autism throughout the lifespan is an important part of that community.

Your donation to the Autism Society helps people of all ages and circumstances to do more than just be rescued. It helps us to have a chance to thrive in our "new" autistic life. This is a new frontier. So much is still being learned about the many ways autism expresses itself in us. We are still learning about ourselves, what it means to be autistic and what we need to thrive. This is what the Autism Society does. They give us the opportunity, tools and support we need to understand ourselves, find and develop our gifts, manage our challenges, and give us a chance to be part of the community.

Please consider contributing a gift today. Your donation to the Autism Society will help provide families and individuals on the autism spectrum with the accommodations and support we need to thrive.

Sincerely,

Tom Gisler

Self-Advocate

Board Member, Autism Society Central Ohio