So there I was on Twitter again, and I saw this come up in my twitterstream: Autistic Marine Booted From the Corps Go read it. I’ll wait. Done? Good. Did you not freak out a little? I did. Do you know how easy it is for children like Spiff to be easily led into doing…
Category Archives: Advocacy
Get Me Out Of This Box!
I pulled today’s post from my archive for two reasons – the new school year will soon be upon us, and I, like many other parents I know, are still battling the same things we have battled for years. I would like your comments, especially comments with strategies to make this school year better than…
Meeting Girls
Matthew called me last night with one of his ideas-one that I know he’d been obsessing about. “I was thinking,” he said enthusiastically, “I’ve lived on the east coast and on the west coast. Now I want to try the mid coast.” He said he thought Louisiana would be a good place because they have…
Two Sides To Every Story
Yesterday afternoon I sat in a meeting with a behavior specialist, a case manager, day support staff and group home staff – all to discuss my daughter, Jessica and her ongoing and increasing aggressive and negative behaviors. Jessica’s negative and aggressive behaviors are not new. Every since I adopted her nine years ago, she has…
Helping people see beyond the disability
It’s Sunday evening, we’re at our favorite local diner. They know us here, but tonight there’s a new waitress and Max has a crush on her. All she has to do is smile at him and he giggles. Max finishes eating, jumps up from the table and proceeds to stroll around the restaurant (it’s one…
That Time of Year
It’s that time of year again – the lazy hazy days of summer. Visits to the pool and beaches, cookouts, catching fireflies at night – making wonderful memories of a time slowed by heat and humidity. Unfortunately, it is also a time when many children will lose their lives through absolutely no action of their…
To Tell or Not to Tell, That is the Question…
Do I, or don’t I? Do I tell them? Or do I just wait for the inevitable phone call, or note home? One of the many things I struggle with when it comes to Spiff is whether or not to tell you about his Autism. And by you I mean anyone. Teachers, Camp Staff, Friends,…
Try This Tuesday #52: VideoPlaylist.org
Today I wanted to share another great online resource that I have heard about recently, called VideoPlaylist.org. Here’s the basic concept of the site, as stated by the founder: Does anyone else use YouTube videos with their ASD kids? We use YouTube videos with my son both as reinforcers and as a self-guided leisure activity….
Celebrating Joys Shared: A Blue Bunny Ice Cream Photo Contest
Well, it looks as though Mr. Linky has jumped ship yet again. sigh. So just add your link in the comments section below and we’ll add them to Mr. Linky when he’s back up. I think if you could ask a parent of a child with special needs what they would like others to know…
When Comedy Isn’t Funny: Erick Sean Nelson
By now word of Sarah Palin’s impending resignation is old news. The media has come up with all kinds of reasons why Palin has chosen to abandon (!) the state of Alaska, calling her everything from a Schmuck to just a plain ol’ quitter Because, really, it couldn’t have anything to do with those costly…