Parenting a child with autism is not easy. We struggle daily to level the playing field for our children. Honestly, we have no choice but to stay in fight mode and this can be overwhelming. The moment you let your guard down, something could slip through the cracks. So I worry. I worry because I know that there are callous people in this world. They do not give two hoots … [Read more...]
Celebrating Mother’s Day as an Autism Mom
As a mother of an only child who is on the autism spectrum, I have always had a pity party for myself on Mother’s Day. Instead of appreciating what was right in front of me, I focused on the day that my son Angel would make a big fuss over me on this special occasion. I also focused on the day I would get Mother’s Day drawings and art work from him. I was a first-time mom, … [Read more...]
Autism: Moving Beyond Awareness to Acceptance
I have mixed feelings about autism awareness month. I am glad for the attention that autism gets during April but by the time May comes there is a cloud of neglect that is cast over the autism community. What society needs to realize is that for families of individuals with autism, we are aware of it every single day. We are aware of the challenges that come with raising a … [Read more...]
7 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Autism
You’ve probably heard this statistic by now: 1 in 68 children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released this statistic from their most recent report just in time for April, which is Autism Awareness Month. The report, Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years made headlines across the country. The report … [Read more...]
How I’m Raising the Bar for My Autistic Son
I have a confession to make. I have been holding my son back. Angel will be seven this year and there is so much that he can do. He can do more than I thought, more than I imagined. Of course, I did not realize this before because I never gave him a chance. I told myself he is autistic. He needs me. I need to do these things for him. Then, I would get a note from school about … [Read more...]
What’s the Big Deal about Calling Someone Retarded? I’ll Tell You..
Many of us grew up hearing the saying: Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. You know what? Words can hurt. Hurtful words can chip away at a person’s self esteem until there is nothing left. Retarded is a word that marginalizes the special needs community. Retarded is a word that cuts and it cuts deep. So what is the big deal? Why do we need a … [Read more...]
4 Things I Know for Sure about Parenting a Child with Autism
Life comes with a lot of uncertainties and a child's autism diagnosis can bring even more. We have no idea how our children will develop, how much progress they will make, and more than ever we worry about what will happen to them when we are gone. Even with all these uncertainties, here are some things that I know for sure about autism parenting: Parenting a child with … [Read more...]
Teaching Your Children How to Interact with Autistic Children
Have you ever seen a group of children playing tag on the playground and noticed one child repeatedly going down the slide? He probably wanted to play with the other children but he did not know how. If this sounds familiar, you may have just seen a child who is on the autism spectrum. Autism has been called an invisible disability and it is. When you look at my son, you will … [Read more...]
How Couples Can Support Each Other in Parenting a Child with Autism
Being a supportive spouse is something that can make a marriage thrive. However support is even more crucial when raising a child who is on the autism spectrum. Sometimes your spouse is all you have to help you deal with the challenges that autism can bring into your family. Here are 10 ways that couples raising a child with autism can support each other: Give each … [Read more...]
Mourning Avonte Oquendo: We Will Never Forget You!
The news of Avonte Oquendo’s death came in a text from a dear friend on a cold Tuesday afternoon. “It was Avonte,” she wrote. My body went numb. No! It could not be. Avonte’s parents sent him to school on October 4th 2013 and they expected him to come home to them. They trusted the Riverview School and the New York City Department of Education to look after him. They put … [Read more...]
The Impact of Autism on My Marriage
Marriage can be a roller coaster ride. This is to be expected when two people are trying to build a life together. So what happens when autism enters the mix? Although autism impacts each child and marriage in a different way, there are some common issues that autism families face. They can include financial challenges, child care, special education, lack of support, parenting … [Read more...]
Autism Awareness in 2014: 10 Facts You Need to Know about Autism
I ran into my six-year old son's former daycare provider the other day. During our conversation, I told her that he had been diagnosed with autism. As soon as she heard the word autism her facial expression changed. It conveyed shock and sadness. Then she held on to both of my hands and said, “I am so sorry.” Her expression told me that she truly believed that an autism … [Read more...]
The Best Gift We Can Give Our Children with Autism This Holiday Season
As parents of children with autism, we often wonder what to get our children for Christmas. Some of our children are verbal and can tell us what they want. Some of our children are nonverbal or have limited communication skills, so they can’t tell us what they want. As we fill our carts with clothes, gadgets, and toys, remember that the BEST gift we can give our children … [Read more...]
Facing Autism: 10 Things We Think About When Considering A Second Child
When are you having second child? Does Angel get lonely? People ask me these questions all the time. Some even tell me that I am depriving Angel of having a playmate. In essence, they all want to know when my six-year old son will get a brother or sister. All I can say is: “I don’t know.” When Angel was born, my husband and I never asked IF we would have a second child. We … [Read more...]
Autism Is Not Contagious!
Picture this: I am standing on the train platform with my six-year old son, Angel. It is cold. Too cold for November. Angel is munching on Doritos as we wait for the next train. All of a sudden, he turns around and looks at one of the ads on the platform wall and yells: “BLUE"! The lady sitting next to him jumps. She is startled. I understand. But, what she does next, I do not … [Read more...]