Tuesday, April 15, 2014

AUTISM AWARENESS GIVEAWAY


To our lovely Naughty and Nice Book Blog followers;

April is Autism Awareness month. This is a cause that is very important to me. Recently, my four-year-old son was placed on the Autism Spectrum. Not long after we received the diagnosis, while dealing with the tons of paperwork for the school system, I started reading a book, Red Hill by Jamie McGuire. (Good thing I wasn’t getting much sleep already, cause me reading about the zombie apocalypse was not conducive for sleeping.) At one point in the story a character talks about his daughter and how she needs things to be a certain way, or she will have an episode. He mentions the looks they receive when she is “acting out”. I’ve been the recipient of that look on many occasions, and it was almost as if I was there as I read those words. I’ve seen people whispering, and I’ve had people tell me my son just needs his butt worn out. And, you know what, I’ve been one of the people giving those looks, because until you experience it, you just can’t know what it’s like and most people don’t have a clue why your child is acting out. People see a kid pitching a fit because he didn’t get his way. Yep, he does that too, he is four after all, but there is a difference in a tantrum and an “episode”.

I don’t get upset when other people look. I get it, my son is screaming incoherently at the top of his lungs, and he may or may not be lying on the floor, flopping around like a fish out of water. Well, I may have told the person whose advice was to beat my child’s ass to fuck off and die, but that’s another story. The thing is most people don’t understand what Autism is, and they have no idea what a “typical” autistic child looks like. They can’t, because there is no “typical” autistic child. The one question that seems to pop a lot when you mention an autistic child is, “Is he like Rain Man?” This is a lot of people’s only frame of reference when it comes to Autism.
The support we've received for my son has touched us so deeply. I can't tell you how many messages I've received offering to help with anything from information to their personal stories. Having someone say I've been where you are, and it may not be easy, but everything will be okay.

In a small effort to raise awareness of the very broad spectrum that Autism encompasses I’m issuing a little challenge. The challenge is for you to post on your Facebook timeline a picture &/or status promoting Autism awareness. Once you have posted the picture &/or status you may enter the giveaway for the signed books listed below.

Liz
**This prizes associated with this giveaway is not affiliated with & should not be seen as an endorsement from the authors. The authors of the prizes listed in this giveaway are not responsible for the giveaway.
***Some prizes have not been released yet. The books will be shipped after they are available.

****Open in the continental US only.

BE SURE TO CLICK THROUGH THE PRIZES!! One post earns you a chance to win!

Aleatha Romig Consequences, Truth, & Convicted
Michelle Lynn The Invisibles Series & Collaboration
Tia Louise Reader's Choice
Michelle Kemper Brownlow In Too Deep & On Solid Ground
Felicia Lynn Tied Up In Heartstrings
Jenn Foor Love's Suicide & The Mitchell Book 1
L.B. Simmons The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller
Nyrae Dawn Masquerade
Kelly Elliott Broken & Broken Dreams
F. L. Jacob Have I Told You & I Won't Give Up on You
Gretchen de la O The Wilson Mooney Series
AL Jackson Winner's choice
Megan C. Smith Expired Regrets
Kallypso Masters Nobody's Perfect
Cleo Scornavaca Miss Taken
Colleen Hoover Maybe Someday

 
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8 comments:

  1. My 14yo son is on the spectrum as well. Thanks for using your platform to bring about more awareness!

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  2. This is awesome! My son also has Autism ♥ Keep spreading the awareness, these kids need more acceptance!

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  3. What a wonderful campaign to show support. I work with some children within the spectrum - most on the high functioning end, and I feel for the parents who support/love/wait for the day they can embrace their child(ren). Thanks for promoting the cause!

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  4. Liz, my heart goes out to you and all the other families affected by autism. I have three small children of my own and have not had to face any issues as difficult and trying as I know this one can be. This is a wonderful cause and I am so happy to be able to show my support. Thank you for bringing this to the forefront for me this month and giving me the opportunity to help raise awareness.

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  5. I have three nephews with autism and I work as a therapist, often working with adults who have autism. Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism...we often forget to be just as loving and understanding to an adult with autism as we are to a child. Autism has never kept our family from doing anything different...we use headphones to diminish the sounds on the 4th of July or at parades...but never once have we been ashamed of the small alterations we have to make, rather we sometimes become ashamed of society and their lack of knowledge on the support area. So when you hear a sharp tongued comment, instead of going by instinct and being upset...take it as an opportunity to inform and enlighten others...some may be rude, others will be grateful and hopefully as a whole we can be more tender hearted to these individuals and families :)

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  6. I have a daughter she is 10 almost 11 years old with severe autism she is nonverbal. i am very active in my community spreading the word about autism

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  7. Thank you to all the awesome authors for getting together to bring awareness about autism you all are so wonderful.

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