Thrive As You

EEEEEEK, I haven't posted since Christmas.  Ouch. Today I sent out this email to my autism support group members and realized it kinda sounded a little like a blog post. Go figure.   So here goes. No one asked for my two cents.  They usually don't but they get it anyway.  So here goes. Today is World Autism Awareness Day.  That's awesome, but for us, every day is "autism awareness day."  What *IS* important about the UN recognizing autism as a "world" day is that it "shines a light" (pun intended) on autism.   I'm sure you've all read the CDC report by now that the rate of autism is at 1 in 88.  The scariest part of that report is that it was based on data from 2008.   And yet EVERY SINGLE DAY I get asked "What is autism?" Is fundraising important?  Yes. Is research important?  Yes. Is finding solutions important?  Yes. Is finding answers important?  Yes.  Is providing help, support, and services ...

I always feel like I should blog more.  I have TONS to say.  Anyone who knows me for 5 minutes knows that.  But time... time.... time.....  and then I get to the point where it's like the words are itching me under my skin just dying to get out and so, I make the time. It makes ME feel better.   Less itchy anyway. So this summer was absolutely wild.  And because I live in the south, our summer has been over for nearly a month now.  And not only did my boys go back to school, but I did too.  Sort of.  I mean I don't want to confuse anyone because after all I've said oh, about a million times, that I'm going to go back to school.  But there's that whole "time" thing again.  You see I have one and ONLY one regret in my life.  That I didn't become a teacher.  I know I still can.  And I will.  But in the meantime............ In order to make more time in between being a mommy, a cleaning lady, a chauffer, a craf...

What the heck do I know about writing a book review?  Absolutely nothing. So here goes. Today I'll be discussing the book, House Rules by Jodi Picoult .  Admitedly, I'm the last to get on the Jodi Picoult bandwagon.  And I'd like to share with you how I got on.  I was browsing the book section at my favorite literary boutique, Costco , picked up this book, flipped it over, saw the word, " Aspergers " and put it in my cart.  Period. Those of you with children on the spectrum may be where I found myself.  When my son was diagnosed I started reading.  Everything and anything I could get my hands on.  Either in the physical sense or the virtual sense.  Books, internet, magazines, medical journals, you name it.  I read it.  And after awhile my eyes began to cross and my head began spin and my heart began to hurt and my blood pressure started to rise. And so I stopped.  For about 2 years. So I bought this book and it sat...

I can't believe it. I moved my blog. I mean... who DOES that? I guess me. And here's why. I was discussing in my last post that sometimes it's hard for me to write. And I realized after much thought (really this has been swirling around in my brain for months) that while I have A LOT to say about autism... it's not ALL I have to say. And yet I find that when the title of my blog is, "April walks with autism," well then by golly, I better be talking about autism. And make NO MISTAKE. I will never, EVER stop talking about autism. But for those of you who have met me... you know I have so much more to say. So here starts a new relationship with my blog. One in which I will.... open some new doors. It was easy for me to figure out the new name of my blog. Let me give you a tiny bit of background. Earlier this year, I reluctantly joined the Eat, Pray, Love craze. I say reluctantly because I picked up the book several times throughout the course of a y...

I'll admit, most of my life I've been somewhat of an entertainment junkie. And by somewhat, I mean........ totally. But in recent years, my priorities have shifted quite a bit and I can't even remember the last year I watched the Emmy's. I mean, who has time to WATCH television let alone watch a show that celebrates the accomplishments of said media? Not me. But not this year. Oh no. I was GLUED. How many years in the past have we all watched the "documentary of the moment" walk on stage and scoop up their prizes? In years past we've seen made for TV movies ranging from war to depression to religion to politics to disease and everything in between. And it's been great. I'm really happy for all of the winners (hits FF button on the DVR remote). But this year, I cared. A lot. Because this year, I was up for an Emmy. Luke was up for an Emmy. Anyone who has been touched by autism (and there's a lot of us) was up for an Emmy. It was OUR...

Every single day of my life people ask me what autism is. And that shocks me. 1 in 110 kids in the United States alone are being diagnosed with autism. If you don't know what it means...hang on to your hat. Because autism is about to become "the new norm." Whatever "the norm" means. Here's what our friends at Wikipedia have to say about it. "Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication , and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. [ 1 ] Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. [ 2 ] The two other autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are Asperger syndrome , which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and PDD-NOS , diagnosed when full criteria for the other two disorders are not met ." Autism Society...

Last week I had the privilege and honor of attending a conference hosted by one Dr. Temple Grandin. One word: Wow. Once again, I thought I knew all there was to know about autism. I thought I had read it all, heard it all, seen it all. Nope. Not even close. Dr. Grandin said A LOT of really amazing things. The fascinating part about listening to her is that she speaks not only as a PhD, but as an autistic person herself...........what an absolute GIFT it is to get the REAL perspective from her not just from a "clinical" perspective, but from a "real" perspective. As the talks, it's almost hard to listen and focus because you are so in awe of all this woman has accomplished. Temple said something that just keeps haunting me. My friend Michelle and I looked at the slide and then looked at each other.........not saying a word but just sharing that, "Holy $hit," moment. "Fear is the main emotion of autism." What? I thought it was frustrat...

I've read about Temple. I've even read a few things written by Temple. But somehow, watching the movie.............the visual representation of what Temple, or a person like Temple (autistic) lives through........... changed. my. life. I thought I had this thing knocked. Not a chance. HBO , I commend you. Thank you for airing a major television event on the topic of autism. Mick Jackson (director), I commend you. Your vision, Temple's vision...the way you brought it to life, the way you brought it home -- without words. Claire Daines , I cannot wait to watch you win your emmy, although it will not even begin to give you the accolades you deserve. For you this may have been "just a role," or perhaps even "just a paycheck," but........what you showed us.........was nothing short of a miracle. I cannot stop thinking about this movie. There's a scene where Temple first walks into her new bedroom and the camera zooms in on the ceiling fan, then b...

I just stumbled upon this fabulous blog. My friend Tammy is a photographer and member of a camera club here in TN. A few weeks ago, a new book was featured.... about autism. (Really?) So she told me about it. And I googled it and not only found the book, which can be found here but also the author/creator/brainchild of the book here . Her name is Leisa Hammett and she's an autism mom like me, but I'm guessing she's a little higher on the autism food chain because a) her book is published and b) she got a "press copy" of the Temple Grandin movie! Below is an excerpt from Leisa's blog, but I strongly invite you to go visit it for yourself. http://www.leisahammett.typepad.com/ Leisa's Review of the Temple Grandin movie Whenever autism is portrayed in the popular media, seasoned parent advocates become leery, skeptical. After 13 years on the journey, I've learned repeatedly that in the end, It's All Good. No matter how inaccurate, offens...