Month: June 2013

  • Parenting A Child With Aspergers Syndrome: Do’s And Don’ts

    Its not easy being a parent to a child on the autism spectrum! Actually… It isn’t that easy being a parent full stop!

    Below are some dos and don’t, all based around the stuff I’ve learnt while parenting my little man. Remember, I’m just another parent like you! No, I’m not doctor or child psychologist and what works for us may totally not work for you. But why not have a read anyway… If anything you won’t feel do alone. Please, feel free to add anything within the comments sections:)

    mm

    So… Here it goes…  Continue reading →

  • We are all ONE


    Two months ago I shared on "The Journey with Grace" that my artist friend Pam Jolly Haile was collecting 3,000 thumbprints to create a mandala for a project called "One." This, below, my friends, is the result of her work:

    Stunning, huh?

    Here's what the artist writes about the piece: 

    Continue reading →

  • It Is What It Is

    It is what it is...these words ran through my mind on continuous loop yesterday, like a form a verbal water boarding.

    It is what it is...we went to the safari park. All was fine along as long as we didn't see, feed, or encourage any animals within 2ft of the car.

    It is what it is.
    Continue reading →

  • Autism Lights: Jim and Lisa Price

    Jim and Lisa Price are from Southeast Michigan. Jim Price was a catcher for the Detroit Tigers baseball team from 1967-1973 and was a member of the 1968 World Championship Team. Jim Price is currently in his 14th season as the color commentator for the Detroit Tigers Radio Network. Jim and Lisa Price have a son named Jackson who has autism. Jackson inspired his parents to form Jack's Place for Autism in October, 2002 in order to be a light for families in Southeast Michigan, including the Metro Detroit area. Jim and Lisa Price are Autism Lights for being autism advocates and  bringing hope, help, and awareness to the autism community in Southeast Michigan.
    Continue reading →

  • Traveling with Autism and the TSA: A Sensible Approach

     

    We consistently hear about nightmares that people suffer at the hands of the TSA. But I want people to keep something in mind…thousands if not millions of people travel on a daily basis and these intrusive incidents are few and far between. A lot of it has to do being properly prepared. Like it says in the boyscout motto. Ok sometimes that doesn’t’ help either, but in reality being prepared could avoid many issues that people have.

    Continue reading →

  • A Video Game Lesson


    While my boys were playing video games today, there was a level where they could see a door but, try as they might, they could not reach it. I sat and watched as they tried and tried again. Sure, they got frustrated but they didn’t stop until eventually, one of them said “There has to be a way!”

    And you know what? They got it. It took a little while but they got it.
    Continue reading →

  • A reflection on Autism Awareness Month

    To this father of 3 on the Autism Spectrum, Autism Awareness Month means a great deal to me.  It means that for the month of April, the media will be once again interested in the Autistic Community.

    When I think of the Autistic Community, I included persons with Autism (of any age) and their families.
    Continue reading →

  • Coffee Gives Military Families with Special Needs a Chance to Share

    JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Five minutes after sitting down, Angela Fields had tears in her eyes.

    With 2-year-old Emma next to her, Fields told the other three women in the room how she had moved to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in October, her husband had left for a deployment and she was learning how to raise a special needs child.

    “Emma has Down’s Syndrome. She’s 2. So, were just figuring it out, really,” said Fields, of Kankakee, Ill.

    Fields was able to share at the first meeting of the Exceptional Family Member Program Coffee Group. Held beside the coffee shop in the AFC Arena on Jan. 10, the 10-11 a.m. gathering was designed to give people a chance to support one another through the challenges facing military families with members who have disabilities needing special care.

    “Because military wives are proud of their husbands and the work that they do, … they don’t want to add that burden onto their spouse, but yet the burden … [falls] onto that family member,” said Timmy Milligan, an EFMP systems navigator.

    Continue reading →

  • Autism-Meme as Political Insult

    Everyone who reads this blog knows that I am not afraid to show my political bent. Not a fan of Obama, democrats, political correctness and cultural relativism. I'm also not a conservative or libertarian either. I am a Constitutionalist. I believe in the US Constitution over and above all other forms of government, politics, religion and realities.
    Continue reading →

  • A School with Hope for Autistic Students

    Just a couple weeks ago I gave a commencement speech at a wonderful school, the Gateway Academy located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school is designed to teach children with Asperger’s and high functioning autism.  The husband and wife team who own and run the school are fantastic people.  They really know what they are doing and love the children they work with, which that is apparent.  The staff is warm, inviting,and truly dedicated just like the owners and director. 
    Continue reading →