Put our children first!

Ranting Blog!

My son not only had Autism he has ADHD and ODD! With all these diagnoses he's very over loaded! It's hard for us to go out as a family. My husband and I split the kids in order to go out. He takes one and I take one. We switch like this often. Or we leave one with a sitter to go out US together with one. Its rare that we four go out together!
I wish ppl were more understanding when it comes to special needs! Do to this unawareness is the reason why we don't all go out together because ppl just don't UNDERSTAND!

Dear Autism

Dear Autism,

I never suspected that you and I would have a relationship. I never thought I would know you so well. No matter how well I know you, you always surprise me. Sometimes it's a bad surprise, a good punch in the gut. And other times, the surprise is nothing short of a miracle.

Every time I think I have you figured out, when I think I have a good strategy in place, just when I think I know what to expect, you change your game without any notice. I can never be comfortable in your presence.

You don't play fair. You are known for throwing curve balls. There are no rules playing with you. I can never be totally comfortable because I know you are there. I never really know what's up or what to expect. I try to be as ready as I can. I always have to have my game face on.

I appreciate the good qualities that you have brought. I do not appreciate the bad ones and I get angry at you for making things so difficult for my family. There are many times when things that should be easy and simple are horrible and difficult because of you. You have made the smallest things at times impossible. On the other hand, you have made me appreciate the small things and celebrate the tiny successes because I now know that they can be the most joyous.

As you know, over the past two years our relationship changes by the minute. Sometimes I'm mad at you, sometimes I absolutely despise you, sometimes I accept your uninvited presence, and sometimes I actually even like you.

I understand that my feelings on this will continue to change and cycle just as everything here does. I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions with you. You have brought me to tears in an instant, broken my heart, made me the happiest and the saddest person on the planet, all at the same time.

There will always be good days and bad days. I will never be able to trust you since you are so unpredictable. Our relationship will probably always change day to day. However, I am sure we will never be besties.

From,
Mommy

(originally published 12/10/12 on my former blog,
SuperMom wears Autism Goggles/Team Bradley)

Books parents should read...

You maybe an AUTISM parent if you`ve done a few...

Baking puzzle molds for Autism

So excited just received puzzle cake molds. I already had a big puzzle pan now I can play around with little cakes :)

My wreath for autism number 2....

My Wreath for autism... - http://pinterest.com/pin/292241463290020779/

My next awareness project#2

Embroidery Ring
Embroidery cloth
Puzzle pieces
Acrylic paint
Hot glue gun

I was inspired by a pin on pinterest....

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

My new project...

Trying ways to spread awareness in a cute way :) let me know what you all think.. Any ideas r welcomed also...

Love this organization: Roses for Autism

Roses for Autism

Roses for Autism is a non-profit organization located at 929 Boston Post Road in Guilford, CT, providing inclusive career training & employment opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum.

Mission:
To Grow Independence in the Business World

Company Overview:
Roses for Autism is the first business endeavor for Growing Possibilities. Growing Possibilities is a division on Ability Beyond Disability, a 501c non-profit, that is dedicated to growing independence in the business world for individuals with autism and other disabilities.

Our full fragrant blooms are grown right on location at Pinchbeck's Rose Farm in Guilford, CT and can be conveniently delivered right to you anywhere in the nation.

5 Reasons Why Autism Moms Rock!

1. You Are Fierce
In life, there is just no fiercer woman than the one who emerges to protect her child. Whether it is healthcare or education, autism moms are ultra aware of what is happening to their child, good or bad. They are passionate about helping their children and supporting each other. These "warrior moms", as some have been called, fight for services, the right for their child to receive an appropriate education and the freedom to make healthcare decisions for their families. They seek facts, the truth and regularly challenge the status quo .

Sit around the table with autism mothers, and you will hear them sharing war stories. We may go into battle alone but we know there is another mom somewhere has been there and can help support us. Through their voices and conversations, you will hear the relentless devotion to their children and families. These fierce mommas will not be taken lightly when it comes to the well being of their children nor should they.

So whether I agree or disagree about a particular subject with another autism mom, I give her my respect. She fights her own battles. She lives her life. She protects her children and her family. Call it fierce. Call it whatever you want. But never underestimate an autism mother. Autism never leaves our families, and we never leave our children unprotected.

2. You Have Strength Within
While autism moms often focus on how autism has changed our lives, we readily acknowledge and own the strength this path has given us. That being said, I am not sure I agree the saying, "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger". Yes, sometimes autism makes mothers stronger people. But it also can break a mother down to her very core. Autism has a way of toughening up even the softest of souls. We live life filled with stress, often in a state of "flight or fight". But regardless of the emotions at hand, autism moms learn to get it together and get strong, because that is how our children need us to be.

Autism moms know there may be many battles ahead...with schools, doctors, insurance companies, the government, intolerance, etc. We never know who may, directly or indirectly, attack our children or try to cause them harm.   Like a battle-worn soldier, we throw up our emotional walls to protect us from the hurt. We wear our armor never knowing what enemy could strike in a day. And even when a small battle is won, such as having a successful IEP meeting, we know the war is not over. So we enjoy our time with our families and friends, but the guards we have built around us never truly recede. For we know that at any time, the shoe could drop and we are back into battle once again. That is why autism moms are often some of the strongest women I know.

3. You Are Smart Cookies
Once you get a diagnosis, you soon find out you need to be a CEO, doctor, lawyer, and teacher all rolled into one. While I may be exaggerating a bit, there is a ring of truth to my statement. Autism moms often do much of the coordination of the child team and are making important decisions almost every day.

Many mothers are forced to learn not just what autism means to their child but also spend hours reading the latest autism research. If we are expected to agree with physician recommendations, we must be educated in those matters that pertain to our children. Sit in on a support group and you will hear discussions about bio-medical treatments and interventions, medications, sleep issues, fine motor issues, sensory, social skill curriculums, etc.  

Once your child enters the school system, autism mothers become acutely aware that they must start learning the laws that govern the school systems. If parents want ensure that their children get a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), learning the basics of special education law and how it affects their children is a must. Some of these "mom-advocates" I have met can go head to head with the best of special ed administrators and get education that is truly appropriate for their child. And when autism moms don't know what to do, they know another mom who can help them find an advocate or lawyer.

Educated. Persistent. Smart. Autism moms do not have the luxury to be anything less. And to this day, I continue to be amazed by these mothers who do it all in the name of helping children with autism.

4. You Never Take Anything for Granted
The ability to communicate, ride a bike, swing on a swing, swim, eat whatever you want or have a friendship. These are all milestones and activities that many parents take for granted. Yet parents of children with autism are not afforded this privilege. Maybe our child will ride a bike by themselves. Or maybe not. With intervention, maybe our child will learn to create and maintain a friendship. Or maybe our child will have no friends and we will struggle to help our kids with social skills and friendships. Whatever the milestone is, little or small, autism moms don't take the little things for granted.

During our children's lives, milestones achievement becomes a miracle to be celebrated not just a tally on a doctor's list. Autism moms take it one day at a time and revel in accomplishments that for others come easily. I remember telling my own mother, "I wish he could say "Mommy"". So basic the need to communicate but sometimes so remote you can only see a flicker of it. And now, that my son can say "Mom", several times a day, I know how blessed my son is to be able to do something that everyday people take for granted.

Appreciation. Gratitude. Thankful. Really none of these words can express the feelings of joy we feel when our kids make their goals. And perhaps that is why these moms don't need to be told to slow down and appreciate things. They live autism and should they ever forget not to take things for granted, they get daily lessons from their children.

5. You Know No Boundary When It Comes to Love
Autism moms love their children beyond words. You will often hear moms say that even though they do not like the autism, they love their children. And it is true. No matter the behaviors or difficulties, these women openly express their deep love of being a mother and how much they love their child with autism.

Autism moms often go to great lengths to sacrifice...emotionally, financially and otherwise, to help their children make progress. We know there is not much room to make mistakes. Our kids are already starting off at disadvantage so we often feel the overwhelming need to get it right the first time.

The autism moms I know accept their children for who they are yet never stop helping their child achieve their goals. Love truly is patient and kind and there is no boundary or conditions.

Love is...raising a child with autism.

5-reasons-why-autism-moms-rock

Misconceptions of Autism

April is Autism Awareness month, as most of you have probably already heard by now.  As a parent of a child on the spectrum, I sometimes forget that not everyone is “aware” of what autism looks like.Life before autism feels like a lifetime away for me. So, it’s so hard for me to recall what my knowledge or understanding of autism was before my son was diagnosed.

Michael and his dad Michael Sr

The image you may have of autism – likely shaped by Hollywood or the media – may look nothing like your child’s classmate, your neighbor’s son, or your friend’s daughter who attends a special school for children with autism.  Children on the spectrum are as diverse in their gifts as in their needs.

The common thread among them all is difficulty – to some degree – with social communication. It can be subtle in its symptoms – as simple as not knowing how to talk to peers. But it can be as severe as being non-verbal. Many, but not all, children on the spectrum also have motor skill difficulties, sensory processing issues, and speech and language difficulties.

I’d like to share with you what I see as five of the most common misconceptions of autism:

1-    People with autism are math wizards or gifted artistically. 

2- Autism is an emotional/behavioral problem. 

3- Children with autism are incapable of building personal relationships. 

4- People with autism have lower IQs. 

5- Autism can be cured. 

10 Things My Autistic Kids Wished You Knew

1. I’m sorry I have fits but I’m not a spoiled brat. I’m just so much younger on the inside than I am on the outside.

2. I’m easily overwhelmed because I see and hear everything. I hear the lights hum and clock tick. Everything is so loud it makes my head hurt all the time and my eyes hurt from all the bright lights.

3. I’m not stupid, I’m actually very smart. I just don’t learn the way you want me to. Please learn about Autism so you know how to help me better understand what you are trying to teach.

4. Please don’t be mad at mommy and daddy because we don’t come over for holidays or birthdays. They really want to go but I don’t do well at another person’s house. It’s too overwhelming for me and they know that. They don’t go because they love me, NOT because they don’t like you.

5. Please have patience with me. I try really hard to make good decisions but I can be very impulsive at times.

6. Yes, I have Autism but that doesn’t mean I’m less of a person because of it. If anything, I’m actually more of a person in spite of it.

7. My house might be messy sometimes. It’s because my mommy and daddy spend all their time trying to find new ways to help me or teach my brother to talk..

8. Just because I can’t talk doesn’t mean I don’t understand what you are saying. My feelings can be hurt just like yours.

9. I wish my mommy and daddy knew how much I love them. I have a really hard time with emotions and I don’t always like to be touched. But I love them more than anything in the world, even more then my Lego’s.

10. I know I can be frustrating but don’t tell me I won’t amount to anything because I have Autism. If you love and support me I WILL do great things in my life in spite of my challenges. ♥

~By Lost and Tired

Build-A-Bear Workshop!!

Build-A-Bear Workshop!! Is launching a new bear supporting Autism Speaks for Autism Awareness Month, Starting tomorrow, March 27th, you can make one of these bears for yourself in stores!! 

Here is a little more info:

• The Autism Speaks Bear ($18) arrives on March 27 and $1 from the sale of this bear will be donated to Autism Speaks.
• An Autism Speaks bear-sized Tiny Tees shirt ($7) will also be available, with 50 cents from every tee sold going directly to the charity.
• Throughout April, Guests can also donate $1 (or more) to Autism Speaks when they check out at Built-A-Bear Workshop stores in the United States or online at buildabear.com.

Hoboken special needs parents group

Hoboken Special Needs Parent Group - Home

http://www.hobokensnpg.org/Resources.html

Autism Awareness Month

So……if I've calculated correctly… next month is April. (where is this year going? Flying by!)  While most people think of spring and flowers and Easter, April represents something else to me too: Autism awareness month.  Yep a whole month of it.  

PINS YOU MIGHT LIKE: 

http://pinterest.com/mijul112/autism-adhd-and-breast-cancer/

http://pinterest.com/Pinsbook/autism/