The Face of Autism by The Wacky Cookie Company

Hi, I am Aymee of The Wacky Cookie Company

The very first time I met an autistic child was in the summer of 2000, when I was lucky enough to be chosen to work at a special school called Lindamood Bell Learning Processes.

I will never forget the day when I was told that, that very afternoon, I would be working with a young man that had a form of Autism called Asperger’s syndrome.

Truth be told, I was a bit frightened. You see, I was like most people who did not know what in God’s name Asperger’s Syndrome was, let alone Autism.

Embarrassingly, I admit that because I have a cousin who has CP, my first thought was that perhaps Autism was something similar. I panicked and thought about how I could serve this child to the best of my ability . Needless to say, I was nervous and fidgety until he walked into the room.

The Young man introduced himself to me. He was handsome, well dressed, clean, neat and polite. Physically he looked like any other child his age and when we started to engage in conversation I have to admit that I was blown away by his incredible communication skills.

After that first meeting with my student, I went home and immediately started doing my homework on Autism. I could NOT believe that someone who seemed so incredibly communicative, even articulate was Autistic.

I worked with this student all summer and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am very good at making pictures in my head when I read, I was there to help him do that, and express himself. I think he taught me way more than I could have ever taught him. I was so blessed and enriched by that experience.

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects approximately 1 in 90 children ( KIMMIE correct my figure if it is incorrect, I am not sure if its 1 in 90 or 1 in 77 now?) in the United States alone. These kids might fall anywhere under the broad spectrum of autism, it can be mild or severe .

Autistic children are bright, creative, highly sensitive people, who may not be able to communicate the way you and I do, but they feel and think and deserve all the love, affection, and opportunities that everyone else does.

I am so honored to have been invited to participate , and speak out, and advocate for these amazing children. The handsome young man who I have tried to portray on my cookie , is none other than the amazing Collin, Kim’s son.

I created this cookie to honor him, and all the other Autistic boys and girls, women and men in our society, I encourage you to do your homework about Autism and spread the word about how amazing and gifted these people are.

With Love,
Aymee