Viewpoints
For the Mom Who…
May 10th
…has to drive her infant around at 2 in the morning because being in a moving car is the only way he will go back to sleep.
…sometimes cooks three separate meals for dinner because her picky eater will only have pizza – but the crust has to be right, it can’t be too cheesy, the pepperoni better not be the spicy kind and there can’t be too much sauce. Oh and definitely not the sauce that is too sweet or has any green stuff in it.
…on some days actually falls asleep standing in the shower.
…most likely has read “Goodnight Moon” More >
[Guest Post] I See What You Are Saying
Apr 26th
“I see”, he said, “I see exactly what you mean.”
“No you don’t”, she answered, “you haven’t listened to anything I’ve been saying and you have no idea what I am talking about.”
And in just a few short sentences, you have the beginnings or perhaps, the continuation of a disagreement. Could be about something easy like where to go for dinner, or something of more import like getting married.
But whatever sort of subject it is, when the conversation starts going in this direction, you know it is not going to be long before there’s a real problem in communications.
So what’s the More >
Siblings in the Shadows
Apr 3rd
“It’s not fair! Everything you say is always about Autism, Autism, Autism! You always write about him and put his pictures everywhere!”
My firstborn gets a little sensitive about my website and the training classes, workshops and marketing materials I create. Sure, I can remind her about all the special privileges she receives and the times we go places without her brother. But that isn’t what she wants to hear. She wants to know that she’s valued, unique, and most of all, heard.
Here are some things I’ve learned along the way about how to make sure siblings feel included.
Don’t keep them More >
Spring Fever – Time to Get the Body Moving!
Mar 20th
I am learning from my mistakes. Hey, that’s better than continuing a pattern for an indefinite amount of time, unwilling to look at what may or may not be working, right?
My son, being an unschooler for a little over six months, is very much out of shape. Oh, I know the reason. He spends the better part of his day programming video games (not playing them – WRITING them!). Because of his obsession and brilliance, he currently isn’t interested in joining the rest of the world.
Without turning this into an unschooling article, there is a certain degree of “deschooling” a child More >
When Connections Are Made
Mar 6th
One of the most perplexing characteristics of Autism that manifests in my son is his lack of ability to put together cause-and-effect connections. Because he is so ridiculously brilliant and advanced academically, it is easy for me to overlook typical actions such as burning his hand on the stove and then touching it again without pause, or messing with the dogs, getting snapped at (or even bit), and then repeating the behavior minutes later. He is perpetually surprised by a repeat consequence and often has no idea that he caused it.
Here is a normal evening scene in my house: I’m More >
What are My Top 6 Go-To Blogs?
Jan 5th
Despite what goes on in my home from day-to-day, I truly never have to feel alone as a parent raising a child with Autism. It’s 2012, and the number of resources, experts, and all-around amazing souls available at the click of my mouse is one of the backbones of my survival. I wish this were the case when we first got a diagnosis and I was overwhelmed, frustrated, scared and confused (and very, very isolated)… but, as we know, everything happens in perfect timing.
These six blogs are my go-to places for experience, strength and hope. I am honored to have More >
A Letter to my Son – Clearing the Past
Dec 29th
To celebrate the coming of the New Year, I decided I would reflect on how far my family has come since I began blogging about my Autism journey. This post signifies both a reminder of the growth we’ve experienced as well as offering a fresh start to 2012… one free of the emotional “muck” I’ve accumulated this past year!
So here it is again, the very first post I wrote as Spirit of Autism.
I recently learned of an amazing clearing tool to help make way for new growth and opportunity. Introduced to me by the illuminating life coach Kendra Thornbury, this More >
Am I a Helicopter Mom?
Dec 22nd
Today I took my son with me to the computer repair place to drop off his laptop. Naturally, he was all over the place during the entire process – running around the store, making all the little holiday novelty toys make noise at the same time (repeatedly), slipping behind the counter, and making loud noises.
I am used to getting thrown out of most public places (grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters, churches… shall I go on?) when this type of behavior emerges, so naturally I was a bit on edge, redirecting him as much as possible. Every two seconds. The store’s More >
OW! Why Did You Just Punch Me?!?
Dec 7th
One of the most challenging of my son’s behaviors on a daily basis is his impulsivity. It has also been magnified greatly since the onset of precocious puberty.
What is impulsivity?On MedicineNet.com, it is defined as:
Inclined to act on impulse rather than thought. People who are overly impulsive, seem unable to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act. As a result, they may blurt out answers to questions or inappropriate comments, or run into the street without looking. Their impulsivity may make it hard for a child to wait for things they want or to take their turn More >
[Guest Post] The Perils of Rooster-Chasing: My Life as a Sibling
Oct 27th
When I was a child my family and I used to spend weeks with my grandparents in Arizona each year. My grandparents live in a rural area, on 5 acres off a dirt road—as far from suburban New Jersey life as you can get.
Summers there provided times of connection: walks with my mom, cooking and sewing with my grandma, reading alongside my grandpa. They were times of dolce far niente, the beauty of a simple life.
Of course, sometimes it got tiresome. There were afternoons when it was too hot to do anything but lie down…but those afternoons would precede glorious, More >
