November is one of my favorite months (besides June because that’s my birthday!). November is a month I have chosen the last several years to use for reflection and gratitude. It is the month of Thanksgiving after all! Over the years I have done many things during November. One of which is to write (yes, hand write and mail) a card every day to someone I am thankful for. Other years I do a …
My Love / Hate Relationship with IEPs
I usually don’t start a post with a disclaimer but please accept this one time. This post is based on my personal experience as a mom and is also based on the way things were run in the city of Cleveland, Ohio 15 years ago… so read it with all that in mind! I was going through a purging phase recently. Decided it was time to go through the boxes that hadn’t been touched since moving six years …
Orange Effect Launches FUND60 Campaign
There are so many Joshuas. Since sharing with people our story, the journey of Joshua who at age three did not talk with words, but only with grunts and gestures, who is now a senior in high school at a regular education school, I have heard many stories from other families with similar experiences. It tears me apart when they share their struggles and warms my heart when they share their …
You Always Stop to Smell the Roses – A Lesson Learned from My Autistic Son
We were at Cedar Point recently. If you’re not familiar, it’s a roller coaster park in Sandusky, Ohio, about an hour from our home in Cleveland. My husband grew up in the town so it’s a part of his life. We have had season passes every year I can remember. When the boys were small we lived at Camp Snoopy inside Cedar Point. As they grew, we were able to try the many bigger rides they had to …
Just One of the Many Benefits of Technology for Speech Therapy
I don’t think it is true for everyone, but for me I am always a little extra proud when things originate in my home town. I’m just a huge Cleveland fan. So when I heard that Cleveland Hearing and Speech, whom Orange Effect Foundation has partnered with for several years to provide summer camp for kids with speech disorders, was the only area provider of Opti- Speech, I was pretty darn …
Checking Life’s Milestones Off The List
Do you do that? Do you keep a mental tally of the things you hope your child will successfully do and give yourself a pat on the back when they accomplish something? I sure did. Maybe it’s because they (doctors, society) harbor on it so much during a child’s first year. Did hold their head up, roll over, sit up, crawl, stand etc.--all within their first twelve months of life. Yikes that’s a …
Does Your Autistic Child Do That?
I love seeing the differences in my two sons. I am so blessed that they are best friends (knock on wood that sticks forever) and I know I am lucky that they do get along so well. In part, I think that is due to Joshua’s autism. He doesn’t see the value in arguing over very much except maybe iphone versus everything else. I started to wonder if his laid-back temperament was really due to his …
What Moms Really Want For Mother’s Day
I truly believe that family is a top priority. Many friends will tell you stories of my “family first” mentality. For me, my family includes my girlfriends. They are my rocks. They have gotten me through so much it’s truly indescribable. I think of them as heroes. They work hard, play harder, and parent like the amazing women that they are. So, as Mother’s Day approaches they are on my mind. They …
Do You Have Any Regrets? My Story With an Autistic Son.
I love connecting with parents. I have a soft spot for parents who recently had a child diagnosed with a special need. I tell them to focus on the special, and not on the need. The question I get asked the most is if I have any regrets, or anything I would do differently. I know why they ask and I don’t mind at all. Why reinvent the wheel they are thinking. Tell me how to fix this ASAP. …
The Orange Effect Foundation is Expanding!
As we begin our fourth year of independent operations, we are overwhelmed by the need for speech therapy and speech generating devices. Research shows that children with any speech delay or disorder have a higher chance of success with early intervention. Yet, every day we see children denied health insurance benefits that would help them achieve their therapy goals. At our first quarter …
Help! My Child Isn’t Motivated for Speech Therapy!
We started speech therapy for our son when he was two years old. Because he was autistic, and loved his routines and familiarity, we found someone who was willing to complete the sessions in our home. Still, it took months before he would participate in the activities or cooperate at all as he always had his own agenda! I’ve run into other parents who have had similar experiences, but many go …
Autism, Speech Therapy and Minecraft
Today a photo popped up in my Facebook memories that actually caused me to have a true emotional gasp! Look at the big genuine smile on those boys! That’s Adam on the left, and Joshua on the right. The photo was taken 5 years ago at Minecon - yes, that is right - the convention for Minecraft! Minecraft had a lasting impact on our family - so much so that one of my husband’s most popular …
