autisable's Autisable

Watching the Movie Adam

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Ever since the movie Adam came out on DVD, I’ve debated watching it. I was curious but skeptical. I wondered how realistic it could be, or how stereotypical, how formulaic, or how Hollywoodized. I feared that it might be contrived, either an Apergerized, Rainman-esque “autistic-people-are-savants” portrayal, or a glossy “people-with-Asperger’s-are-quirky-but-they’re-just-like-everyone-else” feel-good portrayal. And, having watched it last night, I must say that there were a few implausible things I noted, but I could have been wrong about them. After all, Nigel does not have Asperger’s. Some areas of his development have differed from the characteristics of AS. But these days, there are plenty of similarities. More Here...

Is Depression an Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:00:00 GMT

I was reading this article in the New York Times Magazine about the possible evolutionary upsides of depression (the analytic-rumination hypothesis - that depression may cause an increased ability to focus on problem-solving, resulting in a net mental benefit) that would explain why depression has persisted through so many generations worldwide. As a person who has dealt with major depression for half my life, I was drawn to the idea that there might be some greater purpose to my cycles of suffering. But the bit that really caught my attention was this: More Here...

That Moment on NBC's Parenthood - Revisited

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMT

I don’t know if you had the chance to watch Parenthood on NBC. If you haven’t you should search the net for the series premier.

I had tears in my eyes as the initial diagnosis of Aspergers comes out. The absolute fear of the unknown. The absolute fear and devastation of parents finding the paved road ending, with the next step going onto a dirt road with unknown terrain and unknown destination; not even yet at the place where they come to terms that something’s “wrong” with their child. More Here...

That Moment on NBC's Parenthood - Revisited

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMT

I don’t know if you had the chance to watch Parenthood on NBC. If you haven’t you should search the net for the series premier.

Fear of Autism

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:00:00 GMT

I have written several posts about how isolating autism can be for a parent. When your child is diagnosed, your world changes. Your perspective changes. Your life is now different. You still have the same child, but you enter a new world you were not prepared for. Whatever plans you have made are now changed. We are talking major upheaval.

It is particularly hard for me when I sense that people treat Ava or regard Ava differently than they did before. But let me say, for the most part, people treat Ava the same. 90% of people treat Ava no different than before. For example, my "mommy group" has been so supportive -- and they all see Ava as a fellow playmate. None of our play dates have changed because Ava has autism. It is playtime as usual. Sure, Ava does not have the time to play like she used to, but they ALL have been so wonderful and accommodating. However, there are others, some who are very close to Ava, who have known her since the day she was born, who look at her differently since her diagnosis.

They are afraid of her. They are uncomfortable around her. It is evident. More Here...

Let me see if that's Gluten Free

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:50:00 GMT

I felt it most appropriate to write a blog post pertaining to the success that I have had putting my daughter on the gluten free diet. When I decided to begin..let's face it, I didn't want to do it. First of all, it can be expensive. Second, it would mean a total overhaul of everything that I know about baking and an end to anything that I might find to be convenient for her. Third, she is a majorly picky eater, so the thought of altering the few foods that she eats was a scary one.

When I first tried, I was met with much defiance by the child, because really in her defense, the stuff I was making was total crap. I'll be the first to admit it. I wasn't ready to embark, just desperate for a remedy to her autistic symptoms fueled by success stories, you know the routine. So I took some time off, to regroup, study, and experiment with recipes. If I was going to do this, it better be good food. Meanwhile, I was being inundated with information and recipes regarding this diet, so I figured: it's time.

More Here...

Now and again

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:00:00 GMT

Some days are more difficult than others, I understand this, and mostly am ok with this. Its what comes with having kids, having three kids, attempting to raise them alone, and having one kid with issues that I don’t claim to understand. I get it. Its not going to be easy, and I'm not going to complain, because I am happy that they are here, together, and all that. But seriously, some days? Get the best of me, and my whole “I can do this” steam runs out, and instead I stand outside listening to the screams while telling myself over and over NOT to do something stupid, just. Don’t.

More Here...

Tired of being exhausted!

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:00:00 GMT

I have decided that I am tired of being tired. It’s not even that bone aching tired that you remember from parenting an infant. I would not even call it sleep deprived, even though as parents of autistic children we all know what it means when our children’s rhythms are off and they can’t sleep. How we stay up with them, night after night and adjust our lives to their world view and inner clock. No I am not talking about that kind of tired. I am talking about a different much more ingrained tiredness that effects how we think and feel. How our brain works and how we perceive the world.

More Here...

Autism: The abuse, the past and the future...where I'm headed

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:00:00 GMT

So I have been considering the past, present, and future, and what it holds for me and my family. As I have said on this blog already I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at Bowling Green State University by a doctor doing research on autism and auditory processing. I, however, failed to get anything in writing. I have always been very lax when it comes to paperwork and keeping records. Luckily for us the school system kept records of our daughter’s diagnoses, and that got me to thinking.

Memory is a funny thing isn’t it? I have so few memories of my life before I was 17, and while I know some of them are true I have been told by people that some of my memories are faulty and that I have subconsciously replaced people or places for others, or fabricated memories. I believe that my mind has done so as a safety mechanism to protect me. For example I will say to my mom do you remember when…. and she will say yes I do, but that was you and grandma, not you and I. She will sometimes not remember them at all. I am often left wondering if she is suppressing painful memories or if I am. These are my memories right or wrong as I remember them.

More Here...

Conflicting Reports from Doctors

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Many people have expressed frustration at conflicting diagnosis. There are instances where a child can be diagnosed with PDD-NOS by one psychologist and Asperger Syndrome by the next. It happens. If your child is having a really positive day, with few stims or emotional outbursts, he/she could possibly be given a different diagnosis.

This is why I feel that if you have the means, have your child evaluated a third time. Make sure that you tell the evaluators that, "Yes, Tommy is at his absolute best today." More Here...