April is Autism Awareness Month and that’s when all your media outlets pay attention to the world of autism for 30 days.

But recently I’ve been seeing more articles and stories regarding autism so that’s positive.
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I am writing this because I’ve had quite a few people ask me if I want my son to be an advocate like me or what I would hope he’d say. I thought this would be a good time to address those questions.

If you’ve read anything from me in the past, you likely expect the answer from me to be something along the lines of “a positive role model that is respectful and understanding of everyone.”

And yes, should he truly wish to speak up and raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of autism, that is pretty much the exact type of advocacy that I would love to see from him.

I understand that some advocates take the “fight for our rights” approach and that is very much needed as well. I won’t lie. Yes, some get caught up in the battle and it becomes hateful and negative… but this isn’t about that right now.

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Emmett and I are waiting for Lizze to finish up day 2 of her headache infusion. He’s just hanging physically in his carseat, watching Netflix on a tablet.  He has said so much as a word since his Leap Frog movie started, aside from him giggling. I’d say that’s a win for sure. 

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The financial distress of 2010 caused a lot of issues for us. We lost jobs, had to sell our big house in the Big Woods, with the outstanding half acre fenced yard. No sooner had we received an offer, than my mother in law passed away, leaving us her home in a suburb of Pittsburgh. A tiny brick home on a postage stamp lawn. 
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My husband and I were having a nice, quiet lunch together without the children the other day. It is a treat to eat without interruptions, screaming, winning, or bribing. Our conversations always turn to our children, and inevitable to Autism and today was no different. We were talking about Matthew’s latest school troubles when my husband said “I wish I could see the world through his eyes”. How strange, I thought to myself… I was thinking about the same thing yesterday, and haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
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Last night, the kids all waited with bated breath, watching the news for school closings. Each time they rolled around and their schools weren't listed increased the anticipation, the danger of possibly not being on the list. That occupied them for a time, and the adults as well. My brother was on the edge of his seat, Alex's Mommy calling like crazy, everyone trying to update me because they know the news gives me nightmares.  So, of course, when I got the phone calls notifying me that schools were closed, you can bet your bottom I didn't tell a single one of the little devils

This morning, I thought I would sleep in and then we'd do something. Little did I know that 7:30 was as much of "sleeping in" that would be allowed and the "something" would be the apocalypse.

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I unzip Jack's coat and hang it - along with his backpack full of diapering supplies - on the hook in the hall.  I'm painfully aware that he's the only one in here still in diapers, but I let it roll off my back.   Continue reading →

Yesterday Liam had another eval to reinstate his TSS hours (since there was a lapse between providers, the insurance company took them away.) So anyway, he was very excited about this meeting, as he loves to see Dr. Dan. He dressed extra nice for him, and packed his pockets with snacks, even some to share with Dr. Dan.

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“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children” – Mohandes Ghandi

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