Archive » 2008 » November

Happy Thanksgiving!

Written in 27-11-2008 by Melody | No Comments

I’d like to say Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers. For those that don’t have Thanksgiving, I’d still like to extend to you an invitation to celebrate it. Thanksgiving, I feel, is a very energizing day. It is a day to Give Thanks for all we have. This is something I feel should not be left only to this holiday.

My thoughts for today could and should extend to our normal lives. In some families, they celebrate by everyone around the table saying what they are thankful for. I have to say, I never understood or liked this tradition. Mainly because everyone always tried to outdo the person before them.

Instead, I’d like others to try this. Come up with how they can be thankful for you. I feel as an Aspie, sometimes, I don’t give myself enough credit. I have been told this by those around me. Now, I’m not saying to be selfish and not tell those you love that you’re thankful for them. But it is a good time and sit back to realize what good you have to offer others.

Happy Thanksgiving. My hope is that you are thankful for me and this website.

Updated — again

Written in 25-11-2008 by Melody | No Comments

As you can all well see I have updated again. I’ve been trying to get a flawless integration that is easy on everyone’s eyes. The board is not quite 100% up to function as you will note when you visit it. I should have that done by tonight. But there should not be any problems registering and logging in from this point. If you do happen to find a bug, let me know as soon as possible.

Let me know of anything you’d like to see added. While it may take a little bit to accomplish, I do want to try to have as much functionality as is possible. Thank you!

“Don’t compare your child to others.”

Written in 21-11-2008 by Melody | One Comment

I wonder, how many of us have been told this?

“Don’t worry about your son, he’s just going at his own pace.”

“He’ll catch up. Boys are just slower than girls.”

“She marches to the beat of her own drum.”

I know I was about both my boys. Turns out all the nay-sayers were right, but in a totally different way, both my boys have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. But that’s not what we’re going to be discussing here today.

My husband and I received some wonderful news. Great news, in fact. Our little boy, S (3), and I are going to be touring typical preschools. This after only half a year in a Special Education, self-contained classroom. By all means, this is means for celebration.

The celebration was bittersweet, though. You see, as I’ve said before, I don’t just have one son; I have two. My D (4) is not quite so lucky. Now, I know I’m not supposed to compare the boys to others, I got over doing that long ago. But it’s not quite so easy to do it when the “other” is his younger brother.

So what can we do? My husband’s fear is that he will unintentionally favor S just because he’s advanced further. It’s normal. It’s like with Grandparents. Sometimes they enjoy the ones they can hold more, or play catch with, or take to a football game. When you can have a conversation with one child, but not the other, and you’re their parent, it’s much more difficult to come to terms with that fact.

I on the other hand fear I will push S aside. That I will start to focus more attention to D because he needs the help. I’m resigned to the truth though. S doesn’t need more help; he needs different help. D, we help to speak more clearly, in 3-4 word sentences. S, we help give and take in conversation.

So what do I suggest for anyone who is struggling with this same dilemma?

1. Know you are human. Yes, you’re going to make mistakes, but guilting yourself into making one isn’t going to do you any good. Keep in mind your fears, but work through them.

2. Keep a list. I try to keep a list in my head of things both my children need help on. Things that they both can work on together as well as the ones that need more one on one attention. If you can keep the list mentally, fine. If not, there’s no harm writing it down.

3. “Count your blessings. Name them one by one.” I’m not sure how many of you have grown up in a church. I did off and on through my life. But the song quoted here is so true. Be thankful and celebrate that your child is succeeding in what (s)he’s doing.

(BTW, Congratulations my dear, S. You have made me one proud mommy.)

Site Updated

Written in 9-11-2008 by Melody | No Comments

As I’m sure you’re all quite aware of, ASParenting website has been updated. Along with the new theme, now whenever you register for the bulletin board, you are also creating your own blog account.

Once you’re registered, you can change the way the interface looks for you.

Done:
Create more accessible link for bulletin board

To do:
Edit board to work with blog
Integrate changing board theme and blog theme in 1-click
Add Links to status bar
Make blog log-out link work

Going Past the Election

Written in 3-11-2008 by Melody | No Comments

For those of us in the US, tomorrow is election day. Whether you’re voting or not, and no matter who you’re voting for, we are going to have representatives in office. Following the election, it is very important to speak with your local state and federal senators and representatives.

On the Federal level, Autism Speaks is pushing for legislation called Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act or EPIAA. While Autism Speaks is often thought of as an oppositional voice to adults with Autism, I feel this bill has great potential for ourselves and generations that will come after us.

The following is a summary from Autism Speaks’ Autism Votes website (http://www.autismvotes.org/):

  • The creation of a task force (with not less than 1/3 autism community membership) to report to Congress and the Executive Branch on the state of evidence-based biomedical and behavioral treatments and services for both children and adults with autism, including identifying gaps in applied research on such treatments, interventions and services.
  • Demonstration grants for the coverage of treatments, interventions and services ($20 million annually).
  • Planning and demonstration grants for services for adults with autism ($20 million annually).
  • Grants for the expansion of access to immediate post-diagnosis care ($10 million in Fiscal Year 2009, growing to $20 million by Fiscal Year 2012).
  • National training grants for the University Centers of Excellence for Developmental Disabilities for training, technical assistance and additional services for individuals with autism and their families ($13.4 million annually).
  • A Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on service provision and financing.
  • Grants to protection and advocacy systems to better meet the needs of families facing autism and other developmental disabilities, including legal representation ($6 million annually).

While these listing points are not perfect, I believe it’s a good start. Specifically, I feel the 1/3 “autism community” in the task force should comprise predominately of adults with autism. The easiest and best way to be heard is to actually talk to those people who are responsible for our nation.

Happy Voting or Non-Voting!