Don't Quit (an encouraging poem)

Don't Quit
by: Edgar A. Guest

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Trip to Sam's

I found out tonight Sam's Club (bulk shopping warehouse type store) can quickly become a montrosity of sensory overload for a wound up Autistic toddler...  Flourescent lights everywhere, chaos and crowds, noise everywhere you turn, isles packed with tons of giant items all over the place, colorful options for further than the eye could see in every direction...

Yeah.  I should have seen this one coming from a mile off. lol

What I do when I blow it

A question that was posted on a support site I follow talked about how hard it can be to have patience with an Autistic child who just can't seem to get it or is intent on trying you and pushing your buttons on a given day or in a given situation.  The question was what shoud one do

A wonderful piece shared from a friend blogger :)

This piece is not mine, but I feel it is a wonderful piece and definitely a must read in my opinion. :)  It comes from a friend of mine I that I

Calling all those that good with computers :)

Anyone know how to take this version of my awareness card and get it into a program that would allow me to print it as an actual card with both the front and back?  It's currently sitting in a paint program where

Meltdowns in public... Oh dear...

My David is quickly getting stronger than me and his brother is now showing signs of Autism too (and Joshua's meltdowns are worse and LONGER than David's...)  All I have ever been able to do is get them out

EDITED: Beautiful picture :) And one I can personally relate too as well :)

I was told about a picture that made me remember my son's precious encounter with Santa all over again and have gotten permission to share that picture here. :)  I love this and I think all of you will too. :)  Thanks to Richard for both this picture and for allowing me to share it. :)

the link to Richard's page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/ButtonsAndMore

the link to the original posting of his pic: https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150431606845718&set=a.113942495717.109157.633195717&type=1&theater&notif_t=like

Sorry it took me so long to get those in here.  I haven't been able to get on-line.

A very precious Santa :)

A friend of mine told me about a Santa in town who specializes in being there for special needs kids and kids with disabilities so I wrote him ahead of time and told him about my kids and asked if we could come see him and he welcomed us with open arms. :)  He was so

It's official

David's diagnosis is officially finalized now.  He barely missed the severe diagnosis by 1 and 1/2 points if I remember correctly.  The specialist said that his ability to understand us and how I've used that

"Welcome To Holland". More than just a poem...

A few days ago a dear friend of mine told me about a poem called "Welcome To Holland" written by Emily Perl Kingsly.  She said it was a great piece for parents of special needs children.  It was so much more

Why Mom's Rock! :)

WHY MOMS OF SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS ROCK!!!

1. Because we never thought that "doing it all" would mean doing this much. But we do it all, and then some.

2. Because we've discovered patience we never knew we had.

3. Because we are willing to do something 10 times, 1,000 times if that's

Restrain or not restrain?

I recently came across a discussion thread and conversation about restraining methods when dealing with an Autistic child in the middle of a violent meltdown or outbreak.  A lot of the people commenting were trying to make restraint out to be something cruel and abusive, even when used

Autism Night Before Christmas (by Cindy Waeltermann)

Found the following poem through a great new (to me at least) page I follow (http://autism-daddy.blogspot.com/).  He has a lot of great posts so go check him out after you check out this cool poem.  Thanks :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Autism Night Before Christmas
by Cindy Waeltermann

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

Ending on a good note :)

Today has been a hard one in more than one way but I just had to share how it is ending.  Here I sit after having just got home (having a driver's license again rocks!) with the lights off and the tree and decorative lights

Non-verbal huh? lol

For being labeled "non-verbal", David has definitely masterd the word "cookie".  In fact he's in the kitchen right now with his brother admiring his newly hoarded stash of them. lol :)

Heaven's Very Special Child

HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD
by Edna Massionilla

A meeting was held, quite far from Earth!
It's time again, for another birth.
Said the Angels, to the Lord above,
This special child will need much love.

Blatant discrimination. I am so tired of it! (Warning, rant ahead)

Today I got my mom to help drive me to the license bureau to get my certificate of completion turned in for an actual driver's license.  I was on my own with my two boys there while waiting because my mom had to leave to make it to an appointment she had.  Well at first things were

A quote that hits home...

"You know best. You might not be an expert on autism but you’re an expert on your child. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t." --unknown

This hits home even harder now after my last meeting with David's new specialist yeterday.

When I asked her about what she was thinking on the issues David struggles with and what they mean she answered, "Your gut instincts were right. Everything you were concerned, worried, and wondering about are true... Trust your gut. It has been very honest with you."

Update From Doctor

David has hope. :)  He has been stuck in the world of a 2 year old (in some areas even younger than that) even though he is now 4, but she believes she can help us get the help we need to make that reality change for him. :)  I needed to hear that.  Especially after how hard things have been lately with him starting to regress again.

Another looooonnngggg night... :|

Sometimes I wonder if David has now decided sleep is for wimps...