I had a couple of requests for a story about seeing other people wear masks out in public. I had been thinking about writing one because I live in Wisconsin and while many people are wearing masks in stores, not everyone is. Even as an adult, it felt kind of strange and startling to see people wearing masks. I'm SURE that our kids are feeling the same way. Once we talk about …
autism
Why I Wanted Vaccines to Cause Autism*
*Controversial Blog Post Title On Purpose Last year, yet another study of over 650,000 kids showed no link between vaccines and autism. This article from Business Insider is thorough in the review of the study and the reason it is so important--mainly because we need to vaccinate kids. Parents who fear that vaccines cause any form of birth defects are not getting their children …
We Spend a Lot of Time Waiting. One Mom’s Thoughts.
I’m starting this post during the holiday season (you’re reading it after). I tried this year to shop small and shop local, so I’ve been standing in a lot of lines. It got me thinking about time and how much waiting one person might do in their lifetime. It could be waiting for a friend to show for lunch. Waiting for a call from a loved one. Waiting for a store to open to get a limited edition …
No, My Son Isn’t Rude. He’s Autistic, and We’re All Doing the Best We Can.
Midway through American Airlines Flight 101 from Heathrow to JFK, shortly after our microwaved meatball dinners were tossed out like frisbees, the flight attendant asked my son Ian if he wanted another beverage. He intently played his Tetris game on the backseat video console without replying or glancing her way. Missing most of that exchange, I looked over in time to hear the flight attendant …
To Parents of Children With Autism Who Worry About the Future
Dear Parents of Children with Autism, You are true warriors. You’re the most determined individuals on Earth. You’re tired. You’re probably in need of a shower because you haven’t been able to leave your child’s side for even a few minutes. You may be running around trying to balance work and meeting your other family needs. Yet you’re here, pushing through each day giving your child with …
Catching Waves For Well-Being
Surf therapy programs often focus on children with autism or anxiety, or groups like veterans or cancer survivors. Evidence indicates that surfing has a positive effect on mindfulness in addition to its physical benefits. Learn more about surf therapy and a California-based surf therapy nonprofit that focuses on children with neurological disabilities in this recent New York Times article. …
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 …
The Three Month Rule
Today I was interviewed by a graduate student who was doing research on autism, parenting, and all that jazz. One of his last questions was, "What would you tell a new to autism family or just any family that maybe just needed some inspiration?" So I told him the secret of my sanity. (No, it's not wine.) It's wait three months. Three, just like Schoolhouse Rock taught us, is the magic …
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 …
Some Autism Traits May Show Up Later in Girls Than in Boys
Girls with autism traits have fewer problems with social communication than boys do early on, but their skills worsen by adolescence, a new study suggests1. The researchers looked at social traits of autism in the general population, rather than in children diagnosed with autism. Girls have fewer of these social issues than boys at age 7, but their social skills match those of boys by age …
Happy Mother’s Day. Autism Style.
Happy Mother's Day! It's your day to relax and unwind! Just kidding! You're an autism mom. You're still doing the same damn stuff you do all the other 364 days a year! Schedule to keep Moms!! Chop! Chop! And because you're an autism mom, you know that it will be a better day with the schedule even if it means doing the stuff you don't really want to do for the hundredth time. (Oh, we're …
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 …