Our youngest John finally made it! He graduated high school with a bang. With over $400k in therapy since he was two years old, he was able to came out as a nonverbal child to a grade 12 graduate with a full diploma! Yes, we did it! WE DID IT! I feel like shouting these … Continue reading Is There Really A Cure For Autism and Do We Want To Have It?
Summer is finally here. With no school to distract the kids, many moms out there must have their hands full. Without a doubt, parenting is an extremely challenging experience. It’s a round-the-clock job with little or no time for vacation or relaxation. Add autism to the equation and you are certainly in for the long … Continue reading Autism Burnout: Do You Have It?
One of the great rites of passage in parenting is when your child with autism gets to have that one special night to wear a tux and spend a ton of a good time — Senior Prom! John in his tux and shiny formal shoes looked so debonair—and his bestfriend Greer Allen coming over from … Continue reading Of Prom, Adulthood and A Whole Lot More Ahead of Autism
It is my daily ritual to sift through various autism research, news and blogs articles to be posted on my social media accounts and, I couldn’t help but marvel at the degree of enthusiasm the medical community has placed in unraveling the cause, origins and what-have-you of Autism. Some even make “color” classifications due to … Continue reading The Discombobulating World of Autism Research
Each year, we are given statistics on how many hundreds of millions have been spent on autism research. I am happy about that. Yes, so happy for families who up to this time are still groping in the dark on what ifs and what could have been. Though some of the published are downright … Continue reading Adult, Autism and Living On His Own
Summer is just around the corner and, along with the exhilarating view of sun and blooms, comes this certain longing to sit back and enjoy watching the setting sun as you languidly enjoy a pitcher full of lemonade. If the thought of traveling to a tropical destination is out of the question, the idea of creating … Continue reading Staycation Ideas for A Busy Autism Mommy
It is without any hint of doubt that finding employment nowadays can be an overwhelming task and, so much more so, when you have autism. Social acceptance has long been an issue with autism. Embarking on a career while carrying such stigma will definitely put your child’s chances of finding what suits him best — … Continue reading Of Autism and Employment – Preparing Your Child For Life
Someone asked me if vaccines can cause autism and I said yes. But that’s just my personal observation as a mother to a child with autism. After John received his MMR shots, the once vivacious boy almost immediately became prone to tantrums. We could not call it a meltdown then, thinking that it could just … Continue reading Vaccine Caused My Son’s Autism But That’s Just Me
To many people, winter is making Christmas wish list, of Santa Claus and his reindeers, of frolicking in the snow with friends and family or of drinking a mug of sensational chocolate. To some autism parents and children, however, this is a dreadful time of the year when the days are growing shorter and the … Continue reading What is Winter to Autism?
I have noticed recently that my inbox is flooded with reports, studies, research and what-have-you concerning the growing rate of autism. Most of these studies are out to debunk the idea that this pervasive developmental disorder is not an “epidemic”. It just so happens that diagnoses nowadays are more reliable and efficient to the point … Continue reading Autism Needs To Be Studied, Heard, Accepted – Epidemic or Not!
A couple of months after we’ve finally settled down in our new home, an exciting development came our Johnny’s way. Apart from adjusting easily to his new school and meeting new friends, he has developed (though, he loved cooking with me when he was young ) a penchant on culinary cooking. So, we enrolled him … Continue reading Smells Like Christmas
Cover Photo Credits: http://cognoscenti.wbur.org/2013/03/08/autism-virginia-breen-susan-senator Life has never been the same from the day my son John had his autism diagnosis. This pervasive developmental disorder has changed a lot in our lives and even more so when he was in school. It is common for most, if not all, children who have autism to struggle in … Continue reading Dear Teachers, I Wish You Knew This About Kids With Autism
Sailing on a cruise ship is one of the best antidotes to stress. Luxurious and relaxing, it is an experience that many families would love to enjoy. But for families with autism in their midst, this can be challenging. To others, this could also mean an impossible dream. Unlike others whose main concern is to … Continue reading Cruising the Caribbean with Autism in Tow
Going on a diet takes a lot of will power and determination. This is even more so when a child has autism. Picky-eating, digestive problems and allergies are just three of the most common problems faced by parents of kids with autism. Repetition is a common element in autism and kids who have it can … Continue reading Autism: 5 Tips to Your Child’s Healthy Diet
I believe there must be some truth to the adage “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”I believe many mothers and fathers out there are on the same page as I am when facing autism, a lifelong struggle. Hearing it for the first time felt like I am drowning in a bottomless pit. Was I … Continue reading When Autism Becomes You
Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. A smile. A world of optimism and hope. A ‘you can do it’ when things are tough. ~~ Helen Keller There seems to be a lot going on in various autism communities and families around the globe. Some say it is due … Continue reading AUptimism In The Midst of Adversity
Moving On, Letting Go, Embracing Change Goodbyes are bittersweet. For many nights now, I have tried to absorb as much of Fredericton to my system before we move out. It is not easy leaving a quarter of a century’s worth of memories. I will be missing the smell of winter amid the freezing cold, the … Continue reading Goodbyes Are Not Forever
A child who has autism can be quite a handful to parents, teachers, and to caregivers. One’s patience can be tested over and over again especially when one lacks knowledge about the symptoms. A person living with a child on the spectrum requires hands-on knowledge and understanding about Autism’s complexities and intricacies to better handle … Continue reading Understanding Autism Behavior
Raising children is an extremely rewarding experience. That’s not to say however that every minute of every day is spent with smiles and adoration for our offspring. Generally speaking the majority of parents I imagine though, would look favourably at the experience of going the family-way. The rosy picture of having a family is however … Continue reading Parental stress and autism: what’s effective at reducing it?
Autism has become quite a news sensation nowadays, with significantly higher statistics supporting its rise today than in recent years. A pervasive developmental disorder, Autism highly affects the brain and developmental skills of a child’s first few years of life. From difficulties in verbal to social, emotional, physical and intellectual functions, the impact of autism … Continue reading Autism Healthy Eating: Feeding Your Child Right
