Autism Awareness vs. Acceptance

4/20/2022

April marks Autism Awareness Month. Every parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and those with Autism Spectrum Disorder will tell you that every day, every month of every year is Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a lifelong disability. According to Webster's Dictionary, acceptance means 1. the act of taking or receiving something offered. 2. favorable reception; approval; favor. 3. the act of assenting or believing: acceptance of a theory. 4. the fact or state of being accepted or acceptable. Awareness means 1. the state or condition of being aware; having knowledge; consciousness.

Awareness is knowing that something is happening.
Acceptance is seeing a person for who they are.
Awareness is focused on shortcomings or deficits.
Acceptance is focused on what you're good at and what can you do for yourself.
Awareness means you can identify a neurodiversity.
Acceptance means you're able to talk to neurodiverse individuals and gain understanding and compassion.
Awareness is trying to cure me.
Acceptance is not trying to cure me.

Image created by Maisie Moore she/they - Autism Advocate @mini.moores

Sources:
https://nsadvocate.org/2018/03/20/autism-awareness-or-acceptance-two-very-different-mindsets/
https://www.instagram.com/mini.moores/

Written by Emily Wachter

Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a social worker. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.

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April Bulletin

4/12/2022

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April Bulletin

Contents:

Autism Awareness Month
Performance Photo Galleries
THANK YOU - Purple Bucket!
PEEPshow Now Open
Virtual Info Session
NEW Programs & Classes
Art & Wine Festival
Community Events

Barrier-Free Announcements

Celebrating Autism Awareness Month

Autism Awareness Month April 1 - 30

Join us all throughout April and year-round as we celebrate the achievements, talents, and abilities, of neurodiverse individuals with autism!

Performance Photo Galleries

A BIG thank you to Mort Shuman for expertly capturing our Saturday, March 19th performances!

Click Here - S’mores Wars Photos

Click Here - One Star Resort Photos

THANK YOU!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

27 days, three phenomenal performances, over 80 unique donors, and two matching donors, we have raised $20,104 for our Purple Bucket Campaign.

Thank you for helping us keep our programs affordable and accessible. Thank you for supporting our mission. Thank you for supporting inclusion.

Click Here to Donate

15th Annual PEEPshow!

The 15th Annual PEEPshow opens TODAY April 8 - 18 at The TownMall of Westminster!

Please vote online or in-person for Barrier-Free's submission "S'mores Wars” made by our Studio members!

This sweet fundraising event features marshmallow masterpieces all crafted from or inspired by PEEPS®. You can view the entries for free and buy votes for your favorites, with all proceeds benefiting the Arts Council.

Barrier-Free is proud to be funded in part by a Community Arts Development grant from the Carroll County Arts Council.

Virtual Info Session

Join us on Zoom Tuesday, April 19th at 6:15pm to learn about Barrier-Free's Life Skills & Social Studio, NEW Music Studio offerings, and Expressive Arts Classes.

Current and prospective Barrier-Free"ers" are encouraged to attend as well as community members seeking to learn more about Barrier-Free.

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

Click Here to Register

NEW - Barrier-Free Music Studio

Mike Morton, aka "Music Mike," Barrier-Free’s beloved Music Director is proud to present Barrier-Free’s Music Studio!

Music is a universal language that anyone can understand, and at the Barrier-Free Music Studio our goal is to make music accessible to everyone! We offer musical classes, lessons, and support for people of all abilities, with a focus on self expression and gaining self-confidence in your own voice. Music is an amazing way to break down the barriers that divide us.

Music Mike will be offering Music & Mentorship private lessons and Jam Sessions at The Music Studio located at 7520 Main St #103 Sykesville, MD 21784 on Sundays.

Click Here to Learn More

Click Below to see a Jam Session Sneak Peek

Summer Classes Now Enrolling!

All Summer classes will be offered IN-PERSON. Please check class details for the location.

BUNDLE & SAVE - click “Learn More” on any class.

Currently Barrier-Free is not offering any virtual programming.

Summer Improv

Barrier-Free’s beloved summer class is back for ANOTHER round of acting fun! During the course of this 8-week class, participants will learn and engage in the basics of character-based improv and sketch comedy.

Learn More

Power Up!

This 8-week class will encourage individuals to practice various physical & drama skills - coordination, balance, and nonverbal communication - through lots of fun activities and exercises. These activities will include anything from a football toss to hip-hop dancing - something to keep everyone engaged and excited!

Learn More

Join us at the Art & Wine Festival

Saturday, May 7

Barrier-Free Life Skills & Social Studio members are thrilled to be an Art Vendor at the upcoming Art & Wine Festival in Downtown Sykesville!

Stop by to support our members!

Learn More

Community Events

Run Wild for Autism

Please join Pathfinders for Autism for their 12th Annual Run Wild for Autism. The run is back in person at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore to bring a day of awareness, competition and fundraising for the community.

Learn More

Transition Symposium

A free 4-part webinar series designed for transitioning individuals and their families.

There are two webinars left!

Learn More

Shine in Your Own Light Showcase

Join the Howard Count Autism Society for an evening of artistic expression! Shine! in Your Own Light Showcase featuring the performances and visual art of teens and adults with Autism.

Learn More