We'd love just a little more understanding. #WorldAutismDay

Today, April 2nd, is World Autism Awareness Day.

We've done this pic to link up with A Boy With Asperger's blog. She wanted to reveal the bigger picture to help increase autism awareness. 

I know that most people interested enough to read this blog already know about autism, but I'm living in hope that somebody may just retweet or share this with at least one other person that doesn't know or 'get' it.

'Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.' For this quote and further info please see the NAS (National Autistic Society) website.

We believe Sasha shows signs of PDA - Pathological Demand Avoidance. The NAS describe this in detail on their PDA page. 'The central difficulty for people with PDA is their avoidance of the everyday demands made by other people, due to their high anxiety levels when they feel that they are not in control.'

'People with PDA can be controlling and dominating, especially when they feel anxious and are not in charge. They can however be enigmatic and charming when they feel secure and in control. Many parents describe their PDA child as a 'Jekyll and Hyde'. It is important to recognise that these children have a hidden disability and often appear 'normal' to others.'

If I can help spread awareness just a teeny tiny bit, it may help Sasha to have not such a difficult life as she gets older. I really don't want her to be the victim of bullies, or of lack of support and understanding in her everyday environment. For now she is blissfully unaware, and I truly dread the day when she begins to understand herself. I can't wrap her in cotton wool but I'd like to cushion the blow.

Please help. Retweet, share, tell just one person who has no understanding of autism, and you can help us all. Thank you.