Archive » 2008 » December

The Autism Reform Act of 2009

Written in 30-12-2008 by Melody | No Comments

Ladies and Gentlemen readers,

I ask today that you all take the time to read this act ( http://www.change.org/ideas/view/accept_and_sign_the_autism_reform_act_of_2009 ). There are many wholes in this proposed legislation, but there are some key elements that we as parents really need to look at. We have the ability to help make changes since we are in unique position.

“10.) Insurance companies must make available all resources for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders including but not limited to any items deemed necessary by the  physician for the treatment of metal toxicities and any other therapeutic orders their physician may order.”

This is point is a double edged knife. I wholely disagree with allowing chelation, but that is for everyone else to decide. The part that’s quite wonderful is that now we can comfortably get diagnosed with Asperger’s ourselves and have the option of receiving therapy for it. I know there are some who chose not to get diagnosed because some insurance companies will deny them therapies.

“12.) This Reform Act must be ‘open’ for additions as needed and create a 12 parent panel to propose such additions.”

I hate this portion and love this portion at the same time. I would hope that someone like ourselves would be able to get on the panel. But I do think it’s imparative that we push that not only parents sit on the panel but others with Autism Spectrum Disorders. While our voices as parents can  help, our voices as people with ASDs can do even more good.

Please take the time to write to these people. Make your voices heard.

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Link backs and WPMU

Written in 27-12-2008 by Melody | No Comments

Are link backs acceptable forms of getting the word out about this website? I’ve been pondering this since I got this site integrated. I have such problems with knowing what’s socially acceptable, as many of us do. So I question if this is seen more as spam, or would it be seen as an invite.

As well, I’m wondering if I should go ahead and upgrade to WPMU (multi-user) or BuddyPress. I had hoped this would be a place for all AS parents would come to blog.

I have decided to do both of these. The WPMU will not disrupt the normal flow of the website. I will not go live with WPMU until I have all seams ironed out.* I am also going to go ahead with the linkbacks.

This post is more to make you all aware of the changes. As well, I want to apologize to any of you that come to this site from a link back and feel it was spam. I assure you, I had the best intentions in mind.

*After carefully looking at WPMU, I don’t think it’s a viable option for this website right now. I am looking at other options to allow multiple users to have blogs on this website. Both with the option to post news to the main page, or for your own personal blog.

Geekdom

Written in 21-12-2008 by Melody | No Comments

Whether you are a geek or not, you cannot deny that many Aspies are geeks. This post goes to show my geekness that I like to thinks comes from Geekdom. I am posting from my Blackberry with a lovely application called BB Meta Blog.

While we are all aware, technology is in the mainstream. We can definitely say it comes out of Geekdom. I think as AS parents we should embrace this and use it to bridge the gap between ourselves, our children and our societies. Obviously, I have created this site, and there are many others like it in different forms.

How can you use technology with your children? I highly recommend getting Picture Planner when it becomes available. In it’s beta, which I’m testing, there are some minor usage problems, but over all it’s a good program. It takes a typical planner program and standard PECS and combines it.

I also chose to use technology to bridge the gap between myself and society at large. I stay in touch with parents with ASD kids, teachers, professionals all through email. I don’t do phones, and I much rather have time to concentrate on my thoughts.

So many other ways to use technology, but I will end it here. Good night and have a Merry Christmas.

The Aspie/Autie Family

Written in 15-12-2008 by Melody | No Comments

Are Aspie/Autie families on the rise? It’s a current fascination of mine. Obviously, to me, having made this site, I do believe there are enough of us out there. Even the other day, two Aspie’s from a prominent ASD forum made us aware of their new bundle of joy. Just the search of “Aspie Family” brings up hits. While there are only a few that are relevant, it does have me thinking.

As our means of communication changes, does that mean we are able to meet and reproduce? Now, I know, many Aspies and HF Auties have gone on to get married and have kids. But does the internet give rise to those of us who may not have been so lucky? My husband (ADHD) and I met in a video game. These other two Aspies, I believe, met on the aforementioned message board.

With this focus away from brawn and beauty, (though, I doubt any of us would say our spouse isn’t pleasing to look at) towards brain and connection, are we setting ourselves up to adapt and procreate?

I happen to enjoy my Aspie/Autie family. While we do like “together time,” we don’t need to actively participate together to feel connected. Such as now, I’m on my computer, the husband is playing Final Fantasy, and our kiddos are in bed, presumably asleep. Even if they were awake, we may all be doing separate things, but together.

This does not mean we don’t have that personal participation together. Earlier tonight we put ornaments on the Christmas tree. Other times, we may sit and cuddle very closely (as none of us like light touch) to watch TV. We don’t even participate in much “chit chat.” Only when we need to get something out do we tend to converse a whole lot.

Well, except for S, he chatters all the time. It’s a constant bombardment of dialog about what he’s doing, if he can do it, and what he wants to do it. I’ve gotten to where I can tune it out, but my husband isn’t quite so lucky. That’s a totally different topic though. So I will leave you with the question posed. Are Aspie/Autie families on the rise? (See poll.)

Love. Perversate. Obsess.

Written in 7-12-2008 by Melody | No Comments

Again, taking a page from my personal life. I have, often in life, questioned what it means to “love.” I think it’s very possible to love someone and be on “the spectrum.” I think we all can find a love, whether an object, a person or a ______. And most likely, we will all find at least one love in our life time.

But this week, my husband and I have been talking, and I have been thinking. I doubted whether I loved him, or anyone. I doubted whether or not I knew what love is. But tonight I came to a revelation. I DO love him, though, not in the way I think love should be felt.

I have several “loves.” I happen to really love math. and art. and music. and weather patterns. and movies. and programming. You get the point. Where I seem to have the problem is not that I don’t love the people around me, but that I don’t perversate or obsess over them.

I have in the past had relationships that I did perversate over the person and am quite happy that is not the case with my husband. So when we say we don’t know how to love, I think I, at least, and perhaps even you, should rephrase. I do love others, I just don’t understand that love as well as my obsessions.