April #Autism Action Month: Action Speaks Louder than Awareness

 

By Lisa Ackerman

I am more than aware of autism.  This is the 16th Autism Awareness Month my family has experienced.  There are many families like ours who want more than awareness, we want people to be educated about autism and to share that knowledge with others.

This month provides TACA members with an opportunity to educate our circles of friends, neighbors and co-workers.  We can tell them about autism and how it affects the family. This April we are asking every one of our TACA members to spread educated awareness, and be the catalyst that gets the community involved.

TACA’s autism awareness campaign has been designed so that everyone (individuals, businesses, clubs, groups and schools)  can show their support of families!

TACA has created several ways for ANYBODY to help.   By helping the foundation that supports them, you are helping families living with autism.

Here are the THREE ways to help TACA continue to help families:

Family & Friends Campaign- Tell your story!  It will inspire others.  TACA provides a platform for you to tell it.  Sign up, put as much or as little of your autism journey into words, add a photo of your child and join the hundreds of families raising awareness and funds for TACA this April.  A great part of April for everyone involved with TACA is reading these family stories, watching their videos and hearing about how TACA has helped their family.  To get started fundraising or to check out family stories: http://www.tacanow.org/ways-to-help/family-friends-campaign/ .

Jeans Day for Autism – Jeans Day for Autism is April 15th.  But it can be any single day or series of days that allows companies, employees and employers to demonstrate their commitment to families living with autism.  On April 15 or designated Jeans Day for Autism dates, businesses will allow and encourage employees to go casual for a cause in return for a charitable contribution to Talk About Curing Autism. And TACA has everything you need to get started: http://www.tacanow.org/ways-to-help/jeans-day-for-autism/ .

#AutismTough – Take part in TACA’s social media campaign.  Change your profile picture, add a graphic to your email signature or where ever you can!  Add a little #AutismTough where people will stop and consider it.  Why #AutismTough?  The autism journey is difficult, it’s TOUGH for our families and especially for our kids.  On the flipside, with everything our families and kids endure, overcome and accomplish, they become tough and strong.  Use TACA’s graphics!  You’ll find them here: http://www.tacanow.org/ways-to-help/autism-action-month/

 

 

No matter how you participate, you are helping spread educated awareness of autism. Remember you are an essential piece of this puzzle.  You can drive positive change for your family and for the others in your community.

Awareness is great. Activation is even better. This month families can really activate their communities to CHANGE OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE BETTER.

Many of TACA’s members especially via our chapter efforts will be out in your community raising awareness with the goal of activating their community. We need your help.

Once your circle of friends and people you know become aware about autism, allow them to show their support. TACA needs their support because there is much work to do beyond the 30 days of April. TACA is here for families who need our help. We are here and won’t give up.