Powerful Reasons for Raising Awareness

Several events have hammered home for me the need to raise awareness regarding Autism and special needs of our kids might have.

Booth from 2011 Walk now for Autism Speaks

• I have had staff of two different schools approach me and ask about resources for autism screening and resources. There seems to be a definite need for educators to recognize signs of Autism and resources to both offer referrals, as well as additional training for staff.
    
• When a big Autism story hits the news, family and friends look to me and ask if I've heard the latest. They want to know what I think, which is a great opportunity to discuss and raise awareness. Would be so much better if I knew more and therefor had better information to share.
     
• At least two of my child's pediatricians have questioned that he has Autism. This is in a big HMO. One of these pediatricians actually challenged his diagnosis from the CAD Clinic. A third pediatrician went to bat for us, requesting additional services to help our son. Most of these requests were denied - especially in the ABA area.
     
  
• I was asked to give a talk last year on Autism to a local volunteer organization and many of them had no idea of the impact it was already having on our community. They wanted to learn more and how they could help.
     
• There have been several heatbreaking news stories about families dealing with in despair who decided the best solution they had was to end their lives. The constant wear to one's energy, financial burdens, lack of resources, and social isolation can be deadly.
     
• People are starting to find their own answers that can both help mainstream individuals on the spectrum and provide them a way to live independent lives. Examples: The CATS Program, MyAutismTeam.com, Specialisterne, and programs like the Wonder League. This is the tip of the iceberg, my friends. We need more thinking  with this in mind; there can be success stories!
     
• Budgets again are being slashed for the front-line providers: Regional Centers and the public schools. This is bad in so many ways, I could make a short story out of the reasons why I know this is both short-sighted, false prioritizing, and wrong. The biggest reason being ...
     
• The numbers of our children being diagnosed with Autism keeps rising, with no end in sight. How can we halt or treat something we don't fully understand? The official CDC numbers are now 1: 88 children on the spectrum; 1: 54 for boys. In Utah, the numbers show 1: 47 children and 1: 33 for boys. Experts believe that the true numbers are closer to 1: 33 than 1:88. These children will be adults in about a decade. More generations of Autistic children will follow.
     
• Too many children are being diagnosed past the ideal diagnostic age of 18 months. If a child can be diagnosed and receiving services before age 3, their brains have a much better chance to develop and allow better communication and development overall. More parents need early detection information so they can act earlier.
    
• The problems of dealing with children on the Autism spectrum, integrating them into society, and helping them grow into independent, well-adjusted adults cannot be ignored. Knowledge is power and we as a community need more of it to get more information about Autism, and use it to help our children, the people who work with them, and help avoid Autism in future generations.

I love James for who he is. I accept that Autism is part of him. I do not love what Autism is putting us all through.

So yes, we will be walking on April 14th. And talking. And sharing. And hoping.

 Thank you to those who have helped us so far. It really means a lot to us!

Paging Dr. Mom ...

James had another awesome session at school yesterday with his favourite substitute aide. Unfortunately, he somehow picked up a ginormous wood sliver. That puppy was solidly embedded in his palm. As the school personnel are legally not allowed to remove slivers, James requested to self-medicate by using the iPad in the O/T room until pickup time (about 20 minutes), when Dr. Mom would be available for an afternoon appointment.

First I tried squeezing, without results. Then I tweezed of the fattest bit, closest to the opening. I had to go after the last bit with an Exacto blade, and that's when James objected (luckily, after the fact).  I was able to the extract that last devilish bit and slathered the wound with Neosporin.

Just call me Dr. Mom. I graduated by the seat of my pants from the school of Hard Knocks. I am working toward my degree in Autism by the Skin of Our Teeth.

"No Bandaids!!!"

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Slower

After the various storms of life these past few weeks, this last one was slower. Thank goodness!

We've got lots of blue:

We're getting ready for the 2012 Walk Now for Autism Speaks event in just over two weeks!

Because it's the best feeling in the world to see our kids grow, do more, and smile. We want to raise them to be as independent and free to pursue happiness as possible.

For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Different At the Dentist

I didn't tell James that he had a dental check-up this afternoon. That's because lately every time we've driven by the office on our way to the grocery store, he's become distressed and repeated "We're not going to the dentist!!!"

I am not sure where this came from. He started off with semi-calm visits, and then last summer he got freaked out.

It could be the noise from the drills and suction devices, except that we've been watching a Mr. Bean episode with a visit to the dentist and he's laughed at them then.

I blame the seat. He did get very anxious when he was lowered back and down last time. He was very unhappy about that bright light in his face too, despite the technician putting a cartoon on the ceiling screen (the things these kids get at the dentist these days; so not what I had, let me tell you).

The dentist, as usual, was awesome, talking soothingly with him and getting him to climb up finally on the dreaded seat. She then proceeded to do his checkup with a minimum of invasive  tools. I believe she used his new toothbrush, a mirror on a handle, and the room's regular lighting. I held James' hand while she gently scraped away a small area of plaque from his lower front teeth.

The good news is that his teeth look fine and he has no cavities!

I could feel him relaxing, and at the end I thought James would go for some fluoride treatment if I put some on my finger and then applied it to his teeth. This worked so well that the dentist then applied the foam fluoride treatment to his teeth with a toothbrush. Wow! This is great news and another big first -- James has never sat still and let us apply a fluoride treatment before.

This whole visit is a great example of why I love our dentist. James' loud noises and distress did not vex her. She was very calm and positive as she kept moving him forward through his visit. She was willing to try a different way to get him his checkup. And bonus: because so many clients are special needs children, I got the scoop on second grade teachers for next year!


Savouring a melon-y fresh victory in dental hygiene and maturity!

Magic Marker Monday: The Sneebra!

James brought home another gem from school today. Behold, the Sneebra!

This seems like a simple, yet whimsical assignment that can bring forth a lot of imagination and make writing fun. James' teacher said that he came up with the ideas and did all the spelling on his own, but needed prompting to finish his sentences.

"A sneebra livs in the dessrt. It likes to et lez (eat leaves) and grass. The sneebra hids behind trees."


It looks like animal drawings were cut in two. The kids then coloured them, pasted the bits together, and wrote about their new creature.

I am thinking the Sneebra might like some company!


For more great masterpieces or to share some of your own, visit
5 Minutes for Special Needs for more Magic Marker Monday.

                               
 

Free Apps for World Autism Awareness Day!

Today, April 2, is World Autism Awareness Day. If you suddenly see a lot of blue lights, it's not K-Mart having a special, it's people trying to spread awareness through the Light It Up Blue program.

I received an exciting email from Dr. Lorna Catford, Director of the CATS Program, notifying the families that today only there are free or reduced app downloads available from the iTunes App Store that are pertinent to the autism community.

In the spirit of raising awareness, I am sharing this information while I download these apps. Please spread the word and help us find resources answers for our loved ones on the autism spectrum!

If you are interested in finding out more about Autism, check the links at the top right of this column (Titled "James Likes"). Read my recent post: "Autism Numbers Up: Why You Should Care."  Please consider making a donation to our team for the Autism Speaks walkathon.

Thank you!

Free Apps for the iPad on April 2, 2012 (partial list):
(visit the Technology in Special Education website for more info and links)

• Autism Track
• Toca Store
• I See-quence
• Memory Game: Addition
• ABA Receptive Identification (2 apps)

Free Apps for the iPhone (partial list):
(visit the Technology in Special Education website for more info and links)

• 5 little monkeys (iPhone only; iPad is $1.99)

April Foolin'

James' Big Sister and I were playing little April Fool's jokes on each other:

Me:  "Time to get ready for school ... April Fool's!"
She: "Mommy, guess what? I am going to eat only vegetables today. April Fool's!"

... etc. We were having fun.

Then ...

James: "Mommy, I am 8 years old!" and that *look* of happy expectation.
After getting over the shock, I prompted him by saying, "Good one, James! Now you say 'April Fool's!' "

James: "April Foooooool!"

Such a little thing. Such a big step. So proud of him!