April is National Autism Awareness Month.

Autism affects a large number of people in one way or another. While we tend to get images in our minds of the severely affected, it is a "spectrum disorder." This means that there are many on the mild to very mild end as well. Remember that kid at school who was such a geek? Always had his nose in a book and aced all of the tests but couldn't remember to say Hi or Thank You? and wore some really ridiculous clothes? He probably had one of these disorders, most likely Asperger's Syndrome. So many of these people struggle to get through life in world that really doesn't make a lot of sense to them and recieve nothing but ridicule for thier efforts. Take some time to do an internet search for autism, Asperger's Syndrome, or pervasive developmental delays and learn some about the difficulties that are faced on a daily basis. Then start paying attention to those around you and giving a pat on the back to those who try so hard and the family and friends that work so hard to support them.