tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post8409399489455903560..comments2024-03-28T05:52:50.399-04:00Comments on Autism with a side of fries : I would love your problems as my own. Eileen Shaklee http://www.blogger.com/profile/04658354442888448425noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-68227835324150588502023-08-10T21:18:29.636-04:002023-08-10T21:18:29.636-04:00Why would you love other problems are your own? Th...Why would you love other problems are your own? That sounds masochistic.Anonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-89962502533175544282015-05-09T22:22:34.297-04:002015-05-09T22:22:34.297-04:00I so get this. Social media can be a pain, and ver...I so get this. Social media can be a pain, and very deceiving... we've been in your country for a week now, trying to 'do' Disney, and it just ain't working for our ASD girl. My photos may tell a different story as I've managed to snap the odd happy looking photo and of course they are the ones I post. But I so wish we could have that easy type of holiday that most others get, with the general tired whinges but still able to do things. I've sat in our villa all day today, with just a trip to Walmart and Target to hunt down vital and specific MLP supplies....whilst my other half and eldest got to go and enjoy themselves at a park. That sucks. But it was the best choice to make. Anyhow, waffling now, I hear ya and join you in the pity party :)Stephs Two Girlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09592292485187553690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-72741029538954732112015-02-11T10:50:28.255-05:002015-02-11T10:50:28.255-05:00Stacey-There are SO many online resources - I hope...Stacey-There are SO many online resources - I hope soon you won't feel so alone. Full Spectrum Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11460737436704927666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-69624217903399322472015-02-11T10:48:02.102-05:002015-02-11T10:48:02.102-05:00I know this is an old post but I have to chime in....I know this is an old post but I have to chime in. My six and a half year old only has sensory processing disorder (he has many autistic tendencies in speech and social but not enough to be on the spectrum) and speech issues (he was speech delayed, has articulation issues, possible Apraxia). His issues are not as severe as many kids, but he struggles a lot more than typical kids. I remember being both mad and upset when I would check into his birth board on BabyCenter and read of kids his age doing things our son wasn't. I finally had to leave because I was amking myself sick wondering what I was doing wrong, asking why my kid wasn't like others his age. Keep in mind that, while we knew at two that he wasn't on track, it wasn't until he was four that a doctor listened to us and he was diagnosed. I really though I was a crappy parent (I still do, actually). <br /><br />When our son was diagnosed, I posted on Facebook, a lot. I had a flood of support. I had some negative comments, sadly from longtime friends of mine, who think SPD is made up. I stopped posting about the struggles and started posting about the triumphs. The thing is, his triumphs are what many parents don't think about -- letting water touch his head without screaming and flailing about, using a public bathroom (he went nearly a year without using a public bathroom), getting in a bounce house (even just for a photo with his teacher from last year), not hiding under the table and crying when someone sings Happy Birthday, coloring in a whole line on his Rainbow [Sight] Words rainbow (which is a HUGE deal; last year he never colored a single word; this year he has 37 so far!), things like that. Most of my friends understand what a big deal it is and share our joy, which makes me feel not as alone.<br /><br />Speaking of alone, we cannot do birthday parties either. The parties we are invited to either involve bounce houses or water, two things my son loathes. We've tried to go some, but I leave in tears because of the stares from other parents due to my son wanting to go off and play alone (or with me) and not interact with other kids. We cannot drop him off. We cannot go to some social functions (either family or connected with friends from church) because the location would be bothersome to our son. I do get bitter about it, but never at our son.<br /><br />Sports? Not happening. Our son freezes up when people look at him. He willingly participated alone in one of ten events at Olympic Day last year at school -- running. He's a fast runner and was doing great ... until people started cheering him on. He stopped, started crying, and walked to the finish line. It broke my heart; he was upset the rest of the day. I'm glad he doesn't want to do sports, as I don't want to deal with the hassle that comes with it, but I do wish he could open up and realize that it's not so bad when people look at him and encourage him. :)Stacey Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14352989875183758588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-90614563021467286412015-01-08T19:11:52.078-05:002015-01-08T19:11:52.078-05:00I'm autistic, in two bands, in three honors cl...I'm autistic, in two bands, in three honors classes, capable of lifting heavy objects, and have As and Bs (that I want to raise to As). I'm sorry if the introduction sounded cocky, but this is what I do so I have a defining factor of who I am. I'm not top of the class, first chair, or the strongest, but I'm fine with that. There are many others who aren't and those who are aren't perfect. Do you see trills, gruppettos, or glissandos in trumpet music other than really avant-garde pieces? No. Do professional flutists have to have an extensive selection of mutes? No. Do pianists need to breathe to play their instrument? No. Do guitarists use bows on their instruments? No. Are they all musical instruments, regardless of playing method, size, or difficulty of music? Yes. To quote Plato or whoever this quote is attributed to, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-21704393452520334092014-08-15T00:03:24.842-04:002014-08-15T00:03:24.842-04:00I know your struggles are tremendous. My best frie...I know your struggles are tremendous. My best friend and next door neighbor has two children on the spectrum. We are close enough friends that she'll show up in pjs and we'll cry on the front steps. I've diapered, feed, read and carefully watched her kids stim as needed. I've listened to long lectures on all sorts of subjects and I know to keep a certain brand of nuggets in my freezer in case we need to feed their kids. Now I don't truly get it because I don't live it but I see with open eyes. <br /><br />But please remember some of those things that seem braggy are just what other families are doing to hold on. Yes I post about my sons sporting events regularly. However both have ADHD and sports keep our house from exploding. One has another LD and sports is what saves his self-esteem. So it may look like bragging but it's really just how we get by too. <br /><br />So I may bitch about driving from soccer to swimming, or hours and hours at a meet. But if my kids don't run themselves out of energy, the meltdowns and tantrums can be epic. I may bitch about homework b/c with my ADHD and LD kids it is so hard to do.<br /><br />I'm not saying my "hard" is your "hard" but can't we just all try to remember that everyone is battling something.<br /><br />Now that family on the second cruises? hide those people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-67334740027044591402014-03-05T09:08:05.231-05:002014-03-05T09:08:05.231-05:00HAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...HAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Tell it like it IS.Full Spectrum Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11460737436704927666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-91251130600230730602013-12-23T10:45:10.218-05:002013-12-23T10:45:10.218-05:00You know what? I think it's awful that you all...You know what? I think it's awful that you all jumped on her (I'm assuming it was a woman) like a bunch of wolves. Even if you feel like she can't possibly understand, your reactions were extreme and hurtful. Can't we all just support each other as parents? These people who are posting their first world problems - they may be keeping their hardest problems to themselves. I suffer from post-partum depression on top of regular depression, frequent anxiety attacks, chronic pain, etc. and my daughter has problems of her own, but I don't post that stuff on Facebook. And I don't fault anyone who does. But people who know me, except my very closest friends, have no idea what struggles I face on a daily basis. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13971161508229979236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-46094411967784608912013-04-10T13:20:55.048-04:002013-04-10T13:20:55.048-04:00Just remember, her life is not that great...that&#...Just remember, her life is not that great...that's the other side of Facebook - people get away with their embellishments and lies. Even if it was ALL true...I know *I* could find something wrong with her life - and you have something she doesn't - a super fantastic different viewpoint on life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-63851578211834353222013-04-08T19:27:21.662-04:002013-04-08T19:27:21.662-04:00I hear ya Karen! Perfect, well-balanced, accompli...I hear ya Karen! Perfect, well-balanced, accomplished?? Who needs it? :)Shanellhttp://www.goteamkate.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-89396881045249328682013-04-08T09:56:40.169-04:002013-04-08T09:56:40.169-04:00I can understand why it would hurt you to see othe...I can understand why it would hurt you to see others "problems" on your newsfeed. It makes me wonder if I ever complain about something my son does that others would wish to be their problem. Thanks for sharing such an insightful post. And a big fat boo for "Anonymous" above and his/her "special treatment" comment.Xiomara | Equis Placehttp://www.xiomaramaldonado.com/equis-place.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-88313154239413888082013-04-07T15:33:12.111-04:002013-04-07T15:33:12.111-04:00the photo part is sooo true. Thank you for sharing...the photo part is sooo true. Thank you for sharing. so 1000% true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-20367150953777410912013-04-06T20:51:19.040-04:002013-04-06T20:51:19.040-04:00Thank you so much for saying that. It's an im...Thank you so much for saying that. It's an important reminder to me that my son probably understands a whole lot more than I think. Just because he can't tell me what he's thinking doesn't mean he doesn't get it.Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18125285961811499455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-52933071701122731372013-04-06T16:08:09.081-04:002013-04-06T16:08:09.081-04:00Couldn't love this post more... I've been ...Couldn't love this post more... I've been sharing with everyone! Thank you :-)Lauren Eldridgehttp://www.laureneldridge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-57226346638522244562013-04-06T12:14:47.416-04:002013-04-06T12:14:47.416-04:00YES! I agree. I post the 'celebrations' ...YES! I agree. I post the 'celebrations' now. My 13 year old daughter with AS finally put her head back into a shampoo bowl and let my friend wash her hair and cut and style it at her shop (not after hours) but in peak time and she was a bit nervous, but she held it together. You better believe I posted that. Of course the ones who walk my walk celebrated too and cheered the loudest. The ones that don't walk our walk, but yet love me or my daughter cheered as well. And I'm sure there are plenty that didn't say a word who silently smiled, and probably a few who were thinking 'what the heck?' Don't care, that is my real life and I'm not going to cower or be ashamed just because somebody doesn't get it. Living out loud now has been very cathartic and has helped me reach a new level of acceptance for my sweet girl. Look, we ALL have celebrations, we ALL have disappointments, we all have dreams. Yes, have had to redefine those dreams a lot, but I still have them. Just because they are different, doesn't mean that they are less. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-23954659624850707202013-04-06T09:23:17.765-04:002013-04-06T09:23:17.765-04:00I just wrote a huge response and it got lost! Ugh...I just wrote a huge response and it got lost! Ugh! Anyways, I get it! No friends, no parties, can school you on Batman and geometry but doesn't know his phone number or what street he lives on. Social Media is a blessing and a curse. Our 16 month old baby girl died 2 years ago. Every time I see a "complete" family photo, I want to throw my computer across the room. When I see vacation photos I think what a nightmare it is to have my boy away from home, his anxiety level goes through the roof! I laughed out loud about the "climate controlled" situtations. Thanks for saying what I think!Amyhttp://www.lifeaccordingtojohnny.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-42308888725454881902013-04-06T00:05:31.650-04:002013-04-06T00:05:31.650-04:00"Your child will get special treatment just b..."Your child will get special treatment just because of an Autism diagnosis?" If, by "special" you mean bullied or ostracized. If by "special" you mean speech and OT and behavioral therapy 25 hours a week just to possibly have a chance at some kind of independent life someday. My 4 year old typical daughter can be very challenging, but when she's crying or whining, I know why. She can tell me when she's tired or sick or even just hungry. My son is almost six. He doesn't speak, isn't potty trained, and has very little concept of danger. We cannot travel, rarely go out to eat, and had to pull him from school because NO ONE could properly educate him. So don't talk to me about special treatment or support programs. Please.Wantapeanuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11993949583915924482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-39083850787777843262013-04-06T00:01:49.468-04:002013-04-06T00:01:49.468-04:00It doesn't even register with me when my frien...It doesn't even register with me when my friends with NT kids do any of this, it's the other ASD moms that make me feel the jealousy spikes. I am in awe over how many of them whisked their ASD kids off on long plane rides to fabulous tropical getaways during Spring Break and had the most perfect time ever. I could go on, but I won't. Harrumph. Ericahttp://www.laughingthroughtears.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-64800032306357469352013-04-05T21:58:33.368-04:002013-04-05T21:58:33.368-04:00OH.MY.GOODNESS. Just found you via Barnmaven'...OH.MY.GOODNESS. Just found you via Barnmaven's blog. I love you already, and not just because our blogs look alike. Wanna come over and have fries and adult beverages? Bring your Aut kid. I've got at least one, too!Glori B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02879149420445359645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-17650170822560004952013-04-05T21:55:45.866-04:002013-04-05T21:55:45.866-04:00Believe me when I say that you should post your st...Believe me when I say that you should post your struggles & your successes whether you think they are facebook worthy or not. I know someone with an autistic child & I love to hear about & celebrate whatever successes they have. Since I don't live nearby, facebookis how I get to keep up with the progress. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-22952778999509024792013-04-05T20:58:22.864-04:002013-04-05T20:58:22.864-04:00The "Show in newsfeed" FB option is the ...The "Show in newsfeed" FB option is the best...use it myself. I agree, don't be ashamed. We have to do what works best for our kids all the time. Nothing wrong with doing what works best for us every now and then. Imo, that is healthier than trying to force ourselves to be happy for them daily. Then we can genuinely do so the once in a while we run into them. Lol ;-) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-38372525545053133182013-04-05T20:22:34.105-04:002013-04-05T20:22:34.105-04:00Wow. Clearly we should be allowed at least one pi...Wow. Clearly we should be allowed at least one pity party every now and then. You bring the fries and I will bring the tequila!Sandyjoplinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11809530000249659182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-56585908511976376832013-04-05T19:47:07.827-04:002013-04-05T19:47:07.827-04:00Yes yes yes. I especially connected with the whole...Yes yes yes. I especially connected with the whole idea of "facilitating" any interactions with peers. We're on all the time, even when it looks like a casual encounter. I'm exhausted! I try hard not to compare my insides with others' outsides (especially on Facebook), but I think it's OK to acknowledge that this is HARD. Jennyhttp://givemeanap.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-21401876041003847972013-04-05T19:36:16.218-04:002013-04-05T19:36:16.218-04:00Dude, where did I write in there at all that the p...Dude, where did I write in there at all that the parents of NT children have it perfect. I did not. I even stated that parenting is hard, period. <br /><br />And pray tell, where are these "magical programs" that help with our kids? Are you referring to the thousands of dollars I spend out of pocket for therapies just so my son one day might write his own name without help? Carry one a simple conversation to tell someone his name and address? Be able to tie his own shoes? I haven't signed him up because they are babysitting. <br /><br />Oh his autism diagnosis is special treatment? You will find under the law he is entitled to a free and appropriate education. If a typical kid needed tutoring in a subject, would you deny them it because that becomes a "special treatment"? <br /><br />You "understand autism"? No sir or madam, you do not. Eileen Shaklee https://www.blogger.com/profile/04658354442888448425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644538309673050572.post-6442282647055338692013-04-05T19:28:40.567-04:002013-04-05T19:28:40.567-04:00What bothers me about the whole thing is that pare...What bothers me about the whole thing is that parents SIGN UP FOR THAT SHIT! I just read a post about how hard it was to drive her kids from gymnastics to church to karate to etc etc etc. <br /><br />If you hate it so much, why are you SIGNING UP FOR IT?! <br /><br />Also, do they have any idea how freaking lucky they are that it's even an option? What I wouldn't give.<br /><br />I've had to hide so many people. I get that everyone has issues and hard times. Autism parents definitely have the market cornered on trials. But gosh, at least they know that at some point they will stop running their kids places, they will stop having to wipe butts and be constantly on guard. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13398700660374680124noreply@blogger.com