Since my daughter was identified on the spectrum we have been active and engaging when it comes to activism, we have met other families and individuals with the same qualities or similar and others who are more sever then our daughter. With all the recent education that organizations such as Autism Speaks and The Autism Society and countless others who may not be as poplar in name recognition, like Parents Helping Parents in san Jose , CA , there is still so much that needs to be done to help support and educate countless others about the in's and out's of dealing with someone with ASD and how to provide a equal opportunity in not just a education setting but through out America. Whether that's how to confront a class mate or co worker who is having an issue in focusing with outburst or making sure that the person who has ASD is understanding and equipped with how to handle situations outside of there own home while engaging "normal" people out in the world that we find so easily to do.
Wear Blue Autism awareness Night: Encourage your Fans to Wear Blue during the month of April in support of those who have ASD, give local Charites or the non-profits in the area a profile in the game day programs or plugins during the game announcements. Have players wear Autism Awareness warm up T's or shoelaces similar to what the Glendale Raptors did last year. Invite the youth to walk out with the players, and parents if child needs assistance.
This past year the Seattle Seahawks them self's took an amazing step forward to insuring that fans but with ASD can enjoy game days, " But the Seahawks just took steps to make that environment a little more accommodating: The team now offers special toolkits to fans on the autism spectrum, giving them some gear to improve their experience at the game." Special tool kits were created and provided by the non-profit group called I'm A-Okay, "The kits feature both noise cancelling headphones and earplugs, since many children with autism are sensitive to noise. The kids also have a detailed game day schedule to help parents prep for every aspect of the visit to the stadium. A toy is included, as well as stickers and ID wristbands to let other fans know that the child may experience some difficulties at the game." such simple yet effective way to help make attending a rugby match in America that much more enjoyable for the fan who is on the Spectrum and for a parent like my self who wants to take there child to a game.
There is countless other ways that you ProRugby can do your part and USA Rugby for that matter also, you can make a big difference in countless lives. I am just a man sitting at his key board reaching out to you who have the power to make a difference in so many life's and impact so many others. As much as the general public is a wear of some the underlying issues that associate with someone on the spectrum in society there is still so much that needs to be taught and understood. A mother or father should not have to apologize to the other people in line at the grocery store when there son or daughter break out into a tantrum and they can not get them to calm down, A young man or woman should not feel embarrassed if in the middle of class or work they have to leave and isolate them self's because they cant stop the urge to hit them self's or stop fidgeting. Parents should not be a shamed because there child is different!
Dear PRO Rugby North America this April help #LighItUpBlue at the many games happening next month, bring #AutismAwareness to the rugby community and the rugby community to the Autism community. Get in contact with the people at autism friendly locations or the other organizations through out America about possibly getting the same "Tool Kits" that where provided to the Seattle Seahawks to help make the games that much more enjoyable for that young fan, for that family , individual person. I encourage you to please help make a impact in the many lives of people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, I promise you that not just Pro Rugby but the over all sport of Rugby will leave a everlasting life changing experience to everyone it touches. Can you imagine the day that a USA rugby player who is representing on the National team or playing his/her first Pro Rugby match is someone who is on the spectrum, that is a day I look forward to see.
And if you are still not convinced that the Sport of Rugby and Autism don't mix, here is a few articles from the UK where the sport of rugby was introduced to kids with ASD and had a very positive effect on there lives and actually helped young people come out of there shell's and begin to interact with other people, sadly these articles are quite old and have not found anything recent just yet but am open to adding them if anyone wish's to inform me. 1) - Parents hail 'enormous' benefits of rugby training for autistic children 2) - Kicking autism into touch
I ask those of you who wish to see some action to please connect with ProRugby through there social media sites and urge them to step up and make a difference in 2016 and to also get in contact with USA Rugby to help make every game Autism Friendly, use #AutismAwerness or #RugbysupportsAutism #AutismInRugby when posting please.
PRO RUGBY-
Twitter: @ProRugbyUSA
Facebook: www.facebook.com/prorugby
Instagram: @PRO_Rugby_USA
Website: www.prorugby.org/
USA RUGBY-
Twitter: @USARugby
Facebook: www.facebook.com/usarugby
Website: www.usarugby.org
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