Most of our calendars list April as Autism Awareness Month, but many members of the autistic community are pushing for a name change.

We're typically asked to be aware of things that are dangerous or ailments in need of a cure or prevention -- October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month or National Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March, for example.

Naming April an awareness month for autism sends the message that autism spectrum disorder is something to fear or avoid and that people living with autism can be made "normal" with the right treatment.

In reality, autism is a lifelong neurological and developmental condition that can affect a person's social skills, communication, relationships and self-regulation. It's called a spectrum disorder because of the wide........

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