For many years, we didn't travel or attend gatherings. It was too exhausting for Jack. He had to process new environments, decipher voices talking at the same time, recognize faces, absorb emotions and respond to unexpected sounds, lights and movements. It cost him too much energy.

My heart swelled and broke simultaneously. I wanted to help him and had to resist approaching the ringleader to ask if my boy could play too. Even though he is only five and -- hopefully -- far from the years that my mere existence will utterly embarrass him, I knew he didn't want me to interfere.

When people figure that Max has autism because he looks or acts a certain way, or when people think that kids with autism are like Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man, they presume to know what our children are like -- which does our kids a major disservice.

These six apps and sites are a few of the communication and social interaction tools that can be fun and effective for kids with autism.

Let's move on and put these myths to rest so we'll have more to celebrate next year on Autism Awareness Day.

I was one of the millions who voted for you, and as the mother of a teenage boy with autism, I am grateful that you did so much in your first term to help families coping with autism.