Blog Posts Featured in "Today's News and Views"
Every day in Today's News and Views, I share posts that have caught my eye that day from blogs all over the Web. Those featured posts remain linked to here for future reading and reference.
Random Thought on Life with Children with Disabilities
From Raising 5 Kids: "I find the humor and happiness in life: watching my daughter who is deaf in her dance class with a big grin on her face, joking with my son who has dissociative identity disorder that he needs to check with 'his people' before he makes a decision, watching my son with Aspergers holding a wriggling snake and describing everything you'd ever want to know about it." (11/18/09)
From Raising 5 Kids: "I find the humor and happiness in life: watching my daughter who is deaf in her dance class with a big grin on her face, joking with my son who has dissociative identity disorder that he needs to check with 'his people' before he makes a decision, watching my son with Aspergers holding a wriggling snake and describing everything you'd ever want to know about it." (11/18/09)
Giving Thomas a voice that's cool
From Bloom: "Frustrated by technology that didn't support the fluid communication he wanted for his son, Richard [Ellenson] sketched a product more in keeping with his creative instincts (he owned an ad agency at the time): it was sleek as a video console, spoke like a kid, with all the right inflections, and had a built-in digital camera." (11/17/09)
From Bloom: "Frustrated by technology that didn't support the fluid communication he wanted for his son, Richard [Ellenson] sketched a product more in keeping with his creative instincts (he owned an ad agency at the time): it was sleek as a video console, spoke like a kid, with all the right inflections, and had a built-in digital camera." (11/17/09)
The Question That Can't Be Answered
From Adventures in Juggling: "It's hard for me to look parents, family and friends in the eye and tell them that the frail, almost bird-like baby with translucent skin showing practically all their veins nested in the isolette will grow into the perfect, athletic, valedictorian at their high school graduation." (11/17/09)
From Adventures in Juggling: "It's hard for me to look parents, family and friends in the eye and tell them that the frail, almost bird-like baby with translucent skin showing practically all their veins nested in the isolette will grow into the perfect, athletic, valedictorian at their high school graduation." (11/17/09)
How to Talk to the Parent of a Special Needs Child
For starters, advises Mom-Blog, don't say "I'm sorry." (11/16/09)
For starters, advises Mom-Blog, don't say "I'm sorry." (11/16/09)
What NOT to Say or Do: Special Needs Living: Toddler Daily Buzz
From CafeMom: "What NOT to Say or Do to a Parent of a Special Needs Child" (11/12/09)
From CafeMom: "What NOT to Say or Do to a Parent of a Special Needs Child" (11/12/09)
Got Choices?
From About.com Special Education: "At the same time I was thinking about the success that one of my students has been experiencing. I realized that part of his success was he was getting to make some choices. ... I realized that for each of my students, I need to be thinking about how I build some choice into each kid's programs." (11/6/09)
From About.com Special Education: "At the same time I was thinking about the success that one of my students has been experiencing. I realized that part of his success was he was getting to make some choices. ... I realized that for each of my students, I need to be thinking about how I build some choice into each kid's programs." (11/6/09)
Questions that hurt, comments that help
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "You're sitting there minding your own business when BAM, some friend, relative or stranger asks you a question about your child that levels you. These questions would not be in the 'well meaning' category." (11/6/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "You're sitting there minding your own business when BAM, some friend, relative or stranger asks you a question about your child that levels you. These questions would not be in the 'well meaning' category." (11/6/09)
Say 'Ahhhh'
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I have learned some lessons along the way that have made it easier for the doctors and nurses to do their jobs, easier for me to provide the daily care that Ashley needs, and most importantly, easier on Ash.." (11/5/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I have learned some lessons along the way that have made it easier for the doctors and nurses to do their jobs, easier for me to provide the daily care that Ashley needs, and most importantly, easier on Ash.." (11/5/09)
The united bloggers of the internets
From Adventures in Juggling: "This month is Adoption Awareness Month AND Prematurity Awareness Month." #link
From Adventures in Juggling: "This month is Adoption Awareness Month AND Prematurity Awareness Month." #link
God is in the Details
From Autisable: "'God is in the details.' I heard this quote yesterday and I began to think how apropos to our children. Everything is about details. Exacting, minimalist, painstaking details." (11/2/09)
From Autisable: "'God is in the details.' I heard this quote yesterday and I began to think how apropos to our children. Everything is about details. Exacting, minimalist, painstaking details." (11/2/09)
Good Grief!
From About.com Special Ed: "What do you do when a student dies? I thought that question was moot, until I got a call at 5 a.m. telling me one of my kids died in an accident. I just saw him the day before, happy and whole. My first considerations were my own grief, and the grieving of my staff. Then it stuck me: how do I help my class grieve?" (11/1/09)
From About.com Special Ed: "What do you do when a student dies? I thought that question was moot, until I got a call at 5 a.m. telling me one of my kids died in an accident. I just saw him the day before, happy and whole. My first considerations were my own grief, and the grieving of my staff. Then it stuck me: how do I help my class grieve?" (11/1/09)
Holding Hands in a Wheelchair
From Raising Toby: "Holding hands with a friend seems like not a big deal, but to me it is. Most friends don't consider holding Toby's hand because of the chair."(10/29/09)
From Raising Toby: "Holding hands with a friend seems like not a big deal, but to me it is. Most friends don't consider holding Toby's hand because of the chair."(10/29/09)
Why?
From Garden of Eagan: "People often ask me, 'Why do parents adopt these kids with Down syndrome from Eastern Europe? Aren't there kids here, in the U.S?' That is a question I can easily answer." (10/26/09)
From Garden of Eagan: "People often ask me, 'Why do parents adopt these kids with Down syndrome from Eastern Europe? Aren't there kids here, in the U.S?' That is a question I can easily answer." (10/26/09)
The Future Happens Here and Now
From We Go With Him: "As Charlie has gotten older, we've again and again heard that we need to 'think about where we want him to be in 10 years,' about the future, about his adulthood, about the next step and the next and the next. ... But being Charlie's parents, we also think a great deal---think most of all---about the boy in front of us, the boy who is Charlie today." (10/22/09)
From We Go With Him: "As Charlie has gotten older, we've again and again heard that we need to 'think about where we want him to be in 10 years,' about the future, about his adulthood, about the next step and the next and the next. ... But being Charlie's parents, we also think a great deal---think most of all---about the boy in front of us, the boy who is Charlie today." (10/22/09)
Going Out Gets Easier
From Autism Vox: A look at places that accommodate children with special needs. (10/19/09)
From Autism Vox: A look at places that accommodate children with special needs. (10/19/09)
I Want to Retire Too
From Only Casual Observations: "I had recently been notified that Walker%u2019s income needed to be reduced by about 50% or about half of his gross pay would have to be paid to the State of Tennessee. If he worked two less days a week the net loss in income would be zero." (10/15/09)
From Only Casual Observations: "I had recently been notified that Walker%u2019s income needed to be reduced by about 50% or about half of his gross pay would have to be paid to the State of Tennessee. If he worked two less days a week the net loss in income would be zero." (10/15/09)
For the Boy Who Makes Waves
From the NY Times: "Father Answers His Question on What He Will Do for His Son" (10/14/09)
From the NY Times: "Father Answers His Question on What He Will Do for His Son" (10/14/09)
Advocate vs. Adversary
From eSpeciallyBen: "Assume the people around your child want to help, are knowledgeable and can offer their own ideas based on experiences they have had." (10/13/09)
From eSpeciallyBen: "Assume the people around your child want to help, are knowledgeable and can offer their own ideas based on experiences they have had." (10/13/09)
Wheelchair Manners
From Teaching Learners With Multiple Special Needs: "Use the same manners you would with anyone else. Rude is rude." (10/7/09)
From Teaching Learners With Multiple Special Needs: "Use the same manners you would with anyone else. Rude is rude." (10/7/09)
One Good Thing
From Teen Autism: "The fact that ... he goes online to watch YouTube videos, makes me worry that someday he might stumble across the 'I Am Autism' video. And since he is aware of the fact that his parents separated within a year of his autism diagnosis, and then divorced, how will he feel when he hears the ominous voice saying, 'I will make sure that your marriage fails'?" (10/5/09)
From Teen Autism: "The fact that ... he goes online to watch YouTube videos, makes me worry that someday he might stumble across the 'I Am Autism' video. And since he is aware of the fact that his parents separated within a year of his autism diagnosis, and then divorced, how will he feel when he hears the ominous voice saying, 'I will make sure that your marriage fails'?" (10/5/09)
Don't Criticize the Parents
From About.com Deafness: "A recent guest column in the Motherlode blog published in the New York Times, by a mother whose seven-year-old daughter was diagnosed as having a hearing loss two years ago, has generated many comments." (9/26/09)
From About.com Deafness: "A recent guest column in the Motherlode blog published in the New York Times, by a mother whose seven-year-old daughter was diagnosed as having a hearing loss two years ago, has generated many comments." (9/26/09)
Seen through loving eyes
From the Boston Globe: "My granddaughter Lucy is six years old and is part of a class of people that is quietly being eliminated in my country. She has Down syndrome, a genetic condition that frightens so many women that 92 percent of those who learn they are carrying babies with it choose to abort." (9/22/09)
From the Boston Globe: "My granddaughter Lucy is six years old and is part of a class of people that is quietly being eliminated in my country. She has Down syndrome, a genetic condition that frightens so many women that 92 percent of those who learn they are carrying babies with it choose to abort." (9/22/09)
Sugar-coaters and Straight Talkers
From Left Brain Right Brain: "How should a pediatrician tell you your child may have a disability?" (9/18/09)
From Left Brain Right Brain: "How should a pediatrician tell you your child may have a disability?" (9/18/09)
Should You or Shouldn't You?
Hold your special-needs teen's hand in public, that is. A post from 5 Minutes With Special Needs says no. (9/17/09)
Hold your special-needs teen's hand in public, that is. A post from 5 Minutes With Special Needs says no. (9/17/09)
How Do You Explain It?
From Pedaling Backwards: "Little Miss gets fed via g-tube in public quite a bit. Medically it is the thing that keeps her alive. She has some 'disabilities' but the only chronic threat to her life is her feeding limitation. Kids look -- with their little open faces -- they don't hide their curiosity." (9/16/09)
From Pedaling Backwards: "Little Miss gets fed via g-tube in public quite a bit. Medically it is the thing that keeps her alive. She has some 'disabilities' but the only chronic threat to her life is her feeding limitation. Kids look -- with their little open faces -- they don't hide their curiosity." (9/16/09)
"Don't Cry, Mom, I'm With You"
From Autism Is Not the Boss: "My husband and I have been trying to engage our son in Cub Scouts for the past two years. Sometimes we think we are making progress, and other times, like today, we ask ourselves What were we thinking?" (9/14/09)
From Autism Is Not the Boss: "My husband and I have been trying to engage our son in Cub Scouts for the past two years. Sometimes we think we are making progress, and other times, like today, we ask ourselves What were we thinking?" (9/14/09)
Holding out hope
From My Charming Kids: "Having a child with special medical needs is......hard. And rewarding. Faith stretching and future blurring. Utterly challenging and relationship deepening. Scary and full of unknowns. Dream altering and hope holding. Always different yet full of new normals. Beautiful and amazing." (9/13/09)
From My Charming Kids: "Having a child with special medical needs is......hard. And rewarding. Faith stretching and future blurring. Utterly challenging and relationship deepening. Scary and full of unknowns. Dream altering and hope holding. Always different yet full of new normals. Beautiful and amazing." (9/13/09)
Trepidation
From We Go With Him: "All I can say, I am full of this---trepidation---today as it is Charlie's first day back at school after last year's school year came to a really tough end. (As in, a little stack of incident reports and a district-requested IEP meeting in which we were informed, Charlie was not to return to his public school classroom.)" (9/8/09)
From We Go With Him: "All I can say, I am full of this---trepidation---today as it is Charlie's first day back at school after last year's school year came to a really tough end. (As in, a little stack of incident reports and a district-requested IEP meeting in which we were informed, Charlie was not to return to his public school classroom.)" (9/8/09)
What We Learned This Summer or, Living on Charlie Time
From We Go With Him: "More than a few times, we've heard school personnel or therapists say, outright or in passing, that Charlie's behaviors are better at home because we, his parents, 'don't push him' (to get out of the car fast, for one thing) or we 'just give him whatever he wants' or because 'he just gets to do fun things.'" (9/7/09)
From We Go With Him: "More than a few times, we've heard school personnel or therapists say, outright or in passing, that Charlie's behaviors are better at home because we, his parents, 'don't push him' (to get out of the car fast, for one thing) or we 'just give him whatever he wants' or because 'he just gets to do fun things.'" (9/7/09)
A Minor Epic Tale: Going to the Dentist
From We Go With Him: "Monday morning Charlie had a very successful visit to the dentist and not only because he had no cavities." (9/2/09)
From We Go With Him: "Monday morning Charlie had a very successful visit to the dentist and not only because he had no cavities." (9/2/09)
The Guilt (and Sting) of Special Needs Progress
From Special Needs Bliss: "If you have a child that is more severely affected by a disability, do you ever find that the accomplishments of other people's special needs children send you down in the dumps for a time? ... Conversely, if your child is less-afflicted, do you feel guilty about sharing his breakthroughs and triumphs with others whom you know may find it difficult to handle?" (9/2/09)
From Special Needs Bliss: "If you have a child that is more severely affected by a disability, do you ever find that the accomplishments of other people's special needs children send you down in the dumps for a time? ... Conversely, if your child is less-afflicted, do you feel guilty about sharing his breakthroughs and triumphs with others whom you know may find it difficult to handle?" (9/2/09)
Tracking your kid
From Garden of Eagan: "Here's a new AmberAlert GPS tracking system on the market. This system has a lot of functions, but one of them is a "Safezone". Meaning if your child gets out of a certain range, you'll be notified. It has a speed setting. You know, if the unit is moving faster than 30 mph you know your kid has just gotten into a car!" (8/27/09)
From Garden of Eagan: "Here's a new AmberAlert GPS tracking system on the market. This system has a lot of functions, but one of them is a "Safezone". Meaning if your child gets out of a certain range, you'll be notified. It has a speed setting. You know, if the unit is moving faster than 30 mph you know your kid has just gotten into a car!" (8/27/09)
6 Tips for Back to School Shopping With a Child with Special Needs
From Special Needs Parent Coach: "Back to school shopping can be hectic, with so much on the list, including clothes, shoes, school supplies, and more. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for and/or with your child with special needs." (8/26/09)
From Special Needs Parent Coach: "Back to school shopping can be hectic, with so much on the list, including clothes, shoes, school supplies, and more. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for and/or with your child with special needs." (8/26/09)
Her Own Way
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "She may not behave as an almost four year old should, but she is coping, just in her own way." (8/21/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "She may not behave as an almost four year old should, but she is coping, just in her own way." (8/21/09)
Confession: I still get sad when other kids ask about my kid
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Generally, I don't feel like I owe adults explanations why Max is the way he is. But with kids, there's no avoiding the topic. They engage you. They want to know. They are curious." (8/18/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Generally, I don't feel like I owe adults explanations why Max is the way he is. But with kids, there's no avoiding the topic. They engage you. They want to know. They are curious." (8/18/09)
Life is Good
From SunshineTC: "I have lost count of the number of people who have criticised M's behaviour or my parenting, so it means so much to receive this kind of praise. As parents, we all need that kind of affirmation at times don't we?" (8/17/09)
From SunshineTC: "I have lost count of the number of people who have criticised M's behaviour or my parenting, so it means so much to receive this kind of praise. As parents, we all need that kind of affirmation at times don't we?" (8/17/09)
Setting Her Up for Failure?
From Shanan Trail: "I am thinking of changing my blog name to acceptance with resignation and surrender. It doesn't have quite the same positive ring as Acceptance With Joy; the name is too long. Still, it is more true of my current mental status." (8/5/09)
From Shanan Trail: "I am thinking of changing my blog name to acceptance with resignation and surrender. It doesn't have quite the same positive ring as Acceptance With Joy; the name is too long. Still, it is more true of my current mental status." (8/5/09)
How do We BLOG?
From Class of 2008: "We frequently get questions wondering how Sarah blogs. So we decided to show you. Although internet blogging has only been around for a few years, Sarah and I have really been engaging in the same process since 1995 or so. It was just more primitive, ie: photos, paper, three ring binders..." (8/4/09)
From Class of 2008: "We frequently get questions wondering how Sarah blogs. So we decided to show you. Although internet blogging has only been around for a few years, Sarah and I have really been engaging in the same process since 1995 or so. It was just more primitive, ie: photos, paper, three ring binders..." (8/4/09)
Normal at Any Cost
From Disability Studies, Temple U.: "The discovery that massive doses of estrogens could stunt a girl's growth, and that human growth hormone could make a child grow faster, turned height into an industry. A cultural disadvantage became a medical problem." (8/4/09)
From Disability Studies, Temple U.: "The discovery that massive doses of estrogens could stunt a girl's growth, and that human growth hormone could make a child grow faster, turned height into an industry. A cultural disadvantage became a medical problem." (8/4/09)
Things Are Not Always As They Seem
From Teen Autism: When "A-dar" steers you wrong. (8/3/09)
From Teen Autism: When "A-dar" steers you wrong. (8/3/09)
The Times, The Blogs Are Changing
From The Joy of Autism: "What's a life anyway? A series of decisions, forks in the road, relationships, children. I consider that sometimes, people are afraid to make decisions and many let others make decisions for them. I do not want to live that life." (8/3/09)
From The Joy of Autism: "What's a life anyway? A series of decisions, forks in the road, relationships, children. I consider that sometimes, people are afraid to make decisions and many let others make decisions for them. I do not want to live that life." (8/3/09)
not an invisibile disability
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "She's turning five this fall. She's forty-three inches tall and growing like a weed. On the outside. On the inside, she's a toddler." (8/1/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "She's turning five this fall. She's forty-three inches tall and growing like a weed. On the outside. On the inside, she's a toddler." (8/1/09)
You Don't Have To YELL
From Sneak Peek: "You don't have to stare, you don't have to point...you don't even have to avert your eyes. If you have a question ask it. But for God's sake don't YELL at me across a crowded hospital waiting room." (7/31/09)
From Sneak Peek: "You don't have to stare, you don't have to point...you don't even have to avert your eyes. If you have a question ask it. But for God's sake don't YELL at me across a crowded hospital waiting room." (7/31/09)
Screaming at the top of my lungs
From My Charming Kids: "We'll survive this, sure. We'll discover yet another new normal that works for our family and for Stellan. But okay? No. I would not describe this as okay." (7/26/09)
From My Charming Kids: "We'll survive this, sure. We'll discover yet another new normal that works for our family and for Stellan. But okay? No. I would not describe this as okay." (7/26/09)
Sometimes You Can't Tell
From Autism Vox: "Someone once said, about her developmentally disabled son, 'His wheelchair is on the inside.'" (7/23/09)
From Autism Vox: "Someone once said, about her developmentally disabled son, 'His wheelchair is on the inside.'" (7/23/09)
Unbelievable!!! From the paper...
From Toolbox Parenting: "'Deputy zaps, threatens children at shelter.'" (7/22/09)
From Toolbox Parenting: "'Deputy zaps, threatens children at shelter.'" (7/22/09)
Helping people see beyond the disability
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Max has always been a kid who loves to laugh, but lately I'm seeing a whole other side of his personality coming through: The kid's a comedian." (7/21/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Max has always been a kid who loves to laugh, but lately I'm seeing a whole other side of his personality coming through: The kid's a comedian." (7/21/09)
Small Acts of Advocacy
From Autism - Change.org: "There's taking action in the big broad sense--campaigns to get legislation passed, calls for greater understanding---and then there's the small and daily works of advocacy that one attempts, just to make things a bit better, or so one hopes." (7/19/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "There's taking action in the big broad sense--campaigns to get legislation passed, calls for greater understanding---and then there's the small and daily works of advocacy that one attempts, just to make things a bit better, or so one hopes." (7/19/09)
You're Under Arrest
From Autism - Change.org: "Individuals and students with disabilities may not actually be, as Evelyn wrongly was, arrested (though it has happened to at least one other student on the spectrum). But they are daily subjected to discrimination and daily have their rights and dignity trampled upon in a multitude of ways." (7/18/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "Individuals and students with disabilities may not actually be, as Evelyn wrongly was, arrested (though it has happened to at least one other student on the spectrum). But they are daily subjected to discrimination and daily have their rights and dignity trampled upon in a multitude of ways." (7/18/09)
No Miracles But Lots of Hard Work
From Autism - Change.org: "The one thing I wish I had said to some of those parents of much younger children is: Sure, it would be great if your child got a placement at this school. But in the meantime you must deal with what is in front of you---your child---and learn and work at teaching him yourself and you can do more than you know yourself." (7/17/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "The one thing I wish I had said to some of those parents of much younger children is: Sure, it would be great if your child got a placement at this school. But in the meantime you must deal with what is in front of you---your child---and learn and work at teaching him yourself and you can do more than you know yourself." (7/17/09)
To Tell or Not to Tell, That is the Question
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "One of the many things I struggle with when it comes to Spiff is whether or not to tell you about his Autism. And by you I mean anyone. Teachers, Camp Staff, Friends, Guests - anyone." (7/16/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "One of the many things I struggle with when it comes to Spiff is whether or not to tell you about his Autism. And by you I mean anyone. Teachers, Camp Staff, Friends, Guests - anyone." (7/16/09)
"What Trait?"
From Autism Vox: "Comments continue to come in to the forum-posted question, 'What trait of your autistic child would you like to see more of in yourself or in others?'" (7/15/09)
From Autism Vox: "Comments continue to come in to the forum-posted question, 'What trait of your autistic child would you like to see more of in yourself or in others?'" (7/15/09)
Show no Mercy, Take no Prisoners
From Samantha's Mom: "I am waging a war against these little bugs that keep infesting Baby Girl.And oh yes, it's very personal...MRSA, Gram Positive Cocci, E-Coli...they are all on my hit list." (7/15/09)
From Samantha's Mom: "I am waging a war against these little bugs that keep infesting Baby Girl.And oh yes, it's very personal...MRSA, Gram Positive Cocci, E-Coli...they are all on my hit list." (7/15/09)
Sweet talk
From Autism Vox: "I write honestly about our son and our life -- if I put a rosy spin on it I think that would diminish all of us. But I feel bad sometimes, like all I ever do is complain about Alex, complain about autism or its symptoms. I really can't think how the neurodiversity crowd does it so acceptingly, so cheerfully." (7/14/09)
From Autism Vox: "I write honestly about our son and our life -- if I put a rosy spin on it I think that would diminish all of us. But I feel bad sometimes, like all I ever do is complain about Alex, complain about autism or its symptoms. I really can't think how the neurodiversity crowd does it so acceptingly, so cheerfully." (7/14/09)
Don't Hate Me Because My Floors Are Spotless
From 5 Minutes With Special Needs: "Living with a medically fragile kid who spends a vast majority of his time on the floor makes the cleanliness of those floors a high priority." (7/14/09)
From 5 Minutes With Special Needs: "Living with a medically fragile kid who spends a vast majority of his time on the floor makes the cleanliness of those floors a high priority." (7/14/09)
Too Much Sad News
From Autism - Change.org: "Both Jeremy Fraser and Michael Becht, Jr., were autistic. The mothers of both boys have been accused in their deaths. Kristen LaBrie is accused of withholding cancer treatment and Patricia Becht is suspected in her son's death." (7/13/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "Both Jeremy Fraser and Michael Becht, Jr., were autistic. The mothers of both boys have been accused in their deaths. Kristen LaBrie is accused of withholding cancer treatment and Patricia Becht is suspected in her son's death." (7/13/09)
The Lucky Ones
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "My daughter, Ashley, didn't walk until she was 4 years old. She didn't eat by mouth until she was 9 years old. She didn't speak 'MaMa' until she was 12 years old. But even though the firsts didn't come as quickly, they are no less special." (7/10/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "My daughter, Ashley, didn't walk until she was 4 years old. She didn't eat by mouth until she was 9 years old. She didn't speak 'MaMa' until she was 12 years old. But even though the firsts didn't come as quickly, they are no less special." (7/10/09)
Trust
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "I exist in a constantly shifting state of trust and then suspicion where Schuyler is concerned." (7/11/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "I exist in a constantly shifting state of trust and then suspicion where Schuyler is concerned." (7/11/09)
What makes you cry?
From To The Max: "The trauma I went through when Max was born lies buried deep inside me. It surfaces from time to time, then recedes. But so much less frequently than it used to." (7/11/09)
From To The Max: "The trauma I went through when Max was born lies buried deep inside me. It surfaces from time to time, then recedes. But so much less frequently than it used to." (7/11/09)
My Armor is Stuck to My Body
From Can Mom Be Calm?: "I've been having a tough time trying to phase out of a battle-station mode. I think it's because I am always advocating for my children and anxiously seeking new ways to help them." (7/11/09)
From Can Mom Be Calm?: "I've been having a tough time trying to phase out of a battle-station mode. I think it's because I am always advocating for my children and anxiously seeking new ways to help them." (7/11/09)
Labels vs. Life
From Autism - Change.org: "On one hand, these labels can be a really positive source of self-understanding, of needed supports and services, of better communication, and a key to finding accommodations that work.On the other hand, these labels aren't life--how people think, feel, experience and interact with the world is incredibly complex." (7/9/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "On one hand, these labels can be a really positive source of self-understanding, of needed supports and services, of better communication, and a key to finding accommodations that work.On the other hand, these labels aren't life--how people think, feel, experience and interact with the world is incredibly complex." (7/9/09)
The best therapy that's not therapy
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "But sometimes, as I'm sure you've realized, the best therapy happens when kids are playing." (7/7/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "But sometimes, as I'm sure you've realized, the best therapy happens when kids are playing." (7/7/09)
Food for thought, courtesy of the food court
From Don't Bite the Dog: "Our kids deserve to come out of the house, out of the special ed classrooms, out of the therapy waiting rooms. They have a right to eat at the food court, play on the playgrounds, go to restaurants, and just be part of their community." (7/6/09)
From Don't Bite the Dog: "Our kids deserve to come out of the house, out of the special ed classrooms, out of the therapy waiting rooms. They have a right to eat at the food court, play on the playgrounds, go to restaurants, and just be part of their community." (7/6/09)
The Principle of Doubt
From Autism Change.org: "Celebrities float in and out of discussions about autism in ways that often attract attention, but impede real understanding." (7/2/09)
From Autism Change.org: "Celebrities float in and out of discussions about autism in ways that often attract attention, but impede real understanding." (7/2/09)
You never want to hear....
From Garden of Eagan: "You never want to hear a doctor at Mayo say, 'I have only 6 other pediatric patients with this disease, and I've NEVER seen it in a child who has Down syndrome.'" (6/27/09)
From Garden of Eagan: "You never want to hear a doctor at Mayo say, 'I have only 6 other pediatric patients with this disease, and I've NEVER seen it in a child who has Down syndrome.'" (6/27/09)
Roundup of Summer Learning Activities
From About.com Homeschooling: "Here's a roundup of free and inexpensive summer activities to help keep your children busy this summer." (6/27/09)
From About.com Homeschooling: "Here's a roundup of free and inexpensive summer activities to help keep your children busy this summer." (6/27/09)
Maladaptive vs. Adaptive and
From Autism - Change.org: "The experience of many of us is not that "insistence on sameness" jumps out unbidden and unwanted and makes our lives hard, but that "insistence on sameness" is actually a way of adapting to a confusing and chaotic environment, cueing into volitional action, or compensating for 'executive function' difficulties." (6/26/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "The experience of many of us is not that "insistence on sameness" jumps out unbidden and unwanted and makes our lives hard, but that "insistence on sameness" is actually a way of adapting to a confusing and chaotic environment, cueing into volitional action, or compensating for 'executive function' difficulties." (6/26/09)
When Everything Isn't Shiny Anymore
From Autism - Change.org: "So there are programs and plans to help with the transition. But the recurring problem is that there just aren't enough programs and, indeed, jobs for adults to transition into." (6/25/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "So there are programs and plans to help with the transition. But the recurring problem is that there just aren't enough programs and, indeed, jobs for adults to transition into." (6/25/09)
....and why you shouldn't say it!
From Sunshine TC: "Paediatricians, speech and language therapists and other professionals spell out your child's limitations and their impediments. Whilst we know that there are many parents and children who are worse off, we cannot fix it. And that is our purpose as parents isn't it? We make it better!" (6/25/09)
From Sunshine TC: "Paediatricians, speech and language therapists and other professionals spell out your child's limitations and their impediments. Whilst we know that there are many parents and children who are worse off, we cannot fix it. And that is our purpose as parents isn't it? We make it better!" (6/25/09)
Planting the Seeds of Special Needs
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "We made a very strong point never to say she is 'sick' but that she has a 'disease.' We don't want them to connect being 'sick' with always having a serious outcome." (6/25/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "We made a very strong point never to say she is 'sick' but that she has a 'disease.' We don't want them to connect being 'sick' with always having a serious outcome." (6/25/09)
Modern Love - Good Practice for a Tough Fatherhood
From NY Times: "It's sad to admit, but while some children are easy to love, others require more of us -- sometimes more than it seems we're capable of. But given the right combination of awful circumstances, you can discover surprising things about yourself." (6/23/09)
From NY Times: "It's sad to admit, but while some children are easy to love, others require more of us -- sometimes more than it seems we're capable of. But given the right combination of awful circumstances, you can discover surprising things about yourself." (6/23/09)
How to Handle Staring and Pointing?
From About.com Deafness: "Someone Twittered me a question: how do you handle staring and pointing when you have deaf kids?" (6/22/09)
From About.com Deafness: "Someone Twittered me a question: how do you handle staring and pointing when you have deaf kids?" (6/22/09)
Out of focus
From Autism Vox: "Sometimes it seems like Alex’s most obvious characteristic — or maybe it's autism’s most obvious characteristic — is lack of focus." (6/22/09)
From Autism Vox: "Sometimes it seems like Alex’s most obvious characteristic — or maybe it's autism’s most obvious characteristic — is lack of focus." (6/22/09)
Not the Good Goods?
From Autism - Change.org: "Part of me keeps thinking back to all the special stuff we've tried (i.e., bought) over the years to help Charlie---prism lenses, squishy sensory balls, a parachute (still have it, neatly folded up in its bag), a slanted board for his desk. Some things have been kind of or briefly helpful; others have brought some smiles, many have collected a bit of dust." (6/21/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "Part of me keeps thinking back to all the special stuff we've tried (i.e., bought) over the years to help Charlie---prism lenses, squishy sensory balls, a parachute (still have it, neatly folded up in its bag), a slanted board for his desk. Some things have been kind of or briefly helpful; others have brought some smiles, many have collected a bit of dust." (6/21/09)
We're Blogging About Mid-Summer Madness
From Tween Parenting: "The About Parenting Guides are gearing up for our July Blog Carnival and the topic is mid-summer madness with kids." (6/16/09)
From Tween Parenting: "The About Parenting Guides are gearing up for our July Blog Carnival and the topic is mid-summer madness with kids." (6/16/09)
Columnist: "Counting a little blessing"
From Disability News: "Boston Globe columnist Beverly Beckham says her granddaughter with Down syndrome is an unexpected blessing for their family." (6/15/09)
From Disability News: "Boston Globe columnist Beverly Beckham says her granddaughter with Down syndrome is an unexpected blessing for their family." (6/15/09)
Writing About Children
From The Joy of Autism: "In the coming week, I'll begin to look at some of the autism memoirs written by parents and continue the discussion of what may or may not be exploitative writing (even if it 'positively represents' autism), or writing that continues to explore the tension and the ethical dilemmas of how we represent autism in writing." (6/15/09)
From The Joy of Autism: "In the coming week, I'll begin to look at some of the autism memoirs written by parents and continue the discussion of what may or may not be exploitative writing (even if it 'positively represents' autism), or writing that continues to explore the tension and the ethical dilemmas of how we represent autism in writing." (6/15/09)
A world of possibilities
From To the Max: "Yes, the world seemed filled with possibilities this weekend. What possibilities have you been dreaming of for your own child lately?" (6/15/09)
From To the Max: "Yes, the world seemed filled with possibilities this weekend. What possibilities have you been dreaming of for your own child lately?" (6/15/09)
Therapy Or Torture?
From Can Mom Be Calm?: "So here's my recipe for Overcoming Water Spray Defensiveness. It is derived from Spencer's OT's advice and my experience with Logan. Hope you find a point or two useful." (6/10/09)
From Can Mom Be Calm?: "So here's my recipe for Overcoming Water Spray Defensiveness. It is derived from Spencer's OT's advice and my experience with Logan. Hope you find a point or two useful." (6/10/09)
Ability and Vulnerability
From Autism - Change.org: "Somewhere in between is the reality that we are human beings with unique abilities and vulnerabilities and specific needs, just like anyone. Assumptions and stereotypes don't lead anywhere good." (6/5/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "Somewhere in between is the reality that we are human beings with unique abilities and vulnerabilities and specific needs, just like anyone. Assumptions and stereotypes don't lead anywhere good." (6/5/09)
Now Where Are My Toe Shoes?
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "And oh yea, she is deafblind, has epilepsy, and currently has three brain tumors, and all those things mean squat compared to being a teenager." (6/5/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "And oh yea, she is deafblind, has epilepsy, and currently has three brain tumors, and all those things mean squat compared to being a teenager." (6/5/09)
Different
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "Schuyler is attempting to integrate herself into the social structure of neurotypical kids her age, and it's hard. She's been running into obstacles that I don't believe she understands." (6/5/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "Schuyler is attempting to integrate herself into the social structure of neurotypical kids her age, and it's hard. She's been running into obstacles that I don't believe she understands." (6/5/09)
A day for tears
From Cincinnati.com: "Jillian, the kid with Down Syndrome, is getting her diploma today. The child who couldn't learn, has. And now she'll walk from one life to the next, the unique mathematics of her possibility arranging itself anew." (6/4/09)
From Cincinnati.com: "Jillian, the kid with Down Syndrome, is getting her diploma today. The child who couldn't learn, has. And now she'll walk from one life to the next, the unique mathematics of her possibility arranging itself anew." (6/4/09)
Nurturing Art
From Autism - Change.org: "A local newspaper of Venice Beach (CA) published a story about an autistic man and the Venice Beach Art Walls. Apparently, like most people, the man has benefited from being included in his community and from doing things he likes (hopefully some day this sort of thing will happen all the time and no longer be news)." (6/3/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "A local newspaper of Venice Beach (CA) published a story about an autistic man and the Venice Beach Art Walls. Apparently, like most people, the man has benefited from being included in his community and from doing things he likes (hopefully some day this sort of thing will happen all the time and no longer be news)." (6/3/09)
I do like Curtis Sittenfeld
From Autism Vox: "I found Jodi Picoult's passing portrayal of a young man with a developmental disability gratuitous and sloppily drawn. Curtis Sittenfeld, on the other hand, has written movingly (if passingly) of young men with special needs with grace and insight and caring." (6/3/09)
From Autism Vox: "I found Jodi Picoult's passing portrayal of a young man with a developmental disability gratuitous and sloppily drawn. Curtis Sittenfeld, on the other hand, has written movingly (if passingly) of young men with special needs with grace and insight and caring." (6/3/09)
A Family's Story
From Autism - Change.org, a sad story of parents who killed themself after the death of their special-needs son. (6/3/09)
From Autism - Change.org, a sad story of parents who killed themself after the death of their special-needs son. (6/3/09)
The Dam is Going to Break
From Challenge Diabetes: "Read this story from the BBC for yourself. We've seen this dramatic increase in type 1 already starting about a year ago in the diabetes centers that we work with in the USA. Basically, the new cases of kids with type 1 diabetes have doubled!" (5/31/09)
From Challenge Diabetes: "Read this story from the BBC for yourself. We've seen this dramatic increase in type 1 already starting about a year ago in the diabetes centers that we work with in the USA. Basically, the new cases of kids with type 1 diabetes have doubled!" (5/31/09)
Tips for Choosing the Right Assistive Technology
From About.com Learning Disabilities: "Today's assistive technology (AT) can meet a broad range of needs for students with many types of disabilities. AT can help students with physical and sensory impairments and all types of learning disabilities participate more fully in classroom instruction, read better, write more independently, and learn more efficiently." (6/2/09)
From About.com Learning Disabilities: "Today's assistive technology (AT) can meet a broad range of needs for students with many types of disabilities. AT can help students with physical and sensory impairments and all types of learning disabilities participate more fully in classroom instruction, read better, write more independently, and learn more efficiently." (6/2/09)
Sponsored Silence and the Big Box of Words
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "This video was put together by the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center to promote awareness of augmentative communication." (6/1/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "This video was put together by the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center to promote awareness of augmentative communication." (6/1/09)
In which I impart actual useful information
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "I asked some of the amazing people I've met at the Prentke Romich Company if they could point me to studies actually illustrating that AAC use contributes to overall language and/or speech development, not just providing a voice but actually aiding in the development of other communication methods, including verbal." (5/31/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "I asked some of the amazing people I've met at the Prentke Romich Company if they could point me to studies actually illustrating that AAC use contributes to overall language and/or speech development, not just providing a voice but actually aiding in the development of other communication methods, including verbal." (5/31/09)
Doctor Leaf responds
Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: The doctor quoted in a USA Today article about augmentative devices says his criticism was taken out of context. (5/31/09)
Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: The doctor quoted in a USA Today article about augmentative devices says his criticism was taken out of context. (5/31/09)
The reality checks you get about your special needs kid
From Love That Max: "But when we leave our routines and comfort zones and the cocoon of our home, neighborhood and places we know, suddenly I have all these 'Oh, I have a kid with handicaps' moments." (5/30/09)
From Love That Max: "But when we leave our routines and comfort zones and the cocoon of our home, neighborhood and places we know, suddenly I have all these 'Oh, I have a kid with handicaps' moments." (5/30/09)
Calling out Doctor Leaf
From Fighting Monsters With Rubber Swords: "I was saddened and disappointed to read your comment in the USA Today article about the Proloquo2Go application for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. I felt it was a glib dismissal of a technology and a communications philosophy that has helped and will continue to help thousands of young people who are unable to speak but deserve to be heard." (5/29/09)
From Fighting Monsters With Rubber Swords: "I was saddened and disappointed to read your comment in the USA Today article about the Proloquo2Go application for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. I felt it was a glib dismissal of a technology and a communications philosophy that has helped and will continue to help thousands of young people who are unable to speak but deserve to be heard." (5/29/09)
Lucky
From Teen Autism: "'You're lucky he's so high-functioning.' - people who mean well" (5/29/09)
From Teen Autism: "'You're lucky he's so high-functioning.' - people who mean well" (5/29/09)
Is Your Therapist Better If She Has Children?
From Can Mom Be Calm?: "I asked a bunch of parents online what their thoughts were and most said they preferred therapists who had children of their own. Some felt that therapists who have children can definitely empathize with the emotional and real-life challenges that you have as a parent." (5/29/09)
From Can Mom Be Calm?: "I asked a bunch of parents online what their thoughts were and most said they preferred therapists who had children of their own. Some felt that therapists who have children can definitely empathize with the emotional and real-life challenges that you have as a parent." (5/29/09)
Hurry Up Please It's Time: Not So Fast
From Autism - Change.org: "While 21 (in the US, at any rate) means that you are---legally, symbolically---an adult, it doesn't follow that all 21-year-olds are able or ready to move out and be independent. Yet, in regard to my son and other children on the spectrum and with other disabilities, sometimes it seems that we make a great deal about such milestones." (5/28/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "While 21 (in the US, at any rate) means that you are---legally, symbolically---an adult, it doesn't follow that all 21-year-olds are able or ready to move out and be independent. Yet, in regard to my son and other children on the spectrum and with other disabilities, sometimes it seems that we make a great deal about such milestones." (5/28/09)
Is Your Life Like Art?
From Can Mom Be Calm?: "I think it is hard to find fictional literature, music, or visual art that is about living with ADHD. However, don't you think living with ADHD, autism, or any other special needs can be art?" (5/27/09)
From Can Mom Be Calm?: "I think it is hard to find fictional literature, music, or visual art that is about living with ADHD. However, don't you think living with ADHD, autism, or any other special needs can be art?" (5/27/09)
A little POd at Jodi Picoult
From Autism Vox: "What did he do, this boy who can’t wipe his nose, who rocks back and forth and who cares about dogs? What was his crime, other than being a boy with a developmental disability standing conveniently around when Picoult needed such a character to illustrate a sea change her main character is undergoing." (5/23/09)
From Autism Vox: "What did he do, this boy who can’t wipe his nose, who rocks back and forth and who cares about dogs? What was his crime, other than being a boy with a developmental disability standing conveniently around when Picoult needed such a character to illustrate a sea change her main character is undergoing." (5/23/09)
Yes, I DO raise my kids differently
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "If Hannah's condition changes, and God I hope it does, then we will start teaching her to fall asleep by herself, etc. It will be harder to do at an older age than it would at this age, but heck, I will take on that role in a heartbeat!" (5/22/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "If Hannah's condition changes, and God I hope it does, then we will start teaching her to fall asleep by herself, etc. It will be harder to do at an older age than it would at this age, but heck, I will take on that role in a heartbeat!" (5/22/09)
The Agents of L.U.S.T.
From BlogHer: "My son is obsessed with straws, and not in a tiny way. If we let him, he would chew on and fiddle with a straw, all day long, every day. In bed. In the pool. In the bath. On the trampoline. On the toilet. It's a challenge, but, in some ways, it's also an opportunity." (5/20/09)
From BlogHer: "My son is obsessed with straws, and not in a tiny way. If we let him, he would chew on and fiddle with a straw, all day long, every day. In bed. In the pool. In the bath. On the trampoline. On the toilet. It's a challenge, but, in some ways, it's also an opportunity." (5/20/09)
No macaroni
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "The TAKS-M reading scores came in this morning. Schuyler passed." (5/19/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "The TAKS-M reading scores came in this morning. Schuyler passed." (5/19/09)
Two unrelated Schuyler stories
From Fighting Monsters With Rubber Swords: On dealing with death and frenemies. (5/17/09)
From Fighting Monsters With Rubber Swords: On dealing with death and frenemies. (5/17/09)
Who's Watching?
From Autism Vox: "It's one thing to know your friend's kid has some unusual traits, it's another to know how very difficult life is day to day." (1/17/09)
From Autism Vox: "It's one thing to know your friend's kid has some unusual traits, it's another to know how very difficult life is day to day." (1/17/09)
We're Not So Very Different
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "My family has learned a lot about seeing people for who they are inside." (5/16/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "My family has learned a lot about seeing people for who they are inside." (5/16/09)
Consequences
From Fearless Females: "As like a lot of autistic kids, Meghan has a very hard time understanding the consequence of her actions. Sending her to her room wasn't enough of a consequence (or punishment) for her to stop the undesirable activity or behavior; and as a consequence, I had no way of properly mothering her and keeping her safe." (5/14/09)
From Fearless Females: "As like a lot of autistic kids, Meghan has a very hard time understanding the consequence of her actions. Sending her to her room wasn't enough of a consequence (or punishment) for her to stop the undesirable activity or behavior; and as a consequence, I had no way of properly mothering her and keeping her safe." (5/14/09)
Celebrating Mothers Day Differently this Year
From About.com Palliative Care: "Mothers Day can take on a whole new meaning if your mother or child is sick, dying, or recently deceased." (5/10/09)
From About.com Palliative Care: "Mothers Day can take on a whole new meaning if your mother or child is sick, dying, or recently deceased." (5/10/09)
Mother's Tears
From Garden of Eagan: "A mother's tears. Joy, sorrow, fear, gratitude, love, happiness. All the things mothers cry about. I'm so thankful to Him for allowing to shed mother's tears." (5/10/09)
From Garden of Eagan: "A mother's tears. Joy, sorrow, fear, gratitude, love, happiness. All the things mothers cry about. I'm so thankful to Him for allowing to shed mother's tears." (5/10/09)
Mother's Day for Special Moms
From Easter Seals and Autism: "This article on parental grief and adjustment to a child with disabilities reassures me I am not alone when it comes to feeling a bit of sadness on Mother's Day. The article lists Mother's Day as one of the 'common occasions of stress for families of a child with a disability.'" (5/9/09)
From Easter Seals and Autism: "This article on parental grief and adjustment to a child with disabilities reassures me I am not alone when it comes to feeling a bit of sadness on Mother's Day. The article lists Mother's Day as one of the 'common occasions of stress for families of a child with a disability.'" (5/9/09)
At the YMCA: Not What You Expect
From Autism - Change.org: Celebrating an afternoon of pattern-breaking. (5/9/09)
From Autism - Change.org: Celebrating an afternoon of pattern-breaking. (5/9/09)
Well kids, it's like this ...
From Don't Bite the Dog: "How do you explain autism to a child? How do you explain it without it coming off as disparaging toward your own child? How do you do it in terms the kids will understand? How do you do it in that PC way?" (5/8/09)
From Don't Bite the Dog: "How do you explain autism to a child? How do you explain it without it coming off as disparaging toward your own child? How do you do it in terms the kids will understand? How do you do it in that PC way?" (5/8/09)
The elephant on your chest.
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "He is leaning forward, arms holding him, his face is ashen. The room is tense as his mother and father wonder if it is time to make the trip to the hospital." (5/8/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "He is leaning forward, arms holding him, his face is ashen. The room is tense as his mother and father wonder if it is time to make the trip to the hospital." (5/8/09)
Attention Costco Shoppers: You Have Destroyed My Faith in Humanity
From The Adventures of Leelo and HIs Potty-Mouthed Mom: "Please know that if you see a child who looks too old to be having a tantrum going into full tantrum mode, there's a good chance that child is autistic." (4/7/09)
From The Adventures of Leelo and HIs Potty-Mouthed Mom: "Please know that if you see a child who looks too old to be having a tantrum going into full tantrum mode, there's a good chance that child is autistic." (4/7/09)
If My Son Ruled the World
From A Room of Mama's Own: "Then I read Austen's answer: the answer of an autistic eight-year-old boy who hates to eat, who hates new tastes and textures in his mouth, who is a confirmed neophobe and resistant eater. Yes, next to 'If I ruled the world, there would be no...' Austen had neatly printed the word 'food.'" (5/6/09)
From A Room of Mama's Own: "Then I read Austen's answer: the answer of an autistic eight-year-old boy who hates to eat, who hates new tastes and textures in his mouth, who is a confirmed neophobe and resistant eater. Yes, next to 'If I ruled the world, there would be no...' Austen had neatly printed the word 'food.'" (5/6/09)
Dumped
From A Room of Mama's Own: "I thought of all the people in his future -- bosses or caretakers or potential lovers -- whose attention and affection, like the sitter's, will be conditional. I thought of all the people he'll need in his life or want in his life who will be pushed away by his behavior. And I felt panicky and sad." (5/5/09)
From A Room of Mama's Own: "I thought of all the people in his future -- bosses or caretakers or potential lovers -- whose attention and affection, like the sitter's, will be conditional. I thought of all the people he'll need in his life or want in his life who will be pushed away by his behavior. And I felt panicky and sad." (5/5/09)
"Disabilities" vs. "Special Needs"
From Autism - Change.org: "Which do you use? In your experience, are different terms used more in reference to children and others to adults?" (4/29/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "Which do you use? In your experience, are different terms used more in reference to children and others to adults?" (4/29/09)
Unthinkable
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "Losing a child is one of the very few topics that I would classify as unthinkable." (4/28/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "Losing a child is one of the very few topics that I would classify as unthinkable." (4/28/09)
Oh no. Haircuts.
From Be a Good Mom: "Pookie has hair. Pookie has autism. Pookie needs haircuts. Pookie hates haircuts. Those are the facts." (4/27/09)
From Be a Good Mom: "Pookie has hair. Pookie has autism. Pookie needs haircuts. Pookie hates haircuts. Those are the facts." (4/27/09)
All I wanted was to talk to a human being
From Be a Good Mom: "No, this is not a rant about automated robo-dialers or the 'press 7 to speak to a representative' customer service lines. This is about me wanting to speak to someone who had a heart, some one who had emotions like a human being. Someone who would listen to me and respond with honesty and compassion." (4/23/09)
From Be a Good Mom: "No, this is not a rant about automated robo-dialers or the 'press 7 to speak to a representative' customer service lines. This is about me wanting to speak to someone who had a heart, some one who had emotions like a human being. Someone who would listen to me and respond with honesty and compassion." (4/23/09)
Op-ed: A mom reflects on life with a disability
From Disability News: Mary Jo Hebert, writing in the Albany Times Union, is the mother of a 17-year-old son with 'a slew of disabilities no one saw coming.' She says her journey has taught her many lessons; among them: resilience, flexibility and love." (4/22/09)
From Disability News: Mary Jo Hebert, writing in the Albany Times Union, is the mother of a 17-year-old son with 'a slew of disabilities no one saw coming.' She says her journey has taught her many lessons; among them: resilience, flexibility and love." (4/22/09)
Suffering or living
From Garden of Eagan: "Angela can live with Down syndrome, but Tyler cannot necessarily live with Schizophrenia. It can kill him. It can destroy his very core, making him want to end his own suffering. So, that's the difference between SUFFERING from something and LIVING with something." (4/22/09)
From Garden of Eagan: "Angela can live with Down syndrome, but Tyler cannot necessarily live with Schizophrenia. It can kill him. It can destroy his very core, making him want to end his own suffering. So, that's the difference between SUFFERING from something and LIVING with something." (4/22/09)
Baby-steps baseball
From To The Max: "Sunday morning was Max's first baseball game, ever. We got him onto a Little League Challenger Division team." (4/20/09)
From To The Max: "Sunday morning was Max's first baseball game, ever. We got him onto a Little League Challenger Division team." (4/20/09)
The Wonderful Thing About Tigger
From Teen Autism: "Over the years I've often wondered if this ability to memorize movie dialogue crosses over into other areas of his memory. And it does, a bit. While it's true that he can spell any word he's ever read, and has an uncanny ability to remember dates and places of historical events, his memory for his own daily life generally isn't as dependable." (4/20/09)
From Teen Autism: "Over the years I've often wondered if this ability to memorize movie dialogue crosses over into other areas of his memory. And it does, a bit. While it's true that he can spell any word he's ever read, and has an uncanny ability to remember dates and places of historical events, his memory for his own daily life generally isn't as dependable." (4/20/09)
Curious Neighbors
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "People buy balloons and display them for a reason. They do not want them liberated." (4/18/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "People buy balloons and display them for a reason. They do not want them liberated." (4/18/09)
a day of contemplation.
From Ends With 8741: "Let's get real here: is there any diagnosis that is going to make me feel 'better' about my son? I am a mother of a child with mental issues so severe, even the greatest minds in the field in my large metropolitan city scratch their heads." (4/19/09)
From Ends With 8741: "Let's get real here: is there any diagnosis that is going to make me feel 'better' about my son? I am a mother of a child with mental issues so severe, even the greatest minds in the field in my large metropolitan city scratch their heads." (4/19/09)
The boy at the bus stop.
From Be a Good Mom: "We also come early to the bus stop. I have had time to study this boy. He is a nice boy, probably 4th grade. I think he has Aspergers. I have thought that for a while." (4/17/09)
From Be a Good Mom: "We also come early to the bus stop. I have had time to study this boy. He is a nice boy, probably 4th grade. I think he has Aspergers. I have thought that for a while." (4/17/09)
I love it when Max plays alone
From To The Max: "Max is still dependent on us for basic needs like being fed and changed. It is beyond heartening to see this independent streak emerging. Not to mention, cute." (4/14/09)
From To The Max: "Max is still dependent on us for basic needs like being fed and changed. It is beyond heartening to see this independent streak emerging. Not to mention, cute." (4/14/09)
A Little Girl's Death; A Community Inspired
From the Washington Post: "Maddie's death on April 7 has sparked an outpouring of support around the world for the Spohrs; more than 400 bloggers have written in honor of Maddie. More than $30,000 has been raised for the March of Dimes in memory of Maddie; much of it in increments of $5 to $20 donations." (4/14/09)
From the Washington Post: "Maddie's death on April 7 has sparked an outpouring of support around the world for the Spohrs; more than 400 bloggers have written in honor of Maddie. More than $30,000 has been raised for the March of Dimes in memory of Maddie; much of it in increments of $5 to $20 donations." (4/14/09)
Ten Ways to Celebrate Occupational Therapy Month
From About.com Health Careers: "April is Occupational Therapy Month, and this week of April 13-17 is Occupational Health Nurses' Week." (4/13/09)
From About.com Health Careers: "April is Occupational Therapy Month, and this week of April 13-17 is Occupational Health Nurses' Week." (4/13/09)
Did I read too much into it?
From Autism Vox: Is Dr. Seuss's Gerald McBoing Boing really a book about a boy with echolalia and autism? (4/8/09)
From Autism Vox: Is Dr. Seuss's Gerald McBoing Boing really a book about a boy with echolalia and autism? (4/8/09)
The Hardest Words
From A Room of Mama's Own: "In seeing the specific situation rather than tossing out the generic words I might have, Austen saw something that I would have missed: an opportunity for gratitude." (4/8/09)
From A Room of Mama's Own: "In seeing the specific situation rather than tossing out the generic words I might have, Austen saw something that I would have missed: an opportunity for gratitude." (4/8/09)
there is a silence.
From Ends With 8741: "There is a silence as you walk further and further away/from the raging child who wants you to be with him/but doesn't know how to be with you." (4/7/09)
From Ends With 8741: "There is a silence as you walk further and further away/from the raging child who wants you to be with him/but doesn't know how to be with you." (4/7/09)
Changing gears
From Pedaling Backwards: "10 years of 'no official diagnosis' but lots of complex care needs. We have adapted, things have improved, but periodically and regularly grief and fear come up like twin specters haunting my peace." (4/6/09)
From Pedaling Backwards: "10 years of 'no official diagnosis' but lots of complex care needs. We have adapted, things have improved, but periodically and regularly grief and fear come up like twin specters haunting my peace." (4/6/09)
Celebrating our children's strengths
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Obviously, our kids have their strengths. Ones I think we sometimes forget to relish because we get so caught up in the whirlwind of it all." (4/6/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Obviously, our kids have their strengths. Ones I think we sometimes forget to relish because we get so caught up in the whirlwind of it all." (4/6/09)
Seeing Things Differently
From You Get What You Get: "If you've ever wondered what it's like to be different from everybody, there's a little experiment that you can do that will give you the tiniest glimpse into what life is like for those with special needs." (4/5/09)
From You Get What You Get: "If you've ever wondered what it's like to be different from everybody, there's a little experiment that you can do that will give you the tiniest glimpse into what life is like for those with special needs." (4/5/09)
My "reality hits" moment that I had a special needs child
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "For whatever reason, it never really hit me that I had a truly "special needs" child until a few days ago." (4/5/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "For whatever reason, it never really hit me that I had a truly "special needs" child until a few days ago." (4/5/09)
It Breaks My Heart...
From Amazed By His Grace: "Have you ever been emotionally whipped by your child's words?" (4/4/09)
From Amazed By His Grace: "Have you ever been emotionally whipped by your child's words?" (4/4/09)
Survival mode
From my charming kids: "This is like nothing I have ever experienced. It's surreal. Tired to the bone. Out of body experience. I can hardly even feel the clothes I am wearing or tell if my hair is pulled back or down on my face. It's a wonder I can even type. Adrenaline, I suppose." (4/2/09)
From my charming kids: "This is like nothing I have ever experienced. It's surreal. Tired to the bone. Out of body experience. I can hardly even feel the clothes I am wearing or tell if my hair is pulled back or down on my face. It's a wonder I can even type. Adrenaline, I suppose." (4/2/09)
Just another little boy who likes trains
From To The Max: "Music may soothe the savage beast but for Max, nothing is more relaxing than kicking back with a good train DVD." (3/31/09)
From To The Max: "Music may soothe the savage beast but for Max, nothing is more relaxing than kicking back with a good train DVD." (3/31/09)
I am tired.
From My Charming Kids: "I am tired of the ups. I am tired of the downs. I am tired of the rollercoaster. And I just want off." (3/30/09)
From My Charming Kids: "I am tired of the ups. I am tired of the downs. I am tired of the rollercoaster. And I just want off." (3/30/09)
This Shirt
From Asher Benjamin: "I love this shirt. But, what do I do with this shirt? I'm not sure I can get rid of it. I'm not sure I can let it go." (3/29/09)
From Asher Benjamin: "I love this shirt. But, what do I do with this shirt? I'm not sure I can get rid of it. I'm not sure I can let it go." (3/29/09)
Not invited
From An Acorn Dreaming: "I don't usually get upset about things like birthday party invitations. Parents have to make all kinds of choices to keep things reasonable and that's fine. Except . . . except this time it was for a kid who spends countless hours at our house. This time it was for a party that we can see from our house." (3/29/09)
From An Acorn Dreaming: "I don't usually get upset about things like birthday party invitations. Parents have to make all kinds of choices to keep things reasonable and that's fine. Except . . . except this time it was for a kid who spends countless hours at our house. This time it was for a party that we can see from our house." (3/29/09)
Please don't pity me because I have a kid with special needs
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I know exactly what my problem with pity is. It makes me hyper-aware that Max has special needs, and that I am not like other moms out there. And I just don't need to be reminded of that." (3/24/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I know exactly what my problem with pity is. It makes me hyper-aware that Max has special needs, and that I am not like other moms out there. And I just don't need to be reminded of that." (3/24/09)
Creating my own support system
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "The most difficult part of all of this is that her disease, Gaucher's Disease type 2 or type 3, is so incredibly rare. There are no mailing lists or community boards for this disease. I've only been able to find about a dozen families in the U.S. with children with this disease, of which only 5 children are still living with it." (3/22/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "The most difficult part of all of this is that her disease, Gaucher's Disease type 2 or type 3, is so incredibly rare. There are no mailing lists or community boards for this disease. I've only been able to find about a dozen families in the U.S. with children with this disease, of which only 5 children are still living with it." (3/22/09)
It's Okay!
From Don't Bite the Dog: "How many times have you been at someone's house, or in a waiting room, or in a store and your child is doing something he shouldn't be, and when you try to stop him from whatever that something is, the person you're with says 'Oh no, he's fine! It's okay!'?" (3/19/09)
From Don't Bite the Dog: "How many times have you been at someone's house, or in a waiting room, or in a store and your child is doing something he shouldn't be, and when you try to stop him from whatever that something is, the person you're with says 'Oh no, he's fine! It's okay!'?" (3/19/09)
Circle of Friends: Knowledge is power
From Autism - Change.org: "The underlying principle of COF is that knowledge is power. Our child's different ability is as much a part of him as his blond hair, and the more other people know and understand about autism, the better they will understand our son." (3/18/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "The underlying principle of COF is that knowledge is power. Our child's different ability is as much a part of him as his blond hair, and the more other people know and understand about autism, the better they will understand our son." (3/18/09)
What Can I Do to Help?
From A Room of Mama's Own: "Last week, in my guest post for Lisa Belkin's New York Times blog Motherlode, I wrote about some of the challenges a trip to the grocery store can present for my son Austen. Since then a number of people have very kindly commented or e-mailed asking, 'If I see a parent and child in a situation like this, what can I do to help?'" (3/13/09)
From A Room of Mama's Own: "Last week, in my guest post for Lisa Belkin's New York Times blog Motherlode, I wrote about some of the challenges a trip to the grocery store can present for my son Austen. Since then a number of people have very kindly commented or e-mailed asking, 'If I see a parent and child in a situation like this, what can I do to help?'" (3/13/09)
Where we are today...not a good place
From disabled Christianity: "We are rabid to kill disabled people before birth. We are moving towards a health rationing system which will potentially cause them to be denied services because they won't score well on a quality of life formula, or because their prospects (their utility to society) will be deemed less than desirable." (3/12/09)
From disabled Christianity: "We are rabid to kill disabled people before birth. We are moving towards a health rationing system which will potentially cause them to be denied services because they won't score well on a quality of life formula, or because their prospects (their utility to society) will be deemed less than desirable." (3/12/09)
Meeting the Big Box of Words, 2005
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: A video turns the tide at an IEP meeting. (3/13/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: A video turns the tide at an IEP meeting. (3/13/09)
Tough Times
From My (Un)Controlled Chaos: "Living with and being responsible for the growth and well being of one child with autism and another with a mood disorder can at times feel a little like trying to drive a tricycle up a mountain. I often feel completely inadequate and ill-equipped for the endeavor." (3/15/09)
From My (Un)Controlled Chaos: "Living with and being responsible for the growth and well being of one child with autism and another with a mood disorder can at times feel a little like trying to drive a tricycle up a mountain. I often feel completely inadequate and ill-equipped for the endeavor." (3/15/09)
The dream of an advocate
From disabled Christianity: "I'm not stuck in this world with those who would demean and exclude persons with disabilities. It is my desire to grow as an advocate such that they feel that they are stuck in this world with me and people like me who will not stand for the injustices that are leveled against persons with disabilities." (3/14/09)
From disabled Christianity: "I'm not stuck in this world with those who would demean and exclude persons with disabilities. It is my desire to grow as an advocate such that they feel that they are stuck in this world with me and people like me who will not stand for the injustices that are leveled against persons with disabilities." (3/14/09)
Sometimes all the accomplishments get lost in the daily challenges
From Don't Bite the Dog: "And you forget about the good until something happens to remind you." (3/14/09)
From Don't Bite the Dog: "And you forget about the good until something happens to remind you." (3/14/09)
Heartprints
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Nothing I've done to give my daughter every opportunity for success has included lessons in goodbye. And I am overwhelmed at the gracious and wonderful people God has put in my path because of my daughter." (3/14/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Nothing I've done to give my daughter every opportunity for success has included lessons in goodbye. And I am overwhelmed at the gracious and wonderful people God has put in my path because of my daughter." (3/14/09)
The Head Banging. It Is Intense.
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "In the last six months Parker has gone from a quiet, sedate kid, to an independent, knows exactly what he wants kind of dude. I like a man who knows what he wants. But not so much a kid who bangs his head against the nearest, hardest thing to get it." (3/11/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "In the last six months Parker has gone from a quiet, sedate kid, to an independent, knows exactly what he wants kind of dude. I like a man who knows what he wants. But not so much a kid who bangs his head against the nearest, hardest thing to get it." (3/11/09)
What Kind of Kid Bullies the Sibling of a Special Needs Child?
From the adventures of leelo and his potty-mouthed mom: "No one ever helped us recognize the shared humanity behind the special ed students' differences. And unfortunately, my personal experience has been that many people still need to be smacked upside the head before they can see the kid under the special needs label." (3/11/09)
From the adventures of leelo and his potty-mouthed mom: "No one ever helped us recognize the shared humanity behind the special ed students' differences. And unfortunately, my personal experience has been that many people still need to be smacked upside the head before they can see the kid under the special needs label." (3/11/09)
Including kids with special needs in typical-kid activities
From To The Max: "In situations like this, I'm often torn. I don't think Max would have enjoyed the activity, and if he would have wailed and cried it would have disrupted the event for Sabrina (and other people, too). But, who knows, maybe Max would have surprised me. I don't want to go through life leaving him out of stuff." (3/10/09)
From To The Max: "In situations like this, I'm often torn. I don't think Max would have enjoyed the activity, and if he would have wailed and cried it would have disrupted the event for Sabrina (and other people, too). But, who knows, maybe Max would have surprised me. I don't want to go through life leaving him out of stuff." (3/10/09)
Ambush my heart
From Fighting Monsters With Rubber Swords: "And so it turns out that a father's heart can break twice in one night." (3/4/09)
From Fighting Monsters With Rubber Swords: "And so it turns out that a father's heart can break twice in one night." (3/4/09)
Acceptance
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "At home, Max is just Max. But when I see him in a community of kids with disabilities, like that night or when I take off work and go to Max's school, it gets to me. I have a hard time accepting that he really is part of that community. It's when it hits me, hard, that I have a kid with special needs." (3/2/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "At home, Max is just Max. But when I see him in a community of kids with disabilities, like that night or when I take off work and go to Max's school, it gets to me. I have a hard time accepting that he really is part of that community. It's when it hits me, hard, that I have a kid with special needs." (3/2/09)
Reality Check
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "There's a hard reality to Schuyler's communication, and some real limits to her spoken language, something that goes beyond 'missing some consonants.' (She's missing most of them, incidentally.) Acknowledging that particular reality doesn't close doors for her, and it doesn't mean giving up on her." (3/2/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "There's a hard reality to Schuyler's communication, and some real limits to her spoken language, something that goes beyond 'missing some consonants.' (She's missing most of them, incidentally.) Acknowledging that particular reality doesn't close doors for her, and it doesn't mean giving up on her." (3/2/09)
Mall monster
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "Here's a peek at how Schuyler communicates in the course of a typical evening. She tells a little about herself, orders her dinner at a restaurant, and takes a slightly queasy spin with the camera." (2/28/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "Here's a peek at how Schuyler communicates in the course of a typical evening. She tells a little about herself, orders her dinner at a restaurant, and takes a slightly queasy spin with the camera." (2/28/09)
The Problem Isn't Really The Problem
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Somewhere along the line we had begun to view our son's inability to conform to certain behaviors as willful disobedience. We were seeing his inability to focus and complete school work as laziness and unwillingness to try. We were expecting of him what he could not give. We were inflexible." (2/25/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Somewhere along the line we had begun to view our son's inability to conform to certain behaviors as willful disobedience. We were seeing his inability to focus and complete school work as laziness and unwillingness to try. We were expecting of him what he could not give. We were inflexible." (2/25/09)
Power to the Peeps
From To The Max: "It is safe to say, I think, that parents of kids with special needs typically have much bigger issues on their mind than 'I must get my child to try a Peep.' Not me." (2/24/09)
From To The Max: "It is safe to say, I think, that parents of kids with special needs typically have much bigger issues on their mind than 'I must get my child to try a Peep.' Not me." (2/24/09)
Monday Morning Confessional: I used to make fun of a kid with handicap
From To the Max: "Now that I have a child with mental retardation (who, unlike Adam, cannot even talk to defend himself), it pains me to think of how Adam felt when we teased him." (2/23/09)
From To the Max: "Now that I have a child with mental retardation (who, unlike Adam, cannot even talk to defend himself), it pains me to think of how Adam felt when we teased him." (2/23/09)
How Grief Has Changed Me
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Grief has changed the person I am, the woman that I am and continue to be. It has changed the dynamics of my life and my family's life forever." (2/23/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Grief has changed the person I am, the woman that I am and continue to be. It has changed the dynamics of my life and my family's life forever." (2/23/09)
Compassion
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Let's be honest, the journey through the more complicated side of neurofibromatosis with our daughter has not been easy." (2/21/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Let's be honest, the journey through the more complicated side of neurofibromatosis with our daughter has not been easy." (2/21/09)
Guilt and kids with special needs
From To the Max: "It's a theme I see running through many blogs about kids with special needs%u2014the guilty feeling that you could always be doing something more for them." (2/16/09)
From To the Max: "It's a theme I see running through many blogs about kids with special needs%u2014the guilty feeling that you could always be doing something more for them." (2/16/09)
Flame of Hope or Ashes of Despair?
From Mosaic Moments: At a time when we could all use a little uplift, why has there been so little media coverage of the Winter Special Olympics? (2/13/09)
From Mosaic Moments: At a time when we could all use a little uplift, why has there been so little media coverage of the Winter Special Olympics? (2/13/09)
Valentines is just another day in Holland
From The Magical Mischief Makerďż˝: When you're a special needs parent, its hard enough to remember and schedule your children's daily routines and medications, keep their doctor's appointments and get there on time, worry about day care while your other children are in surgery etc. ... How the heck are we supposed to remember things like Valentines cards for our kid's classmates?" (2/13/09)
From The Magical Mischief Makerďż˝: When you're a special needs parent, its hard enough to remember and schedule your children's daily routines and medications, keep their doctor's appointments and get there on time, worry about day care while your other children are in surgery etc. ... How the heck are we supposed to remember things like Valentines cards for our kid's classmates?" (2/13/09)
The responses people have to special-needs kids, continued
From To the Max: "It's been six years since Max had his stroke. Clearly, it's going to take a lot more time for me to stop caring about reactions people have, insane or not. Maybe I always will care, I don't know." (2/11/09)
From To the Max: "It's been six years since Max had his stroke. Clearly, it's going to take a lot more time for me to stop caring about reactions people have, insane or not. Maybe I always will care, I don't know." (2/11/09)
Muted anxiety
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "Most of the time, Schuyler doesn't seem broken, not to those of us who love her and live every minute in her world. Even now, though, after all these years and as far as we've come with her, it is painful and shocking when the monster bites." (2/9/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "Most of the time, Schuyler doesn't seem broken, not to those of us who love her and live every minute in her world. Even now, though, after all these years and as far as we've come with her, it is painful and shocking when the monster bites." (2/9/09)
Yearnings and Fantasy in Coraline
From Autism - Change.org: "I don't know if Charlie--who's just the same age as the curious Coraline in the book---ever wishes that he had someone else as parents. (I would think he'd have reason to be annoyed at me, that-person-who's-always-directing-him-to-do-this-or-that.) Certainly I've come to have no wish for anyone than him as my child." (2/9/09)
From Autism - Change.org: "I don't know if Charlie--who's just the same age as the curious Coraline in the book---ever wishes that he had someone else as parents. (I would think he'd have reason to be annoyed at me, that-person-who's-always-directing-him-to-do-this-or-that.) Certainly I've come to have no wish for anyone than him as my child." (2/9/09)
hugs.
From ends with 8741: "Everything about E-Niner is severe. Severe ADHD, severe anxiety, even psychosis rolls right off my tongue. Why, after all we've been through with him, would severe PDD-NOS bother me?" (2/7/09)
From ends with 8741: "Everything about E-Niner is severe. Severe ADHD, severe anxiety, even psychosis rolls right off my tongue. Why, after all we've been through with him, would severe PDD-NOS bother me?" (2/7/09)
The Diagnosis
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Every parent to a special needs child has that story. You know the one, the one we never wanted to have. The diagnosis story. As an introduction, I thought I would share ours. It was the first of many diagnosis stories to follow." (2/7/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Every parent to a special needs child has that story. You know the one, the one we never wanted to have. The diagnosis story. As an introduction, I thought I would share ours. It was the first of many diagnosis stories to follow." (2/7/09)
The need to seem "normal"
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "The drool bothers me. But, it bothers me more that I even care; why do I feel this need to 'hide' the fact that Max has special needs? He's six already -- shouldn't I be past that by now?" (2/2/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "The drool bothers me. But, it bothers me more that I even care; why do I feel this need to 'hide' the fact that Max has special needs? He's six already -- shouldn't I be past that by now?" (2/2/09)
Raising awareness about our kids
From To The Max: "Since Max was a baby, I've been very open about what happened to him. Sometimes, it unnerves people how easily I can say, 'He had a stroke.'" (1/31/09)
From To The Max: "Since Max was a baby, I've been very open about what happened to him. Sometimes, it unnerves people how easily I can say, 'He had a stroke.'" (1/31/09)
Would you, could you?
From Holding on to Hope ... and Chasing Grace: "Nearly every website for every organization for people with special needs will tell you some variation of the message: there is hope. How hard must it be for people with special needs, and for their families to hear that in one ear 'have hope' and in the other 'someday people like you will be able to avoid this.'" (1/29/09)
From Holding on to Hope ... and Chasing Grace: "Nearly every website for every organization for people with special needs will tell you some variation of the message: there is hope. How hard must it be for people with special needs, and for their families to hear that in one ear 'have hope' and in the other 'someday people like you will be able to avoid this.'" (1/29/09)
At least it's not meth, right?
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Guess what I've found out about childhood cancer ... one of the long term side effects is apparently a raging case of hypochondria." (1/28/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Guess what I've found out about childhood cancer ... one of the long term side effects is apparently a raging case of hypochondria." (1/28/09)
The monster in our marriage
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "This is Dave: A guy who's not always practical, but who sure knows how to enjoy life. This is me: A person who's overly practical and sometimes forgets to enjoy life. We always knew these opposite traits would balance us out, but we could never have imagined just how much so until our son was born." (1/26/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "This is Dave: A guy who's not always practical, but who sure knows how to enjoy life. This is me: A person who's overly practical and sometimes forgets to enjoy life. We always knew these opposite traits would balance us out, but we could never have imagined just how much so until our son was born." (1/26/09)
Why Doesn't She Just ...?
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: Sometimes, those situations people judge so easily are far more complex than they seem. (1/24/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: Sometimes, those situations people judge so easily are far more complex than they seem. (1/24/09)
Make-a-Wish, Attend the Inauguration - ParentDish
From ParentDish: "Can you think of a greater thrill than getting to meet the man who would be the next President of the United States? Seventeen-year-old James Kessler, couldn't. So the teen, who is battling a rare form of sarcoma, with the help of the Make-a-Wish foundation, flew to Henderson, Nevada for a one-on-one meeting with the candidate, the weekend before the election." (1/20/09)
From ParentDish: "Can you think of a greater thrill than getting to meet the man who would be the next President of the United States? Seventeen-year-old James Kessler, couldn't. So the teen, who is battling a rare form of sarcoma, with the help of the Make-a-Wish foundation, flew to Henderson, Nevada for a one-on-one meeting with the candidate, the weekend before the election." (1/20/09)
Who Is That
From Be a Good Dad: "Pookie is having conversations much better than he was a year ago but it is still not anything like you would expect out of a nearly 6 year old. This is obviously a big deal because conversations are not just important for learning but just for socializing in general." (1/17/09)
From Be a Good Dad: "Pookie is having conversations much better than he was a year ago but it is still not anything like you would expect out of a nearly 6 year old. This is obviously a big deal because conversations are not just important for learning but just for socializing in general." (1/17/09)
Dogged Determination
From Sunshine TC: "Do those of my readers who are parents of children with language difficulties, ever marvel at their ability to put two and two together to make 64?" (1/17/09)
From Sunshine TC: "Do those of my readers who are parents of children with language difficulties, ever marvel at their ability to put two and two together to make 64?" (1/17/09)
Taking the Lead
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I just think it doesn't have to be this hard. Most of these situations could be avoided or quickly defused by understanding why the supports are needed and how they will help." (1/16/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I just think it doesn't have to be this hard. Most of these situations could be avoided or quickly defused by understanding why the supports are needed and how they will help." (1/16/09)
Decisions
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "This April, my first born son would have been celebrating his fifth birthday. He would have, except that he died, when he was five days old." (1/16/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "This April, my first born son would have been celebrating his fifth birthday. He would have, except that he died, when he was five days old." (1/16/09)
Glue
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "I cannot imagine that in the year 2009, the very best way to secure EEG leads to a child's head is with glue. (For that matter, is there really no other way to measure brain activity that this? Isn't this technology from the 1970s? Is my kid's brain activity being monitored by machinery that predates the 8 track player?)" (1/13/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "I cannot imagine that in the year 2009, the very best way to secure EEG leads to a child's head is with glue. (For that matter, is there really no other way to measure brain activity that this? Isn't this technology from the 1970s? Is my kid's brain activity being monitored by machinery that predates the 8 track player?)" (1/13/09)
Consolation of raising a special child--or is it?
From Fearless Females: "It's kind of like a weird consolation to having a child with autism and other developmental disabilities; that there is a piece of them, an innocence that may never mature -- and likewise, child-like behaviors that a parent will never tire of." (1/12/09)
From Fearless Females: "It's kind of like a weird consolation to having a child with autism and other developmental disabilities; that there is a piece of them, an innocence that may never mature -- and likewise, child-like behaviors that a parent will never tire of." (1/12/09)
"Our son has special needs"
From ends with 8741: If you know of anybody out there -- any child out there -- who has psychosis, can you send their parents my way? I'd love to trade notes sometime. If only to feel less isolated." (1/10/09)
From ends with 8741: If you know of anybody out there -- any child out there -- who has psychosis, can you send their parents my way? I'd love to trade notes sometime. If only to feel less isolated." (1/10/09)
How did we get here?
From The Special Parent: "Not everyone is going to be on board with an invasive procedure - no matter what it is. I think that most parents have that problem to some degree. You want to be so certain you are doing the right thing you rehash the whole thing in your mind over and over until you eat your gut in the process." (1/9/09)
From The Special Parent: "Not everyone is going to be on board with an invasive procedure - no matter what it is. I think that most parents have that problem to some degree. You want to be so certain you are doing the right thing you rehash the whole thing in your mind over and over until you eat your gut in the process." (1/9/09)
Special Needs?
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I look at all the different people in the world, I see them with all of their troubles, the issues that some children have and my heart breaks for them. It breaks for the parents and I wonder how others see us." (1/9/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I look at all the different people in the world, I see them with all of their troubles, the issues that some children have and my heart breaks for them. It breaks for the parents and I wonder how others see us." (1/9/09)
What I wish I'd known when Max was a baby
From To The Max: "You hear so many horrible things from doctors that you're not left with a whole lot of hope. You feel anxious about your child's future every waking moment, and all the while you're struggling to accept that the baby you expected to be like every other baby isn't. I wish I'd known back then some of the stuff I know now." (1/9/08)
From To The Max: "You hear so many horrible things from doctors that you're not left with a whole lot of hope. You feel anxious about your child's future every waking moment, and all the while you're struggling to accept that the baby you expected to be like every other baby isn't. I wish I'd known back then some of the stuff I know now." (1/9/08)
When kindred spirits meet
From Ends with 8741: "I felt like she was me fast-forwarded thirty years. And look! She survived! And look again! She works in a therapeutic school -- she still wants to help! And look some more! She wants to adopt a special needs child. Wants to. Even when her own schizophrenic son is living with her at home. Holy baloney, people survive what I'm going through!" (1/6/09)
From Ends with 8741: "I felt like she was me fast-forwarded thirty years. And look! She survived! And look again! She works in a therapeutic school -- she still wants to help! And look some more! She wants to adopt a special needs child. Wants to. Even when her own schizophrenic son is living with her at home. Holy baloney, people survive what I'm going through!" (1/6/09)
Ever wonder about the "normal" version of your child?
From To the Max: "I've heard other parents of special-needs kids say they wouldn't trade their child for the world. I used to think they were deluded, but now I get it." (1/5/09)
From To the Max: "I've heard other parents of special-needs kids say they wouldn't trade their child for the world. I used to think they were deluded, but now I get it." (1/5/09)
John Travolta and Kelly Preston Release Statement
From Celebrity Moms: "Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered. We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives." (1/5/09)
From Celebrity Moms: "Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered. We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives." (1/5/09)
Politically (in)correct? Rambling, rambling...
From Don't Bite the Dog: "This has been bugging me... There are so many ways to refer to a child with autism. Apparently most of them are inappropriate... So which one are we, as parents supposed to use? We've got autistic child, child with autism, person affected by autism, Autistic, Person with autism." (1/4/09)
From Don't Bite the Dog: "This has been bugging me... There are so many ways to refer to a child with autism. Apparently most of them are inappropriate... So which one are we, as parents supposed to use? We've got autistic child, child with autism, person affected by autism, Autistic, Person with autism." (1/4/09)
Izzie
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "Every day I watch them, and I wonder about this world in which it is the broken and the seemingly forsaken that fight the hardest, for an existence that the rest of us take for granted." (1/2/09)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "Every day I watch them, and I wonder about this world in which it is the broken and the seemingly forsaken that fight the hardest, for an existence that the rest of us take for granted." (1/2/09)
Not a Happy New Year
From The Special Parent: The death of Jett Travolta reminds us that "each day is precious and you never know when it will be the last one. Don’t make it a time of regret for all that could have been ... take today to make memories that last a lifetime, and beyond." (1/3/09)
From The Special Parent: The death of Jett Travolta reminds us that "each day is precious and you never know when it will be the last one. Don’t make it a time of regret for all that could have been ... take today to make memories that last a lifetime, and beyond." (1/3/09)
Our Sense Of Humor Is Special Too ...
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "When you're dealing with special needs as a family, there comes a point where you must either: a) laugh, b) cry, or c) go completely, utterly, irreversibly mad. (1/2/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "When you're dealing with special needs as a family, there comes a point where you must either: a) laugh, b) cry, or c) go completely, utterly, irreversibly mad. (1/2/09)
Have you completed yours?
From Play-Activities.com: "This is the time of year we reflect on what's gone on before and make plans for the future. We audit our lives. Whilst you're there making plans for a great 09 consider including a play audit for your children." (1/2/09)
From Play-Activities.com: "This is the time of year we reflect on what's gone on before and make plans for the future. We audit our lives. Whilst you're there making plans for a great 09 consider including a play audit for your children." (1/2/09)
How much do you trust doctors?
From To The Max: "The truth is that most pediatricians have it easy: strep, ear infections, and childhood vaccinations are all pretty easy to handle. Things like brain damage are a totally different story. There is little black and white; brains are plastic and there's no telling what one will do." (1/2/09)
From To The Max: "The truth is that most pediatricians have it easy: strep, ear infections, and childhood vaccinations are all pretty easy to handle. Things like brain damage are a totally different story. There is little black and white; brains are plastic and there's no telling what one will do." (1/2/09)
The funniest thing of all time.
From Life With Joey: "A frequent perception of autistic kids is that they lack a sense of humor. Joey is not that way, though he has trouble with jokes; understanding them and telling them so that they're funny to others is extremely challenging for him." (1/1/09)
From Life With Joey: "A frequent perception of autistic kids is that they lack a sense of humor. Joey is not that way, though he has trouble with jokes; understanding them and telling them so that they're funny to others is extremely challenging for him." (1/1/09)
The Good Stuff
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "You know what really rocked this Christmas? We didn't end up in the hospital." (12/31/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "You know what really rocked this Christmas? We didn't end up in the hospital." (12/31/08)
The stuff kids say about special-needs kids
From To The Max: "Are kids sometimes harder to handle than adults for you, too?" (12/30/08)
From To The Max: "Are kids sometimes harder to handle than adults for you, too?" (12/30/08)
"Hoping it might be so..."
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "I guess on Christmas Eve of all days, I permit myself to believe that perhaps Schuyler's strange words aren't necessarily broken, but from some other world that I'll never be able to visit but which, through her, I get to glimpse." (12/24/08)
From Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: "I guess on Christmas Eve of all days, I permit myself to believe that perhaps Schuyler's strange words aren't necessarily broken, but from some other world that I'll never be able to visit but which, through her, I get to glimpse." (12/24/08)
Three Things That Warmed My Heart Today
A Down syndrome adoption, an act of love toward the family of a child with autism, and a reminder to do those things that bring our children joy. (12/22/08)
A Down syndrome adoption, an act of love toward the family of a child with autism, and a reminder to do those things that bring our children joy. (12/22/08)
Did You Know?
From Only Casual Observations: "For those of us who have endured God's surprises in our lives, sometimes happily, sometimes with deep grief, we have discovered that we can really never know. We never know what's coming next or in what order or time frame. That's a real frustration for those of us who really don't like thrill rides or surprises, but it's just the way things are." (12/19/08)
From Only Casual Observations: "For those of us who have endured God's surprises in our lives, sometimes happily, sometimes with deep grief, we have discovered that we can really never know. We never know what's coming next or in what order or time frame. That's a real frustration for those of us who really don't like thrill rides or surprises, but it's just the way things are." (12/19/08)
A Matter of Etiquette
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I would love to know how other parents of children react when seeing a child who has similar special needs to your own. Or, for that matter, how you have reacted if someone has come up to you in a supermarket to remark on your child and the needs of their own." (12/18/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I would love to know how other parents of children react when seeing a child who has similar special needs to your own. Or, for that matter, how you have reacted if someone has come up to you in a supermarket to remark on your child and the needs of their own." (12/18/08)
Our song
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "High School Musical 3" provides a moment for positive attachment. (12/13/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "High School Musical 3" provides a moment for positive attachment. (12/13/08)
A Tale of Two Mothers
From A Room of Mama's Own: Two views of the same supermarket behavior. (12/10/08)
From A Room of Mama's Own: Two views of the same supermarket behavior. (12/10/08)
Big Guns, Abs of Steel, and Trouble at School
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I suppose if I had to list a benefit to Zoe's stimming, it would be that our girl is unbelievably strong." (12/5/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "I suppose if I had to list a benefit to Zoe's stimming, it would be that our girl is unbelievably strong." (12/5/08)
So, now what?
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "After you have spent a large part of your time in and out of doctor's rooms and hospital, things begin to take on a kind of routine." (12/5/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "After you have spent a large part of your time in and out of doctor's rooms and hospital, things begin to take on a kind of routine." (12/5/08)
There are three kinds of moms in this world
From To The Max: "Well, that's basically how you see it if you're the mom of a special-needs kid." (12/2/08)
From To The Max: "Well, that's basically how you see it if you're the mom of a special-needs kid." (12/2/08)
Don't talk down to him, please!
From Fearless Females: "Don't talk down to a person with special needs. Please. I's not necessary and it's demeaning to the boy and to his parents. And it makes you look bad, too. Okay!" (11/30/08)
From Fearless Females: "Don't talk down to a person with special needs. Please. I's not necessary and it's demeaning to the boy and to his parents. And it makes you look bad, too. Okay!" (11/30/08)
I'm thankful #8
From Life With My Special Ks: "Because of the medical problems associated with Down syndrome, I've learned to cherish each moment, each memory. I've learned to pray specifically, and I've learned to rely fully on God because there are just some things that are too big to wrap my mind around." (11/28/08)
From Life With My Special Ks: "Because of the medical problems associated with Down syndrome, I've learned to cherish each moment, each memory. I've learned to pray specifically, and I've learned to rely fully on God because there are just some things that are too big to wrap my mind around." (11/28/08)
The Person I Was Meant To Be
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Do you think parenting a child with a disability has changed you? Small changes or big changes?" (11/19/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Do you think parenting a child with a disability has changed you? Small changes or big changes?" (11/19/08)
Acceptance Is Not Submission
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Not too long after entering the world of special needs, I was amazed to see the level of animosity between various groups within the community. Although for the most part other parents were supportive of each other and willing to help in any way they could, there were definitely those who seemed to be pushing their own agenda." (11/21/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Not too long after entering the world of special needs, I was amazed to see the level of animosity between various groups within the community. Although for the most part other parents were supportive of each other and willing to help in any way they could, there were definitely those who seemed to be pushing their own agenda." (11/21/08)
Helping Peers Understand Our Kids' Social Challenges
From The Adventures of Leelo and His Potty-Mouthed Mom: A transcript of a presentations geared towards "typical" classmates of children with social challenges. (11/21/08)
From The Adventures of Leelo and His Potty-Mouthed Mom: A transcript of a presentations geared towards "typical" classmates of children with social challenges. (11/21/08)
It All Seems Like A Dream Sometimes
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "In the end, I am very thankful for the medicine and treatments that we have available to us in the United States. But for people with brain injuries, they simply aren't enough. I have come to the point where I am not afraid to try things that are 'outside' the traditional box." (11/21/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "In the end, I am very thankful for the medicine and treatments that we have available to us in the United States. But for people with brain injuries, they simply aren't enough. I have come to the point where I am not afraid to try things that are 'outside' the traditional box." (11/21/08)
Making plans
From Life With My Special Ks: When your child has special needs, plans are made to be broken. (11/21/08)
From Life With My Special Ks: When your child has special needs, plans are made to be broken. (11/21/08)
What Do You See?
Everyday things look different when your child has special needs. From 5 Minutes for Special Needs. (11/15/08)
Everyday things look different when your child has special needs. From 5 Minutes for Special Needs. (11/15/08)
Send in Your Favorite
From About.com ADD/ADHD: "Cold weather is fast approaching. As winter arrives it may be more and more difficult to get your child outside to play and run off some of that excess energy. I would like to compile a list of favorite winter activities to help your ADHD child release energy, as well as keep healthy with physical activity." (11/17/08)
From About.com ADD/ADHD: "Cold weather is fast approaching. As winter arrives it may be more and more difficult to get your child outside to play and run off some of that excess energy. I would like to compile a list of favorite winter activities to help your ADHD child release energy, as well as keep healthy with physical activity." (11/17/08)
How Did I Miss the Signs?
From Garden of Eagan, a story about recognizing Tourette syndrome in a wiggly boy. (11/14/08)
From Garden of Eagan, a story about recognizing Tourette syndrome in a wiggly boy. (11/14/08)
Overparenting and Being the Mother of a Disabled Child
From AutismVox: "Of course, there are marked differences in the overparenting I'm talking about, and the 'helicopter'/'hothouse'/'death-grip' parenting parents who aim every effort from pregnancy on to making sure their child will be material for the Ivies." (11/13/08)
From AutismVox: "Of course, there are marked differences in the overparenting I'm talking about, and the 'helicopter'/'hothouse'/'death-grip' parenting parents who aim every effort from pregnancy on to making sure their child will be material for the Ivies." (11/13/08)
I like my version better
The blog You Get What You Get takes on the lowering of standards for "too sick for school." Glad I'm not the only one getting annoyed by this. (11/13/08)
The blog You Get What You Get takes on the lowering of standards for "too sick for school." Glad I'm not the only one getting annoyed by this. (11/13/08)
Conversation with a Casemanager
From Reimer Reason: "As we were talking, we both realized that Kellen has been raised in a home where he has a registered nurse (dad) and disability advocate (mom) on 'staff' seven days a week. We work for free. Not only do we work for free, but we love him." (11/10/08)
From Reimer Reason: "As we were talking, we both realized that Kellen has been raised in a home where he has a registered nurse (dad) and disability advocate (mom) on 'staff' seven days a week. We work for free. Not only do we work for free, but we love him." (11/10/08)
I know WAAAAYYYYY too much!
From Samantha's Mom: Medical experience changes the way you watch medical TV. (11/8/08)
From Samantha's Mom: Medical experience changes the way you watch medical TV. (11/8/08)
Turn the Music Down
From the blog Life With Joey, a story about the joy of figuring out what your kid is talking about. (11/8/08)
From the blog Life With Joey, a story about the joy of figuring out what your kid is talking about. (11/8/08)
Getting Through the Holidays
The About.com Palliative Care guide offers tips for surviving grief during the holiday season. (11/5/08)
The About.com Palliative Care guide offers tips for surviving grief during the holiday season. (11/5/08)
Like a Yo-Yo On a String
From You Get What You Get: Shouldn't the special-education teacher understand that your child doesn't understand? (11/5/08)
From You Get What You Get: Shouldn't the special-education teacher understand that your child doesn't understand? (11/5/08)
Dealing with Hardship
From Musings of a Distractible Mind: "My job involves being around people who are struggling. Many people are dealing with personal illness, while others with loss. Whatever the case, it is a very common occurrence to sit alongside of someone who is in significant hardship. Here is my advice to them, and to you if you are dealing with difficulty. (10/30/08)
From Musings of a Distractible Mind: "My job involves being around people who are struggling. Many people are dealing with personal illness, while others with loss. Whatever the case, it is a very common occurrence to sit alongside of someone who is in significant hardship. Here is my advice to them, and to you if you are dealing with difficulty. (10/30/08)
What I'll be doing on Halloween
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Not that I won't be taking my kids for the annual candy-fest. But I will also be consumed with the knowledge that just before bedtime Peyton will be taking her last dose of chemo." (10/27/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Not that I won't be taking my kids for the annual candy-fest. But I will also be consumed with the knowledge that just before bedtime Peyton will be taking her last dose of chemo." (10/27/08)
The Things People Have Said
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "What possesses one person to think that it is OK to walk up to a complete stranger and say something harsh, critical or exceptionally intrusive to the parent of a child with obvious medical challenges?" (10/24/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "What possesses one person to think that it is OK to walk up to a complete stranger and say something harsh, critical or exceptionally intrusive to the parent of a child with obvious medical challenges?" (10/24/08)
5 Minutes for Special Needs Books
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "This week's selection is Yoga for the Special Child: A Therapeutic Approach for Infants and Children With Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Learning Disabilities by Sonia Sumar." (10/20/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "This week's selection is Yoga for the Special Child: A Therapeutic Approach for Infants and Children With Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Learning Disabilities by Sonia Sumar." (10/20/08)
Sensing Something Different
From A Room of Mama's Own: "It's Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Awareness Month. If you are like our family, every month is SPD awareness month. In fact, we are actually so aware that we do even better than that: every moment of our day is SPD awareness moment! Of course, some of you are wondering what it is that we're so very aware of." (10/21/08)
From A Room of Mama's Own: "It's Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Awareness Month. If you are like our family, every month is SPD awareness month. In fact, we are actually so aware that we do even better than that: every moment of our day is SPD awareness moment! Of course, some of you are wondering what it is that we're so very aware of." (10/21/08)
My Son???
From Amazed By His Grace: A nice surprise at an IEP meeting. (10/21/08)
From Amazed By His Grace: A nice surprise at an IEP meeting. (10/21/08)
Playing with keys
My son loves playing with keys, and I don't know if he'd give any up to make windchimes like these on the Play Activities blog, but it's a cool idea all the same. (10/17/08)
My son loves playing with keys, and I don't know if he'd give any up to make windchimes like these on the Play Activities blog, but it's a cool idea all the same. (10/17/08)
What's not to like?
From MOM - Not Otherwise Specified: "As Bud gets older, I find myself worrying because he is still drawn to toys and videos geared toward the preschool set. I worry that the gap between Bud and his peers is growing, and that before long his interests will inspire teasing - or bullying - from other children." (10/15/08)
From MOM - Not Otherwise Specified: "As Bud gets older, I find myself worrying because he is still drawn to toys and videos geared toward the preschool set. I worry that the gap between Bud and his peers is growing, and that before long his interests will inspire teasing - or bullying - from other children." (10/15/08)
Mean Girls
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "How do you respond when a parent is mean to your kid?" (10/10/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "How do you respond when a parent is mean to your kid?" (10/10/08)
I'm in Love with My Son's Teachers
It often seems that only bad stories about school situations get told. Here's a good one, from A Room of Mama's Own. (10/2/08)
It often seems that only bad stories about school situations get told. Here's a good one, from A Room of Mama's Own. (10/2/08)
Not your average to-do list
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: What friends and family should do ... and should NOT do. (9/28/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: What friends and family should do ... and should NOT do. (9/28/08)
Regifting
From Only Casual Observations: Organ donation is the ultimate regifting. (9/27/08)
From Only Casual Observations: Organ donation is the ultimate regifting. (9/27/08)
Haiku or Echolalia? A quiz.
Be a Good Mom asks: Can you tell the difference? (9/25/08)
Be a Good Mom asks: Can you tell the difference? (9/25/08)
The answer to our quiz
From Be a Good Mom: Answer to an earlier quiz, plus more groovy echolaliac poetry. (9/25/08)
From Be a Good Mom: Answer to an earlier quiz, plus more groovy echolaliac poetry. (9/25/08)
Lunch Box Notes
From FamilyEducation.com: Printable notes to give your child a lunchtime lift. (9/24/08)
From FamilyEducation.com: Printable notes to give your child a lunchtime lift. (9/24/08)
"Saying Goodbye"
If you followed Vicki Forman's "Special Needs Mama" essays at Literary Mama, you may have heard that her seven-year-old son died unexpectedly in July. Read her final essay here. (9/23/08)
If you followed Vicki Forman's "Special Needs Mama" essays at Literary Mama, you may have heard that her seven-year-old son died unexpectedly in July. Read her final essay here. (9/23/08)
A real life metaphor
The blog Disabled Christianity considers the story of a man who sacrificed his life to save his adult son with Down syndrome. (9/23/08)
The blog Disabled Christianity considers the story of a man who sacrificed his life to save his adult son with Down syndrome. (9/23/08)
I Am Capable Of More Than I Think I Am : NPR
On NPR, a father writes of his daughter with Down syndrome: "I now believe Genevieve is here for everyone. I believe Genevieve is taking over the world, one heart at a time ... beginning with mine. I believe that what was once our perceived damnation has now become our unexpected salvation." (9/23/08)
On NPR, a father writes of his daughter with Down syndrome: "I now believe Genevieve is here for everyone. I believe Genevieve is taking over the world, one heart at a time ... beginning with mine. I believe that what was once our perceived damnation has now become our unexpected salvation." (9/23/08)
The Rewards of Children Growing Up SLLLOOOOWWWWLLLY
From Mom-Blog: Developmental delays have their upside. (9/23/08)
From Mom-Blog: Developmental delays have their upside. (9/23/08)
Two parts optimism, one part mother guilt
From Pinwheels: Balancing work and family life, whether you're writing a book or running for vice president. (9/22/08)
From Pinwheels: Balancing work and family life, whether you're writing a book or running for vice president. (9/22/08)
Did you read the fine print on those vows?
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "One of the scarier statistics we heard over the months following Peyton's cancer diagnosis wasn't about her survival chances or secondary disease, it was about the divorce rate." (9/22/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "One of the scarier statistics we heard over the months following Peyton's cancer diagnosis wasn't about her survival chances or secondary disease, it was about the divorce rate." (9/22/08)
Even When We're Sick ...
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: The Challenges of Discipline With A Medically Fragile Child. (9/20/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: The Challenges of Discipline With A Medically Fragile Child. (9/20/08)
The Power of Raising Special Kids
The blog Fearless Females looks at the positive changes that having a child with special needs brings to your life, like no longer having to worry about having the most "bling." (9/17/08)
The blog Fearless Females looks at the positive changes that having a child with special needs brings to your life, like no longer having to worry about having the most "bling." (9/17/08)
What Do YOU Expect?
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "The conundrum for me is why special education teachers and administrative staff seem to have low expectations for the academic achievements of our children with significant disabilities but have very high expectations for compliance in those same children." (9/17/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "The conundrum for me is why special education teachers and administrative staff seem to have low expectations for the academic achievements of our children with significant disabilities but have very high expectations for compliance in those same children." (9/17/08)
Pookie Does Not Have a Drinking Problem, and neither do I.
From Be a Good Mom: Kids perseverate on the darnedest things. (9/16/08)
From Be a Good Mom: Kids perseverate on the darnedest things. (9/16/08)
Improv: UR DOIN IT RITE. Optimism: UR DOIN IT WRONG
From The Adventures of Leelo and His Potty-Mouthed Mom: Sometimes things happen that make you feel you've really got it all together as a parent; these are usually followed by things that make you feel you haven't got a clue. (9/15/08)
From The Adventures of Leelo and His Potty-Mouthed Mom: Sometimes things happen that make you feel you've really got it all together as a parent; these are usually followed by things that make you feel you haven't got a clue. (9/15/08)
Can You Meet ALL Their Special Needs?
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: Siblings without special needs need their parents, too. (9/14/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: Siblings without special needs need their parents, too. (9/14/08)
Random Just-Woke-Up Thoughts
Among those thoughts, from the blog Don't Bite the Dog: "How much of our children's problems do we create ourselves, how much do we just imagine to be wrong? How many tantrums do we cause, in an effort to avoid those same tantrums?" (9/12/08)
Among those thoughts, from the blog Don't Bite the Dog: "How much of our children's problems do we create ourselves, how much do we just imagine to be wrong? How many tantrums do we cause, in an effort to avoid those same tantrums?" (9/12/08)
Crazy Times Call For Desperate Measures
From Fearless Females: Turning off Typical Highway onto the much bumpier Autism Path. (9/11/08)
From Fearless Females: Turning off Typical Highway onto the much bumpier Autism Path. (9/11/08)
Growing Up, Getting Good
From Autism Vox: "A new study by sociologists and social work researchers from the University of Chicago and University of Wisconsin-Madison has found that parenting children with disabilities becomes less taxing over time." (9/11/08)
From Autism Vox: "A new study by sociologists and social work researchers from the University of Chicago and University of Wisconsin-Madison has found that parenting children with disabilities becomes less taxing over time." (9/11/08)
Blessed by Misfortune
From the blog Only Casual Observations: "It has been my experience that if you keep looking, you can find some tiny kernel of good in absolutely everything ... yes, even in the ones that seemed most disastrous." (9/10/08)
From the blog Only Casual Observations: "It has been my experience that if you keep looking, you can find some tiny kernel of good in absolutely everything ... yes, even in the ones that seemed most disastrous." (9/10/08)
Going Broke Raising Special Needs Kids?
The blog Fearless Females has some advice on affording therapies. (9/10/08)
The blog Fearless Females has some advice on affording therapies. (9/10/08)
Names
From Only Casual Observations: The mother of an adult with Down syndrome reflects on the push for people-first language. (9/8/08)
From Only Casual Observations: The mother of an adult with Down syndrome reflects on the push for people-first language. (9/8/08)
The Evaluation Tightrope
For starters, watch what you say. From the blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs. (9/5/08)
For starters, watch what you say. From the blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs. (9/5/08)
The Power of Words
From 5 Minutes With Special Needs: "Have you ever had someone say something to you that changed your world or gave you a new perspective?" (9/6/08)
From 5 Minutes With Special Needs: "Have you ever had someone say something to you that changed your world or gave you a new perspective?" (9/6/08)
Expecting Too Much?
From 5 Minutes With Special Needs: Ashley's mom relays a conversation that will, unfortunately, be all too familiar to many of us. (9/3/08)
From 5 Minutes With Special Needs: Ashley's mom relays a conversation that will, unfortunately, be all too familiar to many of us. (9/3/08)
The Power of Denial
From the blog Fearless Females: "One of the saddest problems with her denying the truth about her son was that when we were all together, usually at her house, she would be very hard on her son -- as if to say, you have to be more than you are ... you're not good enough; and all for appearances." (8/29/08)
From the blog Fearless Females: "One of the saddest problems with her denying the truth about her son was that when we were all together, usually at her house, she would be very hard on her son -- as if to say, you have to be more than you are ... you're not good enough; and all for appearances." (8/29/08)
Please Don't Leave
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: When the arrival of a child with special needs in your family leads to a loss of friends. (8/28/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: When the arrival of a child with special needs in your family leads to a loss of friends. (8/28/08)
How The System Works
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: Want to convince a caseworker your family needs support? Maybe don't clean your house first. (8/28/08)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: Want to convince a caseworker your family needs support? Maybe don't clean your house first. (8/28/08)
Peace and quiet
Uncomforting words, when the school bus shows up to transport your toddler without the proper restraints: "Busses don't get in accidents, he'll be fine." From the blog Don't Bite the Dog. (8/26/08)
Uncomforting words, when the school bus shows up to transport your toddler without the proper restraints: "Busses don't get in accidents, he'll be fine." From the blog Don't Bite the Dog. (8/26/08)
First Day of School
... or not, since the school bus never came to pick up this autistic toddler for the first day of preschool. From the blog Don't Bite the Dog. (8/25/08)
... or not, since the school bus never came to pick up this autistic toddler for the first day of preschool. From the blog Don't Bite the Dog. (8/25/08)
Sending Him Packing
From the blog Joey's Mom: Anybody got good ideas for school lunches? (8/24/08)
From the blog Joey's Mom: Anybody got good ideas for school lunches? (8/24/08)
Give Us a Break!!!
From the blog Only Casual Observations: "Grief is a bit like the weather when you view it over a period of time. The rain, and tears, always stop, at least for a while." (8/22/08)
From the blog Only Casual Observations: "Grief is a bit like the weather when you view it over a period of time. The rain, and tears, always stop, at least for a while." (8/22/08)
Good Therapy
From the blog Fearless Females: A boy with autism gets sneaky in therapy. (8/22/08)
From the blog Fearless Females: A boy with autism gets sneaky in therapy. (8/22/08)
SunshineTC: Occupational Therapy
From the blog SunshineTC: A description of an occupational therapy evaluaton, with links to items recommended by the therapist. (8/22/08)
From the blog SunshineTC: A description of an occupational therapy evaluaton, with links to items recommended by the therapist. (8/22/08)
Plays Well With Others
A picture history of a successful playdate. (8/20/08)
A picture history of a successful playdate. (8/20/08)
Our Gold Medalist: Debbie Phelps
Allowing for greatness when so many are telling you it doesn't exist should be worth some cheering, too. (8/20/08)
Allowing for greatness when so many are telling you it doesn't exist should be worth some cheering, too. (8/20/08)
Pet monsters are a lot of responsibility
An argument against People First language, from the blog Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords. (8/19/09)
An argument against People First language, from the blog Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords. (8/19/09)
Words, Words, Words
Kristina Chew give some thoughts on "the R-word" and other not-so-nice words on the blog Autism Vox. (8/15/08)
Kristina Chew give some thoughts on "the R-word" and other not-so-nice words on the blog Autism Vox. (8/15/08)
Should I be here?
Your own problems always look better when compared to someone else's. (8/15/08)
Your own problems always look better when compared to someone else's. (8/15/08)
Language Matters III: Things I Usually Avoid
Maybe this is a good time to educate people on how hurtful the R-word is. (8/14/08)
Maybe this is a good time to educate people on how hurtful the R-word is. (8/14/08)
Planes, Trains, Automobiles
Special-needs tips for your autumn trips. (8/14/08)
Special-needs tips for your autumn trips. (8/14/08)
Brave Hero and the Feeding Specialist
From the blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Learning to eat takes Parker way out of his comfort zone. Because of his spirit and spunk and willingness to try even though it is hard, I refer to him as our Brave Hero." (7/31/08)
From the blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "Learning to eat takes Parker way out of his comfort zone. Because of his spirit and spunk and willingness to try even though it is hard, I refer to him as our Brave Hero." (7/31/08)
Hug Therapy
Have you had a moment when your child just made everything better? Share it with this blogger. (8/12/08)
Have you had a moment when your child just made everything better? Share it with this blogger. (8/12/08)
Life With Joey: Language Matters II
"It is a sad comment on society that people are not protected unless they yell loud enough to be heard. But there it is. We add our voices to the cry: 'We are all unique! We are all human! We all have rights!'" (8/12/08)
"It is a sad comment on society that people are not protected unless they yell loud enough to be heard. But there it is. We add our voices to the cry: 'We are all unique! We are all human! We all have rights!'" (8/12/08)
Reimer Reason: Doesn't This Just Sum It Up?
Sometimes, teen attitude is a good sign. (8/12/08)
Sometimes, teen attitude is a good sign. (8/12/08)
MOM - Not Otherwise Specified: Whatev
Cool dudes got their own lingo. (8/10/08)
Cool dudes got their own lingo. (8/10/08)
Karianna and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
You've had one of those, haven't you? (8/9/09)
You've had one of those, haven't you? (8/9/09)
The Princess and the Pea
Sensory processing problems, or a secret sign of royalty? (8/9/08)
Sensory processing problems, or a secret sign of royalty? (8/9/08)
Life With Joey: Doors
When times get stressful, bad old habits come back. (8/8/08)
When times get stressful, bad old habits come back. (8/8/08)
Never Letting Go Of Hope
A report on an autism conference session entitled "Yes, Your Child Is Autistic, But Who Are You?" and presented by Eustacia Cutler, mother of Temple Grandin. (8/8/08)
A report on an autism conference session entitled "Yes, Your Child Is Autistic, But Who Are You?" and presented by Eustacia Cutler, mother of Temple Grandin. (8/8/08)
School seems to be going better
A boy gets back to school after brain cancer. "Last night before falling asleep he told me a boy touched his scar (he pointed to the back of his head). I asked him what he told the boy. He said, 'I told him the doctor's did something naughty back there.'" (8/8/08)
A boy gets back to school after brain cancer. "Last night before falling asleep he told me a boy touched his scar (he pointed to the back of his head). I asked him what he told the boy. He said, 'I told him the doctor's did something naughty back there.'" (8/8/08)
only casual observations: Fearful, Feisty, and Flexible
Slow development is not the same as no development. (8/8/08)
Slow development is not the same as no development. (8/8/08)
All Smiles!
If you want your child to stay calm at the doctor's, try rehearsing the part ahead of time. (8/8/08)
If you want your child to stay calm at the doctor's, try rehearsing the part ahead of time. (8/8/08)
The Big Kid
Shawn Andrews of the Philadelphia Eagles (that's professional football, for those like me who are out of touch with athletics) is speaking out about his problems with depression in the hope of helping "someone else going through the same things." (8/5/08)
Shawn Andrews of the Philadelphia Eagles (that's professional football, for those like me who are out of touch with athletics) is speaking out about his problems with depression in the hope of helping "someone else going through the same things." (8/5/08)
only casual observations: Be Not Afraid
Sometimes, being a parent of a child with special needs shows you that the things you feared most are not so fearsome. (8/5/08)
Sometimes, being a parent of a child with special needs shows you that the things you feared most are not so fearsome. (8/5/08)
The Crash Test Dummy Family
For a child with fetal alcohol syndrome, aggression is followed by emotional collapse. (8/5/08)
For a child with fetal alcohol syndrome, aggression is followed by emotional collapse. (8/5/08)
So Maybe I'm Doing Something Right.
From the blog You Get What You Get: A child makes a simple request. (8/4/08)
From the blog You Get What You Get: A child makes a simple request. (8/4/08)
Tensions: What is A Meltdown? (A ramble)
Is "meltdown" a demeaning word when used to describe the behavior of people with autism? (8/2/08)
Is "meltdown" a demeaning word when used to describe the behavior of people with autism? (8/2/08)
This Is My Normal
Parents of kids with sensory processing dysfunction learn to disregard the "helpful" suggestions of strangers. (8/2/08)
Parents of kids with sensory processing dysfunction learn to disregard the "helpful" suggestions of strangers. (8/2/08)
Demon Child
From the blog Don't Bite the Dog: Why it's not OK when people say "It's OK" when what your child's doing is not OK. (8/1/08)
From the blog Don't Bite the Dog: Why it's not OK when people say "It's OK" when what your child's doing is not OK. (8/1/08)
Summer Bounty
From the blog Only Casual Observations: "Sometimes I forget to be thankful for all that I have and just notice what's missing. When it irritates my husband and he complains about my ungratefulness, my answer is that you don't make a list of what you have in the fridge, just what's all gone or needs replacing." (7/31/08)
From the blog Only Casual Observations: "Sometimes I forget to be thankful for all that I have and just notice what's missing. When it irritates my husband and he complains about my ungratefulness, my answer is that you don't make a list of what you have in the fridge, just what's all gone or needs replacing." (7/31/08)
Fighting the Good Fight
A "very mellow, non-confrontational" mom takes on a school district. (7/31/08)
A "very mellow, non-confrontational" mom takes on a school district. (7/31/08)
The Boy Sitter
The mom of a boy with autism explains how she made him a weighted lap pad. (7/31/08)
The mom of a boy with autism explains how she made him a weighted lap pad. (7/31/08)
Dark and Light and Something Of Both
From Autism Vox: Is your life like Mamma Mia, The Dark Knight, or some of each? (7/28/08)
From Autism Vox: Is your life like Mamma Mia, The Dark Knight, or some of each? (7/28/08)
Not coping with his coping style
The blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs takes on an issue that lots of special-needs parents face: "My husband is big on 'mind over matter' type of thinking and that not thinking about something makes it go away. I call it denial." (7/26/08)
The blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs takes on an issue that lots of special-needs parents face: "My husband is big on 'mind over matter' type of thinking and that not thinking about something makes it go away. I call it denial." (7/26/08)
Summer Storytime at the Library
The mother of a boy with autism describes a positive experience -- and how she made it that way. (7/26/08)
The mother of a boy with autism describes a positive experience -- and how she made it that way. (7/26/08)
That One Thing You Hate
It's that utterance or activity your kid gets stuck to, that makes you come unglued. In our house, it's the way my son is still talking about flushing people down the toilet a year after we saw that blasted movie <i>Flushed Away.</i> (7/25/08)
It's that utterance or activity your kid gets stuck to, that makes you come unglued. In our house, it's the way my son is still talking about flushing people down the toilet a year after we saw that blasted movie <i>Flushed Away.</i> (7/25/08)
The Trouble With Birthday Parties
The good news: Your child is doing better at birthday parties. The bad news: Since you're not constantly needed, you have to chat with the other mommies. (7/25/08)
The good news: Your child is doing better at birthday parties. The bad news: Since you're not constantly needed, you have to chat with the other mommies. (7/25/08)
only casual observations: God and Santa
"It's sometimes difficult to get past the childish images we have of God, especially when something bad happens in life that we can't understand at all. I'm talking about the really big things that you just know you didn't deserve." (7/24/08)
"It's sometimes difficult to get past the childish images we have of God, especially when something bad happens in life that we can't understand at all. I'm talking about the really big things that you just know you didn't deserve." (7/24/08)
What We Talk About When We Talk About Poop
Putting potty problems in perspective. (7/23/08)
Putting potty problems in perspective. (7/23/08)
What do you want to be when you grow up?
From the Ouch blog, a look how the usual ways of choosing a career don't always work out when you're vision-impaired. (7/22/08)
From the Ouch blog, a look how the usual ways of choosing a career don't always work out when you're vision-impaired. (7/22/08)
Blogging About Our Children With Special Needs
The Adventures of Leelo and His Potty-Mouthed Mom has a preliminary round-up of a BlogHer panel on blogging about special-needs parenting. (7/21/08)
The Adventures of Leelo and His Potty-Mouthed Mom has a preliminary round-up of a BlogHer panel on blogging about special-needs parenting. (7/21/08)
Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: Big Box of Inappropriate
"Say what you will about the beauty of language and creating an appropriate and enriching environment for a child, but come on. An eight year old who can't say 'fart' or 'burp' or 'booger' is not a complete human." (7/20/08)
"Say what you will about the beauty of language and creating an appropriate and enriching environment for a child, but come on. An eight year old who can't say 'fart' or 'burp' or 'booger' is not a complete human." (7/20/08)
Don't Mess With This Texas Mom
The blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs has an interview with Candice O'Dell, who has two adopted daughters with special needs, including one with deafblindness. (7/20/08)
The blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs has an interview with Candice O'Dell, who has two adopted daughters with special needs, including one with deafblindness. (7/20/08)
Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: No Blue Fairy
I think this is what the beginnings of self-advocacy looks like in a kid: Finding a way to express an understanding of one's disability, and an opinion on the options it gives you. (7/8/08)
I think this is what the beginnings of self-advocacy looks like in a kid: Finding a way to express an understanding of one's disability, and an opinion on the options it gives you. (7/8/08)
Redeeming Elvis (A Vacation Story)
Sometimes, telling people your child has autism brings a heartwearming response. (7/18/08)
Sometimes, telling people your child has autism brings a heartwearming response. (7/18/08)
The Yearbook
Even in a world where confidentiality's important, there's value in knowing the names of your child's classmates. (7/18/08)
Even in a world where confidentiality's important, there's value in knowing the names of your child's classmates. (7/18/08)
Ashley Time
Good news: Yours is not the only family that tells time by children's medical crises. (7/17/08)
Good news: Yours is not the only family that tells time by children's medical crises. (7/17/08)
Intersection
The blog Reimer Reason comes to you from the corner of Down Syndrome Drive and Autism Avenue. (7/17/08)
The blog Reimer Reason comes to you from the corner of Down Syndrome Drive and Autism Avenue. (7/17/08)
Bump in the Night
We assume our kids will never remember those things that happened so long ago. Maybe not, according to a post on Only Casual Observations. (7/15/08)
We assume our kids will never remember those things that happened so long ago. Maybe not, according to a post on Only Casual Observations. (7/15/08)
Priorities and Responsibilities
This post from the blog You Get What You Get gave me a laugh this morning. We've all been there, have we not? (7/15/08)
This post from the blog You Get What You Get gave me a laugh this morning. We've all been there, have we not? (7/15/08)
Life With Joey: Back to School
Joey's mom describes the bittersweet transition of kids going back to school in the summer. (7/14/08)
Joey's mom describes the bittersweet transition of kids going back to school in the summer. (7/14/08)
About Simple Pleasures
"I tried to make him clean up the mess, but ended up finishing the job myself." If that sounds like the story of your summer, you'll appreciate this post from the blog Archie's Room. Also, if you love Mr. Rogers. (7/10/08)
"I tried to make him clean up the mess, but ended up finishing the job myself." If that sounds like the story of your summer, you'll appreciate this post from the blog Archie's Room. Also, if you love Mr. Rogers. (7/10/08)
The Bad Seed
This post from the blog Only Casual Observations reminds me of all the times my son has said something allegedly rude, and I've had to figure out what he really said and what TV show he's copying and how it applies to the situation. (7/8/08)
This post from the blog Only Casual Observations reminds me of all the times my son has said something allegedly rude, and I've had to figure out what he really said and what TV show he's copying and how it applies to the situation. (7/8/08)
Life With Joey: A thought on life
Why no one should be making judgments about who has a life worth living. (7/18/08)
Why no one should be making judgments about who has a life worth living. (7/18/08)