Weblog » Archives » January 2011
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Obtaining Answers
We have had concerns about Firstborn for a while now, particularly in the last year or so. He seems so far ahead in some ways and yet so 'not at the level of an 8 year old' in others, i.e. epic tantrums. I took him as… -
Don't Ask Don't Tell
I was recently asked by a friend what I thought about the fact that she hadn't told some people about her child's autism. She called me her "autism mentor" so my first reaction was to be very afraid for her. My next r… -
Here's My Rant!
I was on Facebook this morning and started to write a morning greeting in response to a post by a local autism center," "The latest British Medical Journal paper about autism and vaccines, which provides evidence that… -
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Poopyhead
Anyone who says autistic kids have no sense of humor has clearly never met my son, Jacob. That’s the danger in making generalizations about autism. As the old saying goes: if you've met one kid with auti… -
"Be Different" - Pull Quotes
One of the stylistic things that separates Be Different from Look Me in the Eye is the use of what’s called pull quotes. Pull quotes are passages the editors deemed significant. They copied the quotes in lit… -
Appointments
When we first noticed signs of autism in Pudding, we panicked. We were three weeks away from moving to an isolated Spanish-speaking country that offered very limited support to children with developmental delays.… -
He's a good little monkey
I frequently tell Ryan I don't speak Monkey, but, actually, I do. Ryan's talent for echolalia extends beyond his species. He frequently quotes Curious George cartoons - the monkey parts, not just lines spoken by the… -
Tiger Mom
By now, you've probably heard of Amy Chua, the "Tiger Mom". She recently released a book about Eastern-style parenting and was featured in a highly-debated article in the Wall Street Journal titled "Why Chinese Moth… -
I am Now a Part of the Club
As of today, I am now part of the "My child is ......" club... Yes, not "My child is a honor roll student" or "My child was student of the month" or "my kids can kick your kids butt", but the "My child has Autism."… -
When it's Time to Leave.
Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net What I have found to be one of the hardest challenges in raising a child with Asperger's Syndrome isn't my child. It isn't about the structure and the routines, the fear… -
Learning Style is Important
When ascertaining what may be the best ways to help your child with autism to learn various educational, social, behavioral and emotional (etc.) skills; gaining accurate knowledge of what may be your child’s learn… -
Choose your words carefully!
I had such a great laugh today! My brother was dropping me off at work, and my oldest came along for the ride. Normally I would be going to work with my youngest (Husband would pick her up as soon as he got out of… -
No placement
Ava will be three on January 30. And, as of now, we have no placement for her. For those of you not familiar with special needs issues, when a child turns 3, he/she is entitled to a FREE, APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATIO… -
Bringing Back Handwriting Skills
I just watched an interesting segment on the CBS Morning Show about the importance of learning penmanship. After a long period of neglect in education probably due to the increased attention given to keyboarding, att… -
Stop Blaming Vaccines!
There has been a lot of talk lately on Autisable about autism and vaccines. Titles like "Maybe Vaccines Aren't to Blame" are a step in the right direction. But do these statements go far enough? -
How should we advise our state legislators on Autism Policy?
We are excited to participate in a pilot program sponsored by our local Arc chapter where we will be hosting a small group of parents, self-advocates and local legislators. The purpose of the meeting is to share our ex… -
Being Autistic in China
Everyone's been talking about Amy Chua and Chinese vs American parenting. When I read her description of Chinese-style mothering - drilling academics through repetition, limiting opportunities for social development -… -
Defining Autism
The National Autism Association has this to say about Autism: "Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication s… -
Mental Illness does not equal Evil!
I was surprised to see that nobody else was bothered by Sarah Palin’s use of the word “evil” to describe a mentally ill individual in her recent video. Although, I am not surprised… that would… -
I am an Alien
I am an alien in this noisy, smelly, often hostile world. I don’t fit in, don’t belong. People don’t know what to think of me, how to handle me, so they get frustrated and just stop liking me. I am not… -
Seeking Educational Resources
What are some good educational resources? Before anyone responds, let me clarify: I'm not asking about resources to educate parents about asperger's, but resources to help educate a child with asperger's. Things app… -
My little Rock Star
When the girls are quiet, they are up to mischief or they are asleep. Im sure a lot of you think the same. LOL. In this one case, they were up to neither. I was downstairs, washing dishes in the kitchen and the househo… -
Death of Jerry the Fish
Pudding’s short life has so far been pretty charmed, in that she hasn’t known much loss. When we’ve gone to museums and looked at animals, I’ve tried to explain that they are not alive, as… -
Meet Colin Brennan : The next big heartthrob to come out of Canada
Excerpt from his web page: Colin is 8 years old and is Autistic, (high functioning) He was singing before he could talk. His parents have VHS movies of him singing full songs by the Care Bears when he was only 4… -
Autism Trends
I was checking out all the blogs on Xanga and the different categories (Mancouch, Lovelyish, Datingish ect.) All of it kind of ties together. Then you have "Autisable". Umm...Yeah how does this fit? -
Rage at the education system
Sometimes, you realize that there really is no easy way for a child with autism. There will always be someone, or some organization that will put him down. I just came from the Principal's office where my son, Dale (… -
Sensory Overload
I love these commercials. Probably not for the same reasons other people love them. These commercials give me a glimpse into how Logan feels sometimes when he goes into sensory overload. The grocery one ab… -
Should There Be Separate Schools For Autistic Children?
Brett Singer, of Parent Dish, asks readers if separate schools for autistic children is “just a way for society to further marginalize children with autism” or if “autistic children should go to sepa… -
Recipe: GFCF Double Chocolate Brownies
Thought I would get a headstart on chocolate recipes seeing as how the stores have gone Valentine's crazy already. I was inspired to do this based on a wonderfully candid post on Brownies by my friend at Living with… -
Birth Order and Age of Parents linked to Autism
A lot has been made of the psychology of birth order. First children are natural leaders who seek achievement and praise (possibly as a way to cling to the affection their parents divided when other kids showed up). S… -
How can I forget?
How can I forget he is autistic? I know he seems so "normal" sometimes. People always say... "he doesn't look like anything is wrong" or even better "but...he's so beautiful?" as though being funny looking is somehow a… -
A Comforting Ritual
I recently discovered that Pudding has developed a new ritual of talking me through her day as I put her to bed. She instructs me to get in bed for a cuddle, and then she talks. And talks. Sometimes she sing… -
Throwing Temper Tantrums
I have noticed an increase in temper tantrums with my son lately. He’s also very stubborn, so it’s becoming difficult to redirect him when he starts throwing a temper tantrum. It’s not just at home,… -
Bakery On Main - GFCF Source for Granola!
There is this adorable little place in Connecticut that has dedicated itself to providing healthy granola to the gluten free community: Bakery On Main. They have grown into a 26,000 sqft facility that promises gluten… -
A Birthday Bash
James celebrated his birthday today. For the first time ever, he became excited in advance (as in a month before the event) and kept asking us "Is James' birthday?" We counted down and talked a little about birthdays a… -
That Christmas Eve
Christmas eve was not the easiest here. My wonder hubby had surgery on the Monday before Christmas and the eve was at my mothers. Taking Sammy anywhere is always difficult, add presents and food into the mix and its pa… -
Autisable Nominated for the Shorty Awards
We're very excited to announce that Autisable has been nominated for the Shorty Awards. The Shorty Awards honor the best people and organizations on Twitter and social media. We'd like to thank Michelle Lopez @mlope… -
Jared Loughner and Schizophrenia
Please understand: I do not, of course, condone the Saturday shooting spree--the actions of Jared Loughner in Arizona that killed six, including a federal judge and a nine-year-old and wounded 13 others, including belo… -
Maybe it's not vaccines
Over the last week, the vaccine-autism debate has raged in a way I haven’t seen since the days when HIV was going to be dropped as the true cause of AIDS. And, just like those times, we are seeing both sides beco… -
New Wakefield ruling makes local news
WCCO’s take on Brian Deer’s suggestion of doctored information in Andrew Wakefield’s study that concluded vaccines were a cause of autism illustrates the magnitude of the controversy. Whenever you… -
Is crying a form of communication?
Is crying a form of communication? I believe it is. The reason I am asking the question is that an interesting situation arose over the holidays. Let me explain. HRH was cross about something and having a good old… -
My Son and Bowling
It’s a great thing when my son learns something in therapy that carries through to our life. We went bowling Saturday and decided to teach my son to bowl without the rack. My daughter was taught to bowl by throwi… -
Through the Eyes of an Aspie
I found this video over on Matthew's Puzzle and about cried. This is much who Logan is right now and the stopping the stim part making them feel like a soda shook up really resonated with me. Am I making him stop becaus… -
The Parable of the Chest of Drawers
Every year around the start of the cold damp weather, I have a drawer that keeps sticking. It's in a tall boy I keep in the attic, very close to the skylight so I guess on one of the many times I forget to close the sk… -
Remembering Dates
Bearhug sat with me in my class at church, as he didn't want to go to his own class. The teacher wrote two dates on the chalkboard. As soon as he saw the dates on the board, Bearhug perked up. He leaned over to me a… -
Maybe it's Not the Cause
Over this past week, a journalistic investigation has for many, dropped the final bomb in a long and bitter war. It was a war against the drug companies. Vaccines were thought by many to be the cause of autism. The o… -
Picking up the Phone
Here's something I've noticed. When things get tough, it become exponentially harder to ask for help. I don't know if it's depression, the years growing up in a family that says yes to "can you ...." and no to "do you… -
Having Strength
Being the father of a child on the spectrum I find myself struggling at times. Even after all these years I feel responsible for why he is the way he is, and still trying to accommodate his needs. Here's my son, he ac… -
Bidding Adieu to pull ups.
We are close! So close I can well, not taste it, but get excited about it. Oh sure, we've flirted with overnight dryness, but over this past Winter Break, James has decided it's time. Time for no more pull ups. Time… -
Controversial study still in the news
Autism’s biggest firestorm refuses to cede its flames, as The Associated Press reports an analysis of the now-discredited study linking vaccines to autism published by Andrew Wakefield was based on doctored i… -
Positivity
People often say to me “You’re so positive! I don’t know how you do it!”. And it’s true. I’m a glass half full person. Always have been, more or less. Well, since I’ve bee… -
iPad encourages social behavior?
One of my reservations about the iPad was that Pudding would become antisocial. Our goal is to keep her engaged and interacting as much as possible, so I feared that she might hole herself up in her room playing g… -
Starting Our Second Child on NAET
With such stunning success for daughter “Shannon” on NAET, of course we need to start “Mike” on it too. He’s come around to the idea, and his first appointment is Friday. He is 18, a seni… -
Who Should Speak for the Autism Community?
In a recent article on About.Com, Lisa Jo Rudy asks who, if anyone, should speak for the autism community. That raises the question . . . speak to whom? And for what goal? Throughout history, when we read of &ldqu… -
GFCF (and egg free!) French Toast Sticks Recipe
Many moons ago I blogged about a super easy french toast and since I have made this wonderful GFCF Cranberry Bread http://http//birdandherramblings.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-new-years-and-gfcf-cranberry.html I though… -
Is Coordination Really a Problem?
I've read in a number of places that people with Asperger's often exhibit physical awkwardness/clumsiness. Intuitively, that never really made sense to me...but I figured "whatever." Yet, I was watching my son the oth… -
Welcome 2011 and Building on 2010's successes.
Yo, Mick here - the grinning canine! Sorry mates, I’ve been on a long walk about, one that really never had me leaving but a journey just the same. -
What did Tron mean to me?
Tron. I was eleven in 1982 and I saw Tron. Movies were quite thrilling for me, always a very exciting family event. I grew up in a town with an amazing old theater known as, 'The Tivoli'. A remnant from 1928, it has… -
Battle Scars, Perfection and Autism
My sister wrote something today in her blog that struck me: -
The "Harpo Marx & Ava Connection"
New Year's Eve brings many traditions. Champagne at midnight. The ball dropping in Times Square. Kissing a loved one when the clock strikes twelve. And one of my favorites, a Marx Brothers marathon on TV. I reme… -
NAET Helps Shannon Converse
I watched “Shannon,” my Aspie daughter, at a New Year’s Eve party talking to a peer. She responded with the appropriate emotion to what the other girl was saying, and nodded and smiled at all the right… -
Differences in Play Skills
A friend from my old playgroup came to visit the other day with her five-year-old son. Ryan and Lucas were never best buddies - Ryan once took Lucas out with a football tackle in defense of a disputed toy. As a neur… -
The Literal
As many of you may well know, children with autism are completely literal and straight to the point. This behavior has value for them, as there is nothing left undefined or misinterpreted. They express their thoughts in… -
Did You Make it Through the Holiday Season With An Autistic Child
The end of the year is chalked full of an assortment of holidays, which means plenty of opportunities to reunite with family, loads of festive foods, and more time the kids spend away from school. Because of the number… -
You can lead a Mother to school pictures, but you can't make her buy them........
I am a woman perplexed. I also have four kids...three of whom have an asd..or autism..or..well it seems no matter what I say someone gets offended..so lets just say I've got four amazing kids-my house is always a mess.… -
The Happiness Project
One of the things I like to do for myself is read wonderful blogs written by wonderful women. You can of course find some of them on my side bar. One of those that I enjoy immensely is Aspie Teacher, written by Sandy… -
Steps to Mainstreaming
I have received many requests to talk a little bit about just what we did for collegeman that enabled him to move from a self-contained classroom into the mainstream. Honestly, I do not think it was one thing above a… -
Acceptance
Each and everyone have a different experience of how they live with someone who is autistic. My personal experience with my son has been humbling. But maybe that's just me. I remember when my son was born, my heart expl… -
Book Review: The Power of Intention
The Power of Intention – Gift Edition Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer I was first introduced to Dr. Wayne Dyer many years ago through his public television broadcast of The Power o… -
Happy New Year's: GFCF Cranberry Cinnamon Bread
We've made it through another year, triumphs, losses, all great lessons learned. I'm grateful for them all, for my family, for the love that we share and the great team that we are. I thank God for all these blessings… -
Different - Not Less.
Adventures in Xtreme Parenthood hosted the 'Different but not less' bloghop, to share tips on how we all managed over the Christmas period. Christmas went very well for us, much better than I had expected. This is ou… -
About the Canucks Autism Network (CAN)
It was recently our pleasure to speak with Jodi Simkin, Executive Director of the Canucks Autism Network (CAN). Canucks Autism Network’s mission is to provide year round, innovative, high quality sports, recreati…
autisable
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- Name: autisable
- Member Since: 3/26/2009
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Recent Weblogs
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To Medicate, or Not to Medicate
This is the question I have been ... -
Releasing the Grip
I am a problem solver. Most people who kn... -
Does Floortime Therapy Work? We're still waiting for the evidence.
I’ve been reading about Floortime/DIR Aut...
