Jenny McCarthy

I was browsing the internet and came upon Jenny McCarthy. Little did I know that the old MTV star, Playboy model, multi film actress has a son who is struggling with autism and seizures. Not only was I intrigued to hear her story but I am now an owner of her book Louder than Words. As I started reading it I find it to be a very interesting book about her and her family's experiences with her son's diagnosis with autism. She has some intriguing theories about the environmental causes of autism and the "window of opportunity" for viable treatment of the illness. She has now published a second book called Mother Warriors: A Nation of Parents Healing Autism Against All Odds. I am excited to finish her biography type book and move onto her next book. I have read reviews and many people say that it discusses stories of people she knows that have children with autism. I suggest looking up reviews because many parents have shared their stories within the reviews and it is very touching.

Pinterest

After reading Lauren's comment I decided to explore Pinterest to see what I could find about autism. WOW! What doesn't Pinterest have? I found links to the ribbon explanation to educational tips to stories that parent's shared. I was really interested in a video I came across so when I clicked on it, it brought me to an entire article about how doctors want to 'redefine' autism and how this has been worrying parents because they are not sure if they will be eligible for the benefits if their child is not as severe as another. Would you be worried if you were a parent? Not only do these parents have much stress in their lives but here's one more thing to add to their list. They should not have to worry about being, in a sense, shoved out into the cold. Each family should be given benefits and the proper education for their child.


http://news.yahoo.com/doctors-want-redefine-autism-parents-worried-182002299.html

Laura Shumaker

As I further my research on autism I came across an article from a woman named Laura Shumaker, author/speaker/consultant. I clicked the link to her blog and found some unbelievable information regarding her and her son who is 26 with autism as well as an insight into her life. I feel like many parents go through many of the same feelings, emotional rollercoaster, daily doubts that Laura Shumaker goes through and has gone through. Take a look at her personal website that I was able to really get a better understanding into her daily life.

http://www.laurashumaker.com/

A little input I recieved..

When a parent was asked these questions....here are the responses, very interesting and beneficial to my inquiry on children with autism and their families. This gave me a better insight into the life of these families!

If you could explain one thing to the general public about autism in general or your child/family in particular, what would it be?

Response: That the stresses on a family dealing with autism are enormous and often hard to see on the surface, that these families often feel isolated and stretched, that these families experience all the same feelings of that those with typical kids feel--worry, hope, concern, pride, admiration, irritation, boredom, elation, etc. mixed with some monumental concerns about their children's ability to make their own way in the world, make meaningful connections and have meaningful work, that often the concerns are more simple and profound: what will happen to my child when I die? who will be looking out for them like i do? with my eyes, the ones that SEE their beauty, their worth, their value, their potential, even if they utter not a single word and behave in ways that people can't understand or don't want to take the time to understand.

The two wisest things i ever heard an autism expert say was:

(a) put the relationship first

(b) see all behavior as communication.

How do most people treat your child in public, and how would you prefer to see your children treated?

Response: People treat ______ as they would any other kid most of the time because his disability is largely invisible unless he's triggered (and then can yell or push or throw things or act floppy and fall down or lick things inappropriately) or overwhelmed in a setting with too many people or struggling to find his way 'in' with other kids and then he can be treated with impatience and fear and judgment. Some parents look sideways at me and usher their children away. I heard a woman at the library the other day say to her little girl, stay away from that boy, stay away from him, only she was talking in french and must have assumed I couldn't understand her.

If your child were to act out in public, would you prefer strangers ignore the behavior or offer to help in some way?

Response: When we have a hard time in public which doesn't happen that often for us, I would prefer if people would ask if there's anything they can do. It helps break the isolation, the separateness. It helps unite us as part of one team, the humanity team. It takes the sting out. It says, I get it. I've been in sticky situations too. I know it will pass. can I lend a hand in the meantime.

Sitting in night class

So yesterday as I sat in my night class, I noticed a man's bracelet who was sitting in front of me. It said AUTISM AWARENESS and had the ribbon on it. I was not sure if it would have been polite to ask him about it so I didn't. About half way through class we were put into groups to discuss some readings and he was in my group. After discussion about several stories he mentioned his children and wife, and held his bracelet and said "my son has autism." To my surprise, he was very open about discussing this (as I was not sure if he would be) and I told him about my blog I had started. He was excited about it and wanted to know if he could do anything to help. I told him I'd like to ask him some questions next week just to get a better sense of what his life is like with a child who is autistic. So I look forward to this and will update my blog with this information next week!

This is beautiful..MUST WATCH!

http://www.godvine.com/Autistic-Man-Singing-National-Anthem-Gets-Some-Help-407.html

Research! Research! Research!

I have been researching different websites and books about autism and the struggles that parents go through on a daily basis. I have some across some great sites and some not so great sites. However, I have found a mother's blog where she discusses the hardships she goes through but also the many rewarding experiences she has had with her son. She has posted a list of "the top ten things autism has taught me about life" and I'd like to share a few of these that I thought were very beneficial for parents to read.

1) Unless its a party no one likes surprises.
One of the universal truths of autism is the importance of knowing at all times what is coming next. Nothing can upset a child with autism like an extra errand they were not told to expect. Similarly it can be just as devastating to have an errand or activity removed from a planned outing. Something as simple as taking a different way home from Grandma's house can be both upsetting and also unsettling.

2) You can't read a book by its cover.
One of my favorite sayings about individuals with autism is this..."If you have met 1 person with autism, thats it...you have met 1 person.". Autism is a spectrum disorder. Within that spectrum you have individuals who are non-verbal and require constant supervision for their entire lives while also including on the opposite end individuals who are "quirky" or mildly socially awkward. The best way to learn more about an autistic individual is to spend time with that individual. Learn their strengths, accept their limitations, and expect to be amazed!

3) Sometimes we just need a time-out
Individuals with autism can become easily agitated by situations and locations a typical person would never notice. Fluorescent lights are often unbearable for children with autism as the sound they produce can be merely annoying at best and deafening at worst. Combined with the assault of extra sensory sights and sounds of their surroundings it is no surprise that many individuals with autism have meltdowns in public places such as the grocery store or a shopping mall.
We all need a time-out when we feel our anxiety gaining speed and our coping mechanisms failing. However, for someone with autism it is very difficult if not impossible for them to voice their need or to pinpoint exactly what is setting them off.


4) Take time to smell the roses.
This is probably the easiest lesson to skip or gloss over as a parent. We spend our days moving at rapid-fire speed to get everything done and in doing so we can miss so many of the simple pleasures around us. My son, Noah, has taught me this lesson time and time again. He takes pleasure in the smallest sounds of birds chirping in the trees or the way the wind blows through the trees and causes the leaves to rustle and spin. He will lay in front of our sliding glass doors and bask in the morning sun like a cat. He will do these things and ignore the toys in the toy box behind him or the books sitting next to him on the shelf. For those moments he simply wants to meditate on where he is right there in the moment.


5) A heavy load is easier to bear when someone helps you carry it.
When we are weary and heavy laden the best thing we can do for ourselves and our children is to ask for help. At times it can be the absolute hardest thing to do. Even asking help of someone we love, like our spouse or our family can be overwhelming. I think this happens because we spend so much of our time and our energy caring for our children and anticipating their needs that we really want someone to do the same for us.
And they can. But you are going to have to ask them for it.
Our family and friends, and even our spouses, are not mind readers. They may not know when we are at our breaking point. This is where communication and honesty are paramount.

I hope that you enjoy reading these little reminders as much as I did! I think it's important for families to know that there IS support out there if you just seek it.