We've had some good language today and less stuttering, maybe the stuttering is a good sign that he's on the onset of a breakthrough. But, you guys know they seem to process and then regress. Trying not to get my hopes up too much.

My daugther is in Romania on a mission trip and can not be reached due to the fact that there's no cell coverage there. Pray for her safety for me if you will.

My 72 year old Pop is in the hospital and not doing well. He had to be put on a respirator and now he's got a fever. I spent most of last week at the hospital with Mom and other family members. His little sister and nephew drove up from Georgia. They drove back on Monday. I can't concentrate and I constantly want to call my Mom or one of my brothers. I live about 45 mins. away and I rely on my bros. to keep me informed. They live in the same town. If you can, say a little prayer for him. I appreciate just knowing that I can tell this to alot of caring people. If you don't hear from me I am probably back and forth to the hospital. Thanks.

Hi all, I live in North Orange County about 15 minutes north of Disneyland and about 5 miles from the epicenter of today's earthquake. I was working on my upcoming autism awareness presentation when the room started shaking and jolting. I got up to go to our doorway where we are supposed to go during quakes and could hear stuff all over the house crashing down. After less than a minute (LONG ENOUGH!) I checked out the house. Although we had shelves and cabinets fall over and things fly all over the house, I only lost a few minor items to breakage. Considering how big the jolts were (and now we are experiencing aftershocks), we did pretty well. I can't find my cat. She is hiding somewhere. My hubby is at work and they are safe. My daughter is at the beach with her church group so I can only hope they are fine since there is nothing too dangerous there to fall and it wasn't close to the epicenter. Anyway, I was checking in here to re-read a post by Shannon and wanted to let you know that your fellow Southern Californians should be okay...but you may want to check on them just to make sure. I checked on my senior citizen neighbors and they were "shaken" but fine. (no pun intended!) We do get used to them here, but we also kind of get lackadaisical (?) about them when they don't occur often. Joanna

Seoc did great today at swim class. He even let me dunk him a little and giggled after. He still doesn't get the holding the breath concept so occassionally chokes on some water but recovers nicely. Thurs. is the last group class then I am going to sign up for private lessons.

Been working on making a sensory room in the house for my son. It has a ball pit and a pinto bean sandbox, I must be crazy. 70.00's worth of balls, 35.00's for the huge bag of pinto I got. Ordered swings to hang in my doorways for rainy days, so he could get movement during his sound therapy. My son's been having more absent seizures (staring spell where he stops everything for around 4 seconds) and he's stuttering now (talking loudly and going up in pitch) People are starting to stare more--that's their problem, right?? I read on the internet that developmentally children stutter between 2 and 5 developmentally. My son's 7 but cognitively between 2 and 5. Poor thing, he's trying so hard to talk and has so many obstacles in his way with his processing disorder. He's repeating the same sentence a lot now also. Sounds to me as if he's trying so hard. So worrisome.The number one thing they recommend for processing is these sound therapies and we do that everyday and are starting a new one in August. A book was recommended to me on how to teach a down syndrome child to read and a special ed. teacher told me research was done that it had been effective with children with other disorders besides downs. So many thoughts in my mind. Someone also recommended a book for us called the Brain Gym. I feel there's a gym in my brain nowadays, Bet ya do too. Please pray for me as I do for you guys nightly. This is such an uphill climb. It's getting harder to go to service stations and pump gas with him refusing to move, freezing in place because of loud noises, covering his ears, starting to scream, wanting to be picked up. I can't pick him up anymore with my disk issue.

Today i had part 2 of one of my worsest todays ever I just hope i get out of this mess that I'm in and no one around here doesn't care about me and i miss being around people who do PS i know i misspelled the word after my so sorry =(

I been a last FM member since june 05 2007 and i been scrobbing my music i listen to on to my user page on there which shows which songs i played . I like last fm you can share your music with everyone i listen to video game music , anime music , j pop , and mainstream i have a huge collection of these music and its fun to listen to my music

Ansley started with a DAN Dr in Macon this week...I already love the Dr. Wow! we got a hug that's never happened with the other's they just booted us out and we were a number not here...It has been a week of trials because now Ansley has been throwing fits and crying a lot but, it is common place reference the yeast die off...I am hopeful again after 8 years....I can say after meeting Nan cale and all the wonderful girls with TACA it has forever changed our lifes...My daughter for the first time is sleeping all night...potty trained in a few weeks from getting back from the Autism One Conference in Chicago...thanks too pro-biotics and enzymes and changing to the SCD (Specific Carb Diet) and the Gluten Casein Free which, before the GFCF only worked a little then I mainly went organic...and I am here to say I have seen major improvements...So the DR...that told me my kid needed to stop eating Mickey D's, stop holding it does not know what he is talking about and he also told me that she could be on laxatives for 15 years....Well guess what Doc she goes every day now!

HERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS!!! Five Emmy nominations for ‘Autism: The Musical’ July 17th, 2008 From the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences: ‘Autism: The Musical’ has been nominated for Emmys in five categories: Outstanding nonfiction special; outstanding directing for nonfiction programming; outstanding cinematography for nonfiction programming; outstanding picture editing for nonfiction programming; and outstanding sound editing for nonfiction programming (single or multi-camera).

Do we need some sort of special-needs version of The Baby Borrowers? By Terri Mauro, That NBC "reality" show (based on one from the BBC) apparently gives teens a taste of parenting to discourage them from getting pregnant before they're fit for the job. I'm more worried about the fitness of the parents who are loaning their kids out, but I guess you take free babysitting services where you can get them. The concept, though, makes me think of all those folks who've recently criticized the way parents of children with special needs take care of their young-uns, kicking them out of restaurants, planes and churches and ripping them on the radio for exerting insufficient behavioral control. Perhaps some of these skeptics would benefit from spending some actual time in charge a child with special needs. Maybe they'd see that it's not really as easy as applying boot to backside. Maybe they'd develop some compassion for our children, and for those of us who devote our lives to them. Actually, you probably have better odds of getting teenagers to stop having sex than for that to happen. But one can hope. You'd have to make sure that the daily schedule was set up for maximum disruptiveness. A church service, followed by lunch at a place with slow waitresses, some travel with lots of suitcases and no help, then a long wait at a doctor's office. It can be like an obstacle course. It would make Survivor look like a day at the beach. No need to restrict it to developmental disabilities, either. There are people who don't believe that things like ADHD or food allergies or Bipolar disorder exist. Perhaps some direct experience with hyperactivity or anaphylactic shock or cycling would be informative, for them and for the television audience. There are problems with the idea, though. We all know how perverse our kids can be, behaving perfectly just when we most wanted to show somebody how they misbehave. Disrupted routine, inexperienced handlers, and all the lights camera action! should be enough to precipitate problems, but just our luck they'd save up all the bad stuff 'til they were back home. Then, too, if we're looking for compassion and acceptance, showing our children at their absolute parent-bewildering worst isn't going to help much, either -- just make folks afraid to include them and angry about supporting them and determined to find genetic tricks to make sure they're never born. You can't make much of a case for proper handling and accommodations when you have reality-TV-volunteer bozos doing the handling and accommodating. And that's the thing that dooms the idea the most, of course -- who among us would dare entrust our children to the inexperienced and the prejudiced? As much as that's a questionable idea for a newborn, it could be a disaster for a child with special needs. If you rarely go out because you can't trust anyone to babysit, you know what I mean. Maybe there are folks who are desperate enough for respite that they'd consider it, though. And surely there should be no shortage of know-it-alls who are sure they could do better. Why, the producers probably wouldn't have to go far beyond our own extended families to find willing volunteers. If not, that Michael Savage seems like the kinda guy who'd do anything for publicity.

You can't let Michael Savage’s comments affect you in this way. Unfortunately for Mr. Savage his ignorance is only matched by his stupidity. He is a genuinely vicious man that fights his battles from behind a microphone. We parents, and our children, fight this battle not only against all of the Mike Savages in this world (even the ones that share his view but don't have a podium from which to pontificate), but we also fight the school districts. Though some of the school districts (teachers and administrators) mean well, the educators themselves are poorly trained and are dealing with an ever increasing number of children in the system and budgets are all ready woefully thin. We fight the traditional medical community, who tell us that vaccines are safe. Doctors warn us not to try therapies that have not had placebo controlled, double blind studies. We fight our neighbors who don’t understand why our kids are vocalizing LOUDLY. We fight the person in line behind us in the grocery store, trying to understand why our child decided to have a meltdown just as we got to the register. For us this battle never ends. Michael Savage is merely a convenient distraction from the real problem. Why aren't we looking harder at finding (or confirming what we parents all ready know) the cause. It magnifies the battle we face as families affected by ASD every day. That unless, and until, it personally affects you, you will never understand. Autism Speaks could spend a billion dollars a year in PSA's, it only means something when it affects you personally. It is up to us to do the research and stop this from happening to another family. Share with each other the therapies and remedies that have worked. Remember, it’s not just about Autism either; it’s about Asthma, ADD, Parkinson’s . . . Autism is a lock. If you know the combination then you can unlock your child. Sometimes we know the numbers to the combination; we just don’t know what order to put them in. Sometimes we only know a couple of the numbers, and we still don’t know what the order is. Unfortunately, the combination for Preston, is different than the combination for Paul, Michael, Jared, Susan . . . Some may have numbers in the combination in common. But as parents, we all know how uniquely affected our children are. If you see one Autistic Child, you see ONE Autistic child.

Fire Savage: Two Demos Sunday in SF and NYC More Info There will be two demonstrations this Sunday calling for the firing of Michael Savage and for his sponsors to stop supporting his program. On his July 16th program Savage said, "I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, 'Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot." When asked to explain his comments Savage claimed that his comments were taken out of context, and asserted that his critics were "Stalinists," and has gone on to suggest there is no autism epidemic and that bad parenting is a cause of autism. Enough is enough. It is time for Savage to find a new job, and for his advertisers to put their money somewhere else. Two demonstrations will be held this Sunday: In San Francisco demonstrate in front of the KNEW studio where Savage broadcasts: 12 noon 340 Townsend Street In New York City: City Hall, Broadway and the Brooklyn Bridge, 12:30 pm Bring friends, neighbors, family, kids, signs. Send this message to everyone. If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.

Advocates from Autism United gathered in lower Manhattan Friday to announce a host of advertisers have pulled out of nationally syndicated radio talk show host Michael Savage's show, carried here on WOR-AM. It was little more than a week ago that Savage, who has more than 8 million listeners nationwide, called autism "a fraud, a racket" -- adding that it was a ploy to hide the fact that most kids are brats.......... read more at: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nysava0726,0,3274609.story

A Statement from Wendy Fournier, NAA President For the last week, our community has been completely enveloped in the Michael Savage controversy. It infuriates me that this one man has managed to take away so much of our already limited time and energy by forcing us to defend ourselves and our beloved children against his vile remarks. When I first became aware of Savage’s comments, I immediately got in touch with Mark Masters, the CEO of Talk Radio Network and Savage’s boss. Mark was aware of the comments but had not yet listened to the show. We spoke for a long while and I quickly came to realize that I was speaking to a kind and compassionate husband and father. Mark said that while he hadn’t yet heard the tape, he suspected that Savage was talking about one of the issues that bothers him most, the over-diagnosing and drugging of children in America, and that it was possible that his remarks were being taken out of context. Having dealt with the media and having seen the ridiculous way members of our own community have been edited to look like crazy, desperate parents, I was open to the idea that Mark’s suggestion may have been a possibility. Mark promised to speak with Savage and to give us the opportunity to refute his comments on the air. On Monday evening, Mark fulfilled his promise and I was able to speak with Savage on his show. Leaving the door open to the chance that he was indeed taken out of context, I pushed my anger toward him aside and discussed with him many of his views about healthcare in America and the sad reality that families affected by autism face. Savage has several problems with the medical community in general that I personally agree with, the most frustrating of which is the over-zealous desire to drug our children. However, when it came to Savage’s views on Autism specifically, he was completely misinformed and off the mark. He believes that autism is being over-diagnosed. There may be a relatively small number of children who are wrongly diagnosed with an ASD, but for the most part, an autism diagnosis is not something that is given lightly. Those of us whose children have been through the evaluation process know that it is extensive. On the subject of diagnosis, our kids are diagnosed based on observation of skills and behaviors. All the while, the medical community completely fails to investigate what might be causing those behaviors. This needs to change. We need research to turn away from number-crunching epidemiological studies and the search for the elusive Autism gene, and start looking from a biological standpoint at the children who are currently affected. Your child may very well meet the current diagnostic criteria for Autism, but what if he or she is really suffering from heavy metal toxicity or auto-immune encephalopathy, for example? Those illnesses are known to cause symptoms of Autism. If your doctor kept digging to find the cause of your child’s neurological dysfunction, you would likely come out on the other side with a treatable illness and hope for the future, not to mention health insurance coverage for treatment. But instead, you are told that your child has autism, there is no treatment, hurry to get on a waiting list for behavioral therapies. Mainstream physicians need to start recognizing and treating the underlying medical issues that are causing the symptoms we collectively observe and diagnose as autism, only then will we start to make some real progress. My hope is that one day, no child will be diagnosed with “Autism”, that all sick children will be properly diagnosed and successfully treated for the illnesses that they truly suffer from. Back to Savage and his misconceptions, this one is almost amusing. He actually thinks that having a child with autism opens the door to free medical treatment and services from the government, suggesting that parents might actually push for a diagnosis in an effort to screw the government and our fellow taxpayers. Those of us in the trenches know that the word “autism” is the last thing a parent wants to hear. Savage’s implied freebies are nowhere to be found. The minute your child is diagnosed, you need to fit yourself with a suit of armor, a shield and a big-ass sword, because you have just taken the first step into a never-ending fight to get the services and medical care that your child needs. Our kids are placed on waiting lists for services that can be years long, our health insurance companies turn their backs on us, and our overwhelmed and under-funded school districts force us to fight for even the most basic services to help our kids. The number of families facing bankruptcy and losing their homes to provide their children with the care they need is staggering. Savage also thinks that greedy lawyers are somehow involved, looking for ways to milk the pharmaceutical companies for families who claim that vaccines caused their child’s regression. He is completely ignorant to the fact that manufacturers are protected from all liability on vaccine injury claims thanks to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. I tried to point this out to him, but he pushed on with this false assumption. What I didn’t realize until hearing the show later, was that my phone line was completely muted when Savage was speaking. There were several times when I tried to interject and disagree with him, and I was simply not heard. This is misleading and my silence could be interpreted by some of his listeners as agreement. I’m not happy about that. Savage’s producer asked me to have several other guests from our community standing by to be interviewed during the show. I did that, and not one of them was included. The callers who were put on the air appeared to be hand-selected to participate in the show with the sole purpose of allowing Savage to backtrack and basically cover his own behind. Savage claims to be an advocate for children’s health. One might think that instead of ranting about bad parenting, he would be questioning why we have so many sick children in this country. Coinciding with the increase in recommended vaccines, we’ve had an increase in chronic diseases including Asthma, ADD, ADHD, Juvenile Diabetes, and yes, Autism. Why do our government health agencies refuse to compare the overall health outcomes of vaccinated versus unvaccinated children? Why do they continue to inject our babies with substances that are known to be toxic to the developing brain and immune system? Why is our government being allowed to treat an entire generation of children like lab rats, by requiring an ever-increasing number of vaccines and conducting absolutely no safety studies on their cumulative effects? Last night, I received an email with a link to a new website, savageonautism.com. He’s got a website for this now? On this site, there is a link to an audio clip of my discussion with Savage. It noted, “Savage speaks with Wendy Fournier, President of the National Autism Association who says that she has much common ground with Savage”. Again, misleading. I do not appreciate the implication that I am in any way on his side and I will not be used as a pawn in his attempt to backtrack on his comments. I contacted Talk Radio Network about this and the reference was promptly removed. Mark Masters from TRN has offered to air public service announcements on their nationally syndicated shows in an effort to educate listeners on the reality of autism. For that I am very grateful. I hope that it will undo some of the damage that has been done. That damage is very real, and it frightens me for our children. I just got a phone call from a 74-year-old lady from California who was literally screaming at me, saying that we are a bunch of hysterical mothers who refuse to discipline our kids. She could barely catch her breath, and she’s calling us hysterical? I ended up hanging up on her and she’s called back 6 times already - that’s how fired up and anxious she is to criticize us as parents and the children we love. This is the damage that Mike Savage has done, whether he meant to or not is completely irrelevant. There are people out there who are taking his words at face value and his message is one of hate. To the fine people who are sending me hate mail about freedom of speech, you can stop. I’m all for it. You can say anything you want to in this country, but if you choose to attack our kids, be ready to defend your comments. We’re already suited up and are getting pretty good at wielding our big-ass swords. In closing, I have listened with an open mind to Savage’s claim that he was taken out of context. My personal conclusion is that he was not, he’s lying to us. There are several reasons why I don’t believe him, but I keep coming back to one very significant quote. Savage claims he was talking about the “misdiagnosed”, not kids that truly have autism. But during his deplorable rant he said, “What do you mean they scream and they’re silent?” He was talking then about children who are silent, children who are non-verbal, children who are severely affected by autism, children like my beautiful little girl. Michael Savage, take your father’s advice. Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Whether you actually meant to hurt suffering families or not, the simple fact is, you did hurt us. And for that alone, you should man up and apologize. Wendy Fournier, President National Autism Association wendy@nationalautism.org

Today went much better. We had speech and oral motor therapy at 8, OT at 9 and swim class at 10:30. I am not sure if having therapy first helped or because it was his second time. He still had some issues but Much better this time. The parents were are very nice and understanding. When the class finished I asked the instructor about private lessons as I think he will learn more. She said she has a little cousin with Autism so she understands. I still think it is important to take the group class just to get the social skills and taking turns thing down but I think he will learn more from one on one. Thanks to everyone who responded when I was so down after the first lesson.

Well the first email addy to mr. savage didnt work...since then I have heard him go on about the early intervention and early diagnosis...so I added a few comments in the letter regarding that...and sent it to him. Hopefully this time it will reach it's destination. Here is the New addy if anyone else wants it. jerrycrowley@wor710.com Mr. Savage, Talk Radio Network P.O. Box 3755 Central Point, Oregon 97502 Dear Mr Savage and To Whom it May Concern: I am writing in response to your recent broadcast, regarding autism and parenting skills, As a parent of an autistic child, I would like to extend to you a written invitation to my home. I would like for you to be a guest in my house for a week. Keep in mind, it’s only 7 days….My husband and I, would love to see what it is exactly we are doing wrong with our son, and how we can magically cure him of autism. This is the perfect opportunity for you to put your comments in action and show your listeners, that you actually know something about the subject and aren’t like all the other so called talk show hosts that run their mouths with out actually knowing what they are talking about. Oh excuse my manners; I just insulted that talk show host that actually researches their material, before they make false accusations and comments. Please excuse, my ignorance and lack of respect. I sincerely, hope that you will take us up on this offer, to get up close and personal with an autistic child….its the opportunity of a lifetime, and I know I would give anything in the world to be able to have an actual conversation with my son. You see he is 11 years old and nonverbal. But don’t let that discourage you, because if you can’t speak, you have to be able to do something that a lot of normal people can’t do…and that is Problem Solve. My son is very intelligent and just waiting for the day…when he can show the world what he knows and what he can do. You see, Not being able to Speak isn’t the same thing as not having something to Say. Who knows, maybe one day, he will be able to grow up and become a Talk Show Host, just like you. As for the subject of Autism, If my son could Speak…This is what he would love to tell you and all of your listeners about autism. Autism ~ from the Autistic Mind of a Child Nobody can see my disability. I look just like every other kid-attractive, walking, making sounds. They can't see how my neurons are scrambled in my brain. They can't see the misconnections between the left and right brain. Nobody can see I have autism. Nobody can see that my body is sick. No one can see that my stomach is in knots from my digestive system not working. No one can that my body and mind are starving because my cells don't make the right enzymes to digest food. No one see that I suffer from low blood sugar because I can't properly metabolize nourishment. No one can see that my body is attacking its own nerve cells from auto-immune dysfunction. No one can see that mercury lead and arsenic cannot be excreted from my body, so it keeps building up in my brain. No one understands that my body cannot tolerate normal enjoyments for children, like bright, vivid colors and loud noises. I desperately want to be a kid and enjoy these things, but my body just won't let me. But everyone can see how inappropriate my behavior can be when I am out in public. Everyone can see how immature I can be compared to other kids my age. Everyone sees the 2-year old tantrums when things have been too overwhelming for me. Everyone sees my frustration from trying to cope. Everyone sees my screaming and fighting. Everyone just assumes I'm being bad, not that my body hurts, my eyes are in pain from colors, my ears ring with loud noises not heard by others. Everyone sees my tantrums when I don't get my way. No one sees that I can't explain my fear when I think I'm not being understood. Everyone may see my screams when my mom takes something away from me. No one can see that having something of comfort can keep my fears under control for me, and taking it away makes my nerves explodes in anxiety. No one understands how hard I have to work to keep my behaviors from reacting to the chemical imbalances in my body that makes me feel horrible. No one can see that, no matter how hard I try, sometimes I cannot control it. No one can see the shame I feel after I've had a meltdown from my body's problems. What they don't see I am a person. I have feelings and want to be loved and accepted like everyone else. What they don't see is that, when they look at me like I need a good spanking; I understand that I'm not capable of controlling my body. What they don't see is that I scream because I don't know how to say "HELP ME" What they don't see is that I hear every ugly word they say, but for the life of me, I can't make my mouth say what I'm feeling. But they don't see that as a disability. They say I am unmanageable. They say I am a problem. But I am not a problem. I HAVE AUTISM. My mom has taken me to more doctors and specialist than you can ever imagine. She's read more books and done more research on my disease than a parent would ever want. She has tried special diet, supplements, drugs and various metabolic therapies. She has PRAYED for GUIDANCE and asked for discernment on how to help my body. And behaviors, OH YES, has she tried everything to help my behavior. Stop telling her all I need is a spanking. If spanking would stop all this, my mom would gladly exchange my disability for a spanking. She knows better than all of you what I need to help me, and what we both need is your understanding, not ignorance. I just want to be accepted and understood. No blamed and ashamed, I want to be appreciated for my gifts. I do have some if you look more closely. I want to be cared for as a person. I want you to care, even when I act like I don't. I want to be respected, just like you do. I want you to respect my mom and dad for all the hard work they have done to help me try to lead a normal a life as possible. I want you to respect my family and all the struggles we have to endure because of our love for each other. I want to be LOVED like any other child. And need you to role model respectful behavior for me so I can be respectful too. I want you to love me just like JESUS would. Love, (Author unknown) Mr. Savage, Again, anytime you want to see what it’s really like to raise a child with autism…you are always welcome to visit our home. Maybe you could also do a story about all the parents that have been sent overseas, to serve their country and protect the freedom of the press...while you exploit and insult their Families and Parenting Skills. Or the families that are surviving on one income....because they dont qualify for Welfare or Financial Assistance...I think you might be suprised at the number of Autistic Families that fall in these Categories! As for Early Intervention...as the parent of a child with Severe Autism...Trust me when I tell you...YOU CANT FAKE IT!!! When you have a child that is 18 months and Not speaking...as well as not pointing or trying to interact in their environment...Something is Wrong!!!! Unfortunately, Autism wasnt even recognized as a medical conditon until a couple of years ago...it was considered a mental disorder...So the doctors that we have been taking our children too for Years....Had absolutely NO Education about the disorder What so ever....We had to go to a Psychologist to get a Diagnosis...and then when you get the diagnosis....its I'm sorry your child has Autism...Good Luck. There was NO HELP or SUPPORT. Our children get sick just like other children...and yet they are discriminated against...because they are too difficult too Treat and nobody wants to work with a difficult child. I took my son to a dentist, because he was in obvious pain and needed to have a tooth pulled. The dentist took one look and said, i'm not pulling that tooth...but if he was a normal child he would be treated differently. So I had to find another dentist to treat my son. And I could tell you many more Discriminating story...the one thing I have learned...there is still this...Dont ask, Dont Tell...and Not in My Backyard mentality. People are afraid of things they cant understand...and yes, I cant tell you how many times...I have had to take my child to the grocery store...Gotten the Looks like....that child needs a good Spanking...Even been told...If you train them up right..you wouldnt have that problem...So I guess along with the invitation to my home...I owe you a Thank You...Thank You for reinforcing the Ignorance...that my family has to indure on a regular basis. Once Again, if you want to find out what it's really like to raise a child with Autism...Your more than welcome to Walk a Mile in My Shoes for a Week. God Bless You! The Morrell Family

Carl had been bumping in the tunnel on the playset. I sat my tea down and he immediatly got it. an afternoon thunder storm was rolling in and i was trying to get him into the house he was on his stomach and I got his hands to pull him out of the tunnel but he was concerned I was taking his tea. he was held on to the tea cup with hsi teeth.

D Louvel, M Delvaux, A Felez, J Fioramonti, L Bueno, Y Lazorthes, J Frexinos Laboratory of Digestive Motility, Gastroenterology Unit, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France. AIM: The effects of oxytocin on colonic perception of intraluminal distension were evaluated in 26 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), using a flaccid bag placed in the descending colon and connected to a computerised barostat. METHOD: Symptomatic responses (first sensation and pain) were evaluated during isobaric distensions (4 mm Hg increments, five minute duration, five minute interval with return to zero pressure between each step),......... Read more at: http://gut.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/39/5/741

Today was our first day of swim lessons. It was a class of four students. When we walked in I noticed none of the other parents had on their suits and the children where nicely lined up sitting on the edge of the pool. I told the instructor I had to get in with him because he has Autism. Well he didn't understand the whole concept of Swim class, he just wanted to swim. It was an indoor pool so sound ECHOS very loudly. The instructor worked with each child one at a time so he had to wait his turn, ugh. He did well when it was his turn but in between was a nightmare for me. He was pulling my hair, kicking me, and screaming. I felt badly for the people having to listen to this and they probably thought I should have removed him but I thought to myself " I paid for these lessons and we are staying". He did calm down and participate some, he even blew his first water bubbles, yeah! But my spirit is a little crushed and I am worn out. Wish me luck for Thursdays class.

The other day we went to the pool and Seoc stepped right on a bee, ouch. He screamed and flailed while the teenage lifeguard used her stinger remover but after was just fine and ready to swim. Later I gave him some benedryl and put some lanacane on the spot. You can hardly tell where he got stung. Just wanted to pass along when removing a stinger use a credit card edge and scrape it out to avoid the venom sack from bursting. I was amazed!!

Well, I went back to the doctor today to have my foot x-rayed again since that funky fall I had back in May. Goofy me walked around on it for a week before I went to the doctor. Gee, whiz! I honestly thought it was just sprained. You know how we are as women..we don't nor do we allow ourselves to go slower than a kittten's pace. Pain? Define THAT in a mom's dictionary. $75 worth of x-rays later I find the fistibula fracture still alive and NOT kicking. The cast was off 2 weeks ago and now another has taken its' place. Grrrr and pout! Someone PLEASE send me an eHow article on using crutches. I seem to have lost my cordination and wish I could lose that fear of heights. Oh, well.....scoot and shoot. The doctor was chasing behind me screaming: "Keep off that foot!" as I was going; “Weeeeee” out the door in the wheelchair. Now here I sit (which I am sadly forced to do) glaring at my pink toes wiggling from beneath that 20lb fiberglass splint.

My daughter has a special place in her heart for Ice Cream. I understand this and sometimes even indulge it. Especially with a rough day. We had one of those at speech today. So I thought there was no harm in running by McDonalds for a small cone. Oh man! There was white cream all over my car! And she loved every little moment of it! Ok, so I have a bit of cleaning to do, but to give her a moment of being a normal two year old was priceless! I wish there were more of these to go around!

Mr. Savage, Talk Radio Network P.O. Box 3755 Central Point, Oregon 97502 Dear Mr Savage and To Whom it May Concern: I am writing in response to your recent broadcast, regarding autism and parenting skills. As a parent of an autistic child, I would like to extend to you a written invitation to my home. I would like for you to be a guest in my house for a week. Keep in mind, it’s only 7 days….My husband and I, would love to see what it is exactly we are doing wrong with our son, and how we can magically cure him of autism. This is the perfect opportunity for you to put your comments in action and show your listeners, that you actually know something about the subject and aren’t like all the other so called talk show hosts that run their mouths with out actually knowing what they are talking about. Oh excuse my manners; I just insulted that talk show host that actually researches their material, before they make false accusations and comments. Please excuse, my ignorance and lack of respect. I sincerely, hope that you will take us up on this offer, to get up close and personal with an autistic child….its the opportunity of a lifetime, and I know I would give anything in the world to be able to have an actual conversation with my son. You see he is 11 years old and nonverbal. But don’t let that discourage you, because if you can’t speak, you have to be able to do something that a lot of normal people can’t do…and that is Problem Solve. My son is very intelligent and just waiting for the day…when he can show the world what he knows and what he can do. You see, Not being able to Speak isn’t the same thing as not having something to Say. Who knows, maybe one day, he will be able to grow up and become a Talk Show Host, just like you. As for the subject of Autism, If my son could Speak…This is what he would love to tell you and all of your listeners about autism. Autism ~ from the Autistic Mind of a Child Nobody can see my disability. I look just like every other kid-attractive, walking, making sounds. They can't see how my neurons are scrambled in my brain. They can't see the misconnections between the left and right brain. Nobody can see I have autism. Nobody can see that my body is sick. No one can see that my stomach is in knots from my digestive system not working. No one can that my body and mind are starving because my cells don't make the right enzymes to digest food. No one see that I suffer from low blood sugar because I can't properly metabolize nourishment. No one can see that my body is attacking its own nerve cells from auto-immune dysfunction. No one can see that mercury lead and arsenic cannot be excreted from my body, so it keeps building up in my brain. No one understands that my body cannot tolerate normal enjoyments for children, like bright, vivid colors and loud noises. I desperately want to be a kid and enjoy these things, but my body just won't let me. But everyone can see how inappropriate my behavior can be when I am out in public. Everyone can see how immature I can be compared to other kids my age. Everyone sees the 2-year old tantrums when things have been too overwhelming for me. Everyone sees my frustration from trying to cope. Everyone sees my screaming and fighting. Everyone just assumes I'm being bad, not that my body hurts, my eyes are in pain from colors, my ears ring with loud noises not heard by others. Everyone sees my tantrums when I don't get my way. No one sees that I can't explain my fear when I think I'm not being understood. Everyone may see my screams when my mom takes something away from me. No one can see that having something of comfort can keep my fears under control for me, and taking it away makes my nerves explodes in anxiety. No one understands how hard I have to work to keep my behaviors from reacting to the chemical imbalances in my body that makes me feel horrible. No one can see that, no matter how hard I try, sometimes I cannot control it. No one can see the shame I feel after I've had a meltdown from my body's problems. What they don't see I am a person. I have feelings and want to be loved and accepted like everyone else. What they don't see is that, when they look at me like I need a good spanking; I understand that I'm not capable of controlling my body. What they don't see is that I scream because I don't know how to say "HELP ME" What they don't see is that I hear every ugly word they say, but for the life of me, I can't make my mouth say what I'm feeling. But they don't see that as a disability. They say I am unmanageable. They say I am a problem. But I am not a problem. I HAVE AUTISM. My mom has taken me to more doctors and specialist than you can ever imagine. She's read more books and done more research on my disease than a parent would ever want. She has tried special diet, supplements, drugs and various metabolic therapies. She has PRAYED for GUIDANCE and asked for discernment on how to help my body. And behaviors, OH YES, has she tried everything to help my behavior. Stop telling her all I need is a spanking. If spanking would stop all this, my mom would gladly exchange my disability for a spanking. She knows better than all of you what I need to help me, and what we both need is your understanding, not ignorance. I just want to be accepted and understood. No blamed and ashamed, I want to be appreciated for my gifts. I do have some if you look more closely. I want to be cared for as a person. I want you to care, even when I act like I don't. I want to be respected, just like you do. I want you to respect my mom and dad for all the hard work they have done to help me try to lead a normal a life as possible. I want you to respect my family and all the struggles we have to endure because of our love for each other. I want to be LOVED like any other child. And need you to role model respectful behavior for me so I can be respectful too. I want you to love me just like JESUS would. Love, (Author unknown) Mr. Savage, Again, anytime you want to see what it’s really like to raise a child with autism…you are always welcome to visit our home. Maybe you could also do a story about all the parents that have been sent overseas, to serve their country and protect the freedom of the press...while you exploit and insult their Families and Parenting Skills. Or the families that are surviving on one income....because they dont qualify for Welfare or Financial Assistance...I think you might be suprised at the number of Autistic Families that fall in these Categories! God Bless You! The Morrell Family

So I have been signing with my daughter since a couple months old. Before her illness that I believe led to the diagnosis, she was signing a lot back. We started using the Signing Time series with her at about a year and she is addicted! We ended up buying the first three after extensively using the library copies. I finally got our library cards and reserved three more and upon getting in the car with them she stole them from me and refused to let go for an hour. I had to pry one from her to put it on! I am in love with this series. It is so easy to use and kids love them! I am even refreshing my signs. And my mom, who I have been trying to teach sign to since I was 3, is picking it up! I can not praise this stuff enough. My daughter is finally trying to sign back to us again and I love it! Next step is saying "I love you Mom" verbally or sign, doesn't matter!

I think I mentioned having health issues of my own in the past, so I will just say that this week I have been dealing with a morton's neuroms in my left foot (think thickened nerve with burning and swelling) and have barely been able to walk. So my mom said she would come help with the lesson this week. Yay! Haley was great. She got dressed easily, only fussed a second as I put in her earplugs and waited for us to be ready too. We were able to get right in and I started in thinking maybe mom would just hand her off to me, but the teacher told her to get right in, besides Haley was already half way down the steps and up to her chest. So we all did the lesson together! I was shocked. Haley got in the pool pulling us behind her and immediately wanted to go all over the places barely enabling us to hold on. This lesson included some time with the swim bubbles and letting go of her to get her used to doing it alone. She never even noticed. Grated she kept drinking the water, but she had a ball pushing us away and then grabbing our fingers! She even interacted with the other kids (sorta) playing ball. (more like pushing it back to the teacher but it wasn't straight so the kids got it and she watched them) She loved it, my mom had a blast taking turns on the activities and then Haley got out easily this time for her. (I had to drag myself out with a throbbing foot as in the water you have to use toes to balance and walk. ) She even was patient enough to let us all dress with the minor exception for her new game of throwing everything in any open toilet, like her sippy cup. (and a pool toy from class) Oh well.. trade off one thing for something minor anyday! Yay for understanding swim teachers and helping grammie's!

Ran into my son's first occupational therapist yesterday. We've had two since her. She asked how he was doing and I felt so sad thinking; "All I can say is his language's improved and it's been what almost three years since we saw her" "Gosh, are we moving slow or what?" I've got to go on that scripture verse all about pressing on towards the prize and not looking back, but forward. I can either get sad that we have'nt gone far or I can say I now know more what works for him and we'll go forward from here. God has truely blessed me. Though my son has a severe processing problem one of my friend's is a special ed. teacher whose going to help me design his school plan today. You see I homeschool my son due to several things; the school system just letting him sit and stare, not wanting to meet his needs, and the fact that he picks up any behaviors or words he's around with his extreme echolalia. I have to lot at my blessings, the devil wants me to be discouraged and think discouraging thoughts. I won't let him win, with me or my son.

Am I the only one who feel this extreme weariness that hangs over me like a cloud? Do you guys feel kinda numb and tired or is it just me? Am I just feeling sorry for myself now? I feel I not only need a vacation but a vacation from my mind? Do you guys know what I mean? A vacation from all the thoughts of therapies, getting my son better, what the future holds? I sleep but I wake up thinking again, researching again. This war again Autism is exhausting. How do you guys make it through, other than extreme prayer; which I'm doing. I thought I knew what weariness was before with all normal functioning kids but I did'nt. I pray to walk and not be weary and yet I'm so tired mentally. Maybe I need a vitamin of some kind. I don't know what I need. The care of our chldren is so constant, so mind consuming and time consuming. I don't want to be admired by people who say they admire me, I just want to be. Are all ya's days hard or somedays easier? Do you just accept the craziness of it all or do you constantly fight to change it?

Subject: Tell McCain: Viagra is not more important than birth control. Dear Friend, Last week a reporter asked Sen. John McCain whether he thinks it's fair for insurance companies to cover Viagra for men, but not birth control for women. To tell you his reply simply doesn't do it justice. Watch this video to learn his response. Then take action. I just signed a petition calling on Senator McCain to stand up for affordable birth control -- I hope you will too. Please have a look and take action. http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/mccain_respect_contraception/?r_by=-1722524-I02GZkx&rc=paste Thanks! Privacy Policy

Well, the day has finally arrived and even though I have expected it, it is a strange feeling. Today, Corvus' psychologist handed me to copies of the "Gilliam Asperger's Disorder Scal" and asked my husband and I to each fill one out as regards Corvus. I feel like this is a good and necessary step - but it is still weird to be in this place. I'll let you all know the results. Deb

Somedays I am very grateful to be a single parrent, to have no one to argue parenting style or changing of rules or to coordinate schedules. But then again... I have no one to to argue parenting style or changing of rules or to coordinate schedules........ Haley has been challanging lately. Not because she has changed anything other than her sensitivity to sounds, but because I have developed an inflammed nerve in my foot making it near impossible to walk, not to mention carry and rock an upset or overtired toddler. These are the days i can admit I am a little jealous of you married folk. Not only would I have someone there to support Haley with me, but to support me as well. And of course the all important tag team care. It is not my favorite thing, being on 100% of the time. But I think I would hate it if I weren't. I guess when it comes down to it there is something for being an only parent, but there is something more to being a family team.

Read the statements from John McCain and Barack Obama on ASA's Vote for Autism page: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_advo&JServSessionIdr009=n4f79e4fc2.app26a I haven't had the chance to read their statements yet--but will tonight. I'll be interested to hear what they have to say, and how you respond......

Yesterday Rick and I decided to take Nicolas to StoryLand. That's a storybook themed fun park in Glen,NH. Planning any outing with Nicolas can be somewhat stressful, as we never know how he is going to react to large crowds and lots of activity. As we were leaving, I tossed a little orange cap in the van. I knew it was going to be a warm, sunny day at StoryLand and I was hoping that I could get Nicolas to wear it.( He doesn't like things on his head.) On our way to StoryLand, Nicolas kept handing the hat to Rick to put on. Rick would put it on and Nicolas would clap and laugh and indicate with a little grin that he liked to see that hat on daddy's head. I must admit, Rick looked pretty goofy with it on, but being a good dad, he did what he knew would make Nicolas happy and eventually left the hat on. He kept that silly orange cap on all day. Throughout the day I noticed a few second glances and even observed some snooty looking woman laughing at him, pointing and elbowing her husband to take a look and he laughed at him too. My first reaction was anger, I wanted to smack her upside the head, but then I figured how sad for her. This woman had no idea how much my husband loves his son, and how he was willing do most anything to put a smile on his face. He loved seeing the smile on Nicolas' face everytime he would look at him and glance up at that silly orange hat on his head. Yesterday reminded me of how fortunate and blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband that is so sure of himself that he doesn't care what anyone thinks. He loves his family and that is all that matters to him. Rick knew that Nicolas loved to see him wearing that silly orange hat, and nothing else mattered. Nicolas handled the heat, crowds and all the activity very well. Yesterdays outing at StoryLand was a great day. By the end of the day,that silly orange hat kinda grew on him, and for a split second, I thought my husband looked pretty hot in that orange hat!

THEY SAY NY SON IS RECOVERD THIS IS ARE STORY

Hi all, I have an All Points Bulletin… As many of you know, I have begun my certification process in RDI, (Relationship Development Intervention). RDI is a parent- based intervention that addresses the core deficits of autism. (This is particularly exciting to me because of the developmental focus, and especially with the new thoughts put out by Harvard.) During the approximately 18-month training, I work with two supervisory families, assisted by my own supervisor throughout the entire process. I was all set with my families, but unfortunately, the main supervision family is not available at present. So, in short – I’m searching for a new family. I live in central New Hampshire, and am seeking a family with a child who is diagnosed on any part of the autism spectrum, knows just a bit (or more) about RDI, or is willing to learn, and is interested in working with me throughout the next 18 months. I have all sorts of information about RDI, and would be very willing to talk to you if you would be interested. I know that cost is always a stumbling block, of course. During my Consultant in Training process I am charging families to just cover the rental fee for my church, and the cost of having my family on the RDI operating system, (RDIos). If you are interested in finding out more about RDI, you can check out the RDI website at www.connectionscenter.com, or feel free to contact me.

Went to Charlotte to meet with a educational specialist with Fast Forward for processing disorders. She said my son is just about ready for their basics program, just need to do some practice with him first. I'm excited that he may actually start learning more. He loves to click and drag things.

JACKSON, SC (WIS) - At first, Gail Martin says she wasn't sure who was yelling at her to leave the Buckhead Café in Jackson. It turned out to be Jackson Police Chief Dennis Rushton, asking Gail and her family to leave. "I didn't know what he was doing," Gail's daughter Lauren said. The family was just about to order when 4-year-old Alyssa began crying; she suffers from autism. Gail says Chief Rushton yelled across the restaurant again. "He said, ‘You need to pick her up and you need to get out of here now,'" Gail said. Lauren is upset with the chief. "That was very mean to say -- just very mean," Lauren said. The embarrassment was too much for Gail and her daughters, who soon left the restaurant. "I wasn't embarrassed of Alyssa's behavior, I was embarrassed of the way it was handled," Gail said. Chief Rushton would not make a statement, but he did say he felt Mrs. Martin's daughter was being extremely loud and bothering other customers. Even though he knew the child was autistic, he said he did ask the Martins to leave. Gail says she feels like Chief Rushton should have been more understanding about what was going on with her autistic daughter. "We can't just lock them up, they have every right to be out in public like everyone else," Gail said. Now Gail hopes her story will bring more awareness about autism. "If it can happen in a small town in Jackson, it can happen anywhere," Gail said. Chief Rushton says he is open to going through training through the South Carolina Autism Society to help him better understand the condition. Rushton also says his police commissioner has invited the Martin family to meet with them at City Hall. The Martins say they are open to meeting with the commissioner. As you can imagine, people have had plenty to say about this story. Viewer Roger said, "The family should have known better than to take an emotionally disturbed child into a restaurant. When customers pay to enjoy a nice meal the last thing they want to endure is an uncontrollable child." Viewer Amanda wrote, "I know what it's like to have one or both of your autistic children start crying for reasons that other people could not possibly understand. I'm not saying children with autism should get a free pass on their behavior. I'm just saying that people should be more understanding because most of these kids can't communicate their needs verbally." I cant say I am shocked at the mentality of these people.

Stayed up last night reading some of Seth's entries under Forum-individuals with autism. He's has amazing faith. I made my kids listen to the entries. I think it taught my son a different view on non-verbal autistics and I do think encouraing our kids to have a strong spiritual belief in God is the key to anxiety relief, depression and peace inside; as it is also for us. I am ashamed to say I have not attained to the level of faith that Seth has. I suppose it harder for us to have such total dependence because we are so full of the pride of self. What a wonderful guy!!!! I salute him as well as God who resides inside his spirit.

I watched a movie today called "The five people you'll meet in heaven" It was all about this man meeting people from different points of his life showing that he actually did'nt have the whole picture of his life afterall. It was so meaningfull. He was really thinking his life showed no real accomplishments and he was wrong, all because he did the same job for years. I think many times we all think our lives are not that thrilling and really don't show much accomplishment. The real point of the movie that I learned was that every life we impact impacts another, it's a snowball effect. I think we'll all find out in heaven that our lives mean't much more than we realized.

One activity both of my boys participate in well, without any meltdowns, or looking like uncoordinated computer geeks, is small group, very structured tennis lessons. This summer we did not try tee ball or baseball, as both were disasterous last summer. Swimming lessons were okay, but we wanted to try something different. So, they both took tennis and are doing great. Sure, they are not headed to be future Wimbledon players. They need to work on coordination skills still. But so do other kids their age. The teachers are terrific and encouraging. I recommend trying this if you have a child with high functioning autism. It is great for working on language skills, social skills and just having fun.

Well, we were scheduled for a swim lesson today but alas, did not make it there. Many many facotrs on this one: Haley went to bed about 10pm. Not Bad. I went to bed about 11 cause I can't do any work while she is up. Long night tossing and turning for me. And then.... surprise! Haley is up at 4am. Refused to go to bed. I tried everything, even having her in my bed. NO go. SO my mom arrived about 730 to take her off my hands so I could rest and hopefully get rid of the migraine that I still have right now. Fortunately she was good for my dad who had to watch her and he was able to rearrange the living room as they wanted and then crashed for a nap about 45min ago. As I left to get her a burger king kids meal (mac'n'cheese) to spoil her for being good. At least it reheats. Bummer about the swim lesson though.... would have been fun if I could have opened my eyes enough to get into the pool. Ther is always next week!

“A THANKFUL PRAYER” DEAR GOD, YOU’VE BROUGHT ME TO A PLACE THAT I’D NEVER GONE BEFORE YOU’VE BROUGHT ME TO AUTISM. YOU’VE HONORED ME BY PLACING ME IN THE RANKS OF WOMEN WHO FIGHT WITH THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR CHILDREN DAILY, HOURLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY, YEARLY. I PALE IN COMPARISON TO THESE LADIES WHO NEVER GIVE UP TRYING FOR THEIR CHILDREN, NEVER GIVE UP RESEARCHING AND PRESEVERING. I LONG TO BE STRONG LIKE THEM, AND FEAR I’M NOT. I KNOW YOU HAVE ALL OF THE STRENGHT WE ALL NEED, IF WE ONLY ASK AND WAIT. THE WAITING IS HARD. I AM JUST BEGINNING TO SUFFER AS MANY OF THESE WOMEN HAVE ALREADY FOR MANY YEARS. I AM JUST BEGINNING TO INTERVENE WITH TOUGH THERAPIES, BUT IT DOES HELP ME THAT WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME ROAD. THANK YOU FOR “FOGGY ROCK” AND THANK YOU FOR THESE WOMEN WHO MEAN THE WORLD TO NOT ONLY THEIR CHILDREN; BUT ALSO TO THIS MOTHER. YOUR CHILD, LAURIE ANN CLEARY “ALIAS--STRIVING

I'm afraid this is going to be along blog, so hang in there. Went to a pool we're a member of today. Because my son lacks language to make friends he swims right up to other kids and says "Squidward, Squidward" I think he thinks they probaly watch Sponge Bob too. The kids and the moms look at him funny. He gets so close to others swimming right up to them trying to make friends; I guard the path to getting too close to other kids, some of them are little, scared girls. My guy would'nt hurt a fly, as a matter of fact he lets kids hurt him and just stands there. My son splashes wildly to get other kid's attention also. So this mom just says to her kids/ "Come one kids let's go play with the friends you came here to meet" I just stayed in the kiddie pool with my son, later taking him to the deep end with a noodle so we did'nt bother them. When we got to the deep end a old Billy Joel song was playing on the radio; "Don't go changing to try and please me, I love you just the way you are, I would'nt leave you in times of trouble, we never could have come this far" ---Very symbolic of my feelings!!! I hated that I cryed on the way home, then called a true friend who cared. It's sad this world does not show the love of God more than it does. I forgive them. After they left the kiddie pool my little guy says; "Where did his kids go?, Oh, they go away" and when taking him to the car he said; "That was his girl, that was his girl" He wants a friend so bad, it just breaks my heart. Like I said, "I forgive them"

I just figured out how to get a pic from my cell uploaded. It is too cute. Michelle with Buttercup on her lap. I couldn't have gotten a better pic from a pro.

Anyone with low toned kids who are hard to educate, seem totally uninterested in learning, slow to answer also with processing disorder?

Our doctor said to give the shots in my son's bottom, but since being on the glutten free/caseine free diet there's not much fat to speak of on his liittle rump. Do you guys give the shots any other place?

My son has a very low energy level. He tires so easily even though he's now on b-12 shots and vitamins. I'm having a hard time getting the vitamins in him, he's very suspious of spoons coming toward his mouth, so I hide the vitamins in his food. There's only so much applesauce he'll eat, you know. Did experiment with smoothies the other day. How do ya trick them to taking them? Ours are powdered capsules that can go in food but if put in while cooking it takes away the potentcy.

This is a first time in months I think I have been here and right now its's my moment of sanity. The last two months have been pure heck dealing with issues outside the Autism realm. I thought dealing with a child with special needs was a tough road to travel then come to fine out it's dealing with those without Autism that put you through the most drama and unwanted excitement. Those who know me on a personal have and idea of the events of May at my oldest graduation the has lead to the rest of the family not on speaking terms with her due to her young man she decided to choose her family over. How by punishing me so she thinks it by not talking to her little brother whom adores her is going to make me change my mind about my feelings of her relationship. The only that is hurting here is him, how do you explain to a 12 year old kid with a special need that you sister likes to play mind games (she graduated with a Degree in Psychology a tool she feels she can use to get into the mind of people discuss their issues then use them against that person later on in life) The only that is suffering is him, his other two sisters 14 and 19 are filling in the void left behind by the 21 year old. Or how the mind of my mother and sister have been turned to beleive the lies and deceite of how and uncaring parents my husband have been to this child. How is it I we can have 4 kids beautiful ones I may add and only one of them ends up with a hateful spirit? I guess its like the way we have four kids and only one of them ends up with Autism its one of lifes many mysteries. With Autism you have a chance to learn about the what you are facing, but with this situation there is no book, no internet advice that can perpare you for what we are facing, how to put your emotiions undercontrol and its gonna feel when you have to let go of someone you brougt into this world. How do you cope when you mom wont even speak to you over a decision that you had to make to keep your sanity, but then has the nerve to say if I stop putting so much time into my son and his needs (for she feels he dosent really have Autism) then my daughter wont feel the way she feels I favor the 19 years old and my son over her and the 14 year old. Not that is not the case all are treated equal up ot a certian point each one has "certian needs" that cant be given to the other children and my son is a whole ball game all together but appears its easier then the non Autism Issues is that wrong? Hopefully things will get back to normal what ever that may be, and if they do its fine if not I guess its just one of those tough love lessons in life I had to learn

We recently had a great experience at Six Flags, http://autismparents.net/six-flags-autism-friendly-park/ , but I am wondering if we just benefited from their policy not being enforced??? You are supposed to go in thru the exit, and schedule a time to get on the ride. The idea is you have to wait as long as the regular line. The kid running the ride is supposed to estimate wait time in the regular line and pencil you in to come back after that time passes. In actuality, this is WAY TO BUREAUCRATIC for the teenagers running the rides. We basically got right on most rides at the STL park, not because of their policy, but in spite of it. If we had to go in thru the EXIT and then leave to come back, that is MORE likely to call a meltdown. Here we are at the ride, now leave. You would have to send one parent or someone ahead to schedule. Seems like in this day and age they could use technology to help with this. Like you scan disability tag at the ride and get assigned a time from computer, etc. They have a similar thing for the speed pass thing you can buy.

Don't know how I did it but just realized I had pending contacts and accepted them-YEAH!!- but... did not read the notes. Sooo anyone I added or anyone who wants to be on my "popular list" (just kidding) if you want to drop me a note...I'm here just cognitively computer delayed;) so bare with me!!

Restaurant apologizes for kicking out family Last Updated: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 | 11:23 AM ET Comments101Recommend59 CBC News A national restaurant chain has apologized to the family of a girl with autism who was kicked out of one of its Edmonton locations on Saturday for being too noisy. Sarah Seymour said her five-year old daughter, Eowyn, had been screaming and kicking because she was upset her favourite food wasn't on the menu at the Smitty's on Stony Plain Road in Edmonton's west end. "We were approached by the waiter, who informed us that there was another patron at the restaurant who was refusing to pay for their food unless Eowyn was removed," Seymour said. Seymour said the family was asked to leave, despite her attempts to explain her daughter's condition to the supervisor. Mike Seymour, the child's father, said staff should have handled the situation with more sensitivity. "The first question should have been, 'Is there any way we can help?' not 'Can you please make your child leave,' " he said. On Monday, the president of Smitty's Canada expressed his alarm about the incident. "When a situation like this arises, it's definitely a shock to the system," Chris Manderscheib said. "So we want to make sure that we've addressed it, making sure we educate ourselves as well." The company has apologized to the family and says it is going to raise money for autism research. Sarah Seymour said the family is satisfied with the company's apology. An independent franchisee owns and operates the west end Smitty's restaurant.

This week, Corvus has camp, which is usually the better weeks in the summer because he has things to do. Yesterday, I was teaching a class, and in order to get both Corvus and I where we needed to go, we had to leave early. Today, my husband had some medical tests and in order to get Corvus and him where they were going we had to leave early. After I dropped Bill off, Corvus and I were driving to camp. He had been extremely anxious all morning and in the car seemed to be on the verge of tears. Finally I pulled the car over and said, "So, what's up?" And Corvus - for the the first time in his life - answered me directly and succictly. He said, "The last two mornings my routine has been all messed up and I dont like that when it happens. It makes me worry a lot!" We were then abile to discuss the fact that the rest of the week would be 'normal' and to spend some calm down time. By the time we got to camp he was a happy boy again - and I was bursting with pride!! Deb

Autism Parents is home to all thing related to raising a child with autism, plus plenty of fun stuff too. http://autismparents.net/ http://autismretort.com/blog/

Our first day of swimming was about a week ago. Being moderately limited in physical ability myself, my mother decided to come with Haley and myself and to go into the water as my arms for Haley's first lesson. We made it through the changing area with moderate anxiety but still managed. Then came the therapy pool room and the other 15 crying toddlers and babies and their embarrassed and excited parent(s). My daughter took one look at the pool, the people, and me and began the wailing. Not crying, not whimpering- loud, deafening wails of shear terror! The other parents glared, other babies began to cry, my mom attempted to step into the water with my daughter, knowing that she had always LOVED to run into the wake with us at any pool, stream, lake, or ocean we passed. This did not go over well. The shreaking went up an octive at least and she desperately clawed for me at the pools edge. So I took her. I then was required by her to not face the pool, not step near the water, and not allow my mother (who thought maybe if she showed Haley it was ok to get in) outside a 1ft radius. After 20 min of shrill squeals we gave up. The lady at the front desk was warm and very forgiving. She said that with her two grandchildren with Autism, it took weeks and not to give up as they have seen and heard everything! I decided that we would give it one more try. This time with ear plugs for her to maybe deafen the echo or the kids or something? The minute we reached the changing room, it began. Feeling weak but still determined I forged on and into the pool room. We stood there for 10 minutes before class watching slightly older children get their lesson. She whimpered and clung to me but at least no yelling, right? Our class headed in next and I thought maybe if I just held her tight we could ease in. She shreiked every step closer we got. I think I still have the claw marks on my neck. But she did allow me to step in, eventually sit on the steps in the water, but crawled up me as her feet touched the bathwater temp pool. I let it go and stayed put for about 10 more minutes. After that I went down one more step, more screams like I was torturing her. Another ten minutes and I noticed her fists, toys and all were touching and then playing with the water. Not long after she was nearly jumping out of my arms to get deeper and more free. The lesson went well. She played her own games and her own speed and ignored the teacher and classmates but she SWAM! Kicked her little feet, dunked her head and laughed the whole time! She was all over that little pool! I could barely keep up with her. After the lesson ended we had one more fight. This time about getting out. She refused and I had to carry her to the top step, then let go to drag my own aching body out, just as I would get my feet to the last steps, I would have to turn around and chase her back into water nearly to deep for her to stand. Well, I think I would prefer that over the beginning. Thank you Bath YMCA, Kelly the teacher, and the lovely grammie at the info desk for the kindness, patience, and grace for which you have dealth with our minor "freak out's." Here is to many more (well ok 4) enjoyable laughter filled lessons!

You read the title correctly. My daughter, and my family were asked to leave a Smitty's restaurant this morning (July 5, 2008) after a brief autistic crying episode disturbed another table...in a full restaruant...one table - not a lot of tables, and not even a table close to us, one across the restaurant. This is one upsetting problem...that we were asked to take her out because she was making noise.... to understand what prompted me to call the local papers, TV stations, radio stations, the better bussiness bureau and a lawyer... please read below the letter I sent to the president of the restaurant chain tonite. Sarah and Michael Seymour 826-10 Ave Wainwright AB t9w1b h(780)842.5093 c.(780)806.1353 apencil@telus.net 2008-07-05 Smitty’s Canada To Whom it May Concern; I am writing to you to relay the inappropriate way in which my daughter, who has special needs, and my family, was treated by your staff at the Smitty’s Restaurant located at 18320 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton Alberta. The incident occurred during breakfast hours on Saturday July 5, 2008. My family of 6, 2 adults and 4 children stay at the Travelodge in Edmonton 4-5 times each year and dine at your restaurant for breakfast every visit. We do this for the sake of continuity as well as convenience. My 5-year-old daughter Eowyn has Autism and routine is very important to her. As you might imagine, travelling is very stressful for her and the change is hard to deal with. The Travelodge hotel and the Smitty’s restaurant have become familiar to her over the past couple of years. This morning she ordered her usual Pizza for breakfast...another reason we choose Smitty’s is its ability to feed her odd tastes at odd hours. Today however, pizza was unavailable. This was upsetting to Eowyn and took her some time to process. Your waitress was very understanding and didn’t seem disturbed at all...I explained my daughter had autism (she was even wearing a shirt that stated the fact), and she would calm in a few minutes, another waitress offered us coloring. The distraction did not work, although appreciated. My daughter may look like a normal five year old, but the behaviour she was exhibiting was similar to a 2 year old throwing a tantrum. She was crying and pulling her hair. We gave her some deep pressure massage and she had stopped pulling her hair...a sign the episode was almost over. We are in no way trying to say she was not making some noise and fuss, we are simply saying that the episode was not behavioural it was symptomatic, under control, and on the way to being stopped. This is when the Greeter/Manager...Itesh Kumav approached and demanded we take her out of the restaurant. I have never seen anyone ever ask anyone ask any parent to remove a crying child from a restaurant, and so I was shocked and asked why? He responded that another table was threatening to leave without paying? My husband’s non diplomatic response was to tell the other table to “suck it up” I immediately interjected and tried to explain the situation. My daughter has autism; she will be calm in a few minutes now that her food is here...Mr. Kumav’s response was still that she had to leave. I said that this was not acceptable. She could not help the way she was, she was upset because the restaurant did not have pizza. She would be calm in a minute. And his response...and I quote, believe me I can’t get his words out of my mind “If she is autistic and this is how she acts, you shouldn’t take her out in public” We immediately stood up and removed our family from the restaurant. I stopped at the front to get his name and the Manager’s name, Dave Hudson and a phone number to reach him 483.6457, which turned out to be the restaurant’s number which was of no use to me as I tried to reach him to talk to him only to be told I couldn’t speak to him until Monday. I have contacted the following press agencies about this incident: Edmonton Journal and CBC news and have done interviews with both. I have contacted my local Autism Advocacy group and will be looking to see if there is any applicable and reasonable legal action to be taken. I will also be contacting the better business bureau to place a complaint. When Mr. Kunav, an employee and representative of Smitty’s restaurant told me that my daughter should not be taken out in public I felt as though I had been slapped across the face. My daughter is learning how to act in public, and she can’t help that her brain processes things slowly and that it is painful while this happens and that is why she cries, my daughter has as much right to be in public as any other child. It is very difficult to parent a child let alone one with autism or other special needs. If my daughter is treated this way, who else is also treated this way by others who work for your restaurants? It is very important to me that all people with special needs are treated with respect. Your restaurant has not shown this to my child or my family, and thus, I must be concerned about others as well. I look forward to a response from you in the near future. If you wish to respond by phone before the 9th of July we are at (780) 539-3899, after that we can be reached at our home number. Sincerely Sarah and Michael Seymour If you would like to show your support for my daughter I would encourage you to email your comments to the president of smitty's at president@smittys.ca or directly to the restaurant in question at http://www.smittys.ca/access/Location/Home.aspx?locID=36 Thank you It has been a long day Sarah

The daily trials, tribulations, and moments of complete insanity faced by the mother of an Autistic toddler, a "normal" 2 year old, a rickety old horse, and a neighborhood full of judgmental parents http://dontbitethedog.blogspot.com

We met with Will's DAN Dr. yesterday. Dr. Sloan with The Genesis Center. He is great. He was so excited about getting started, I was so excited. He understood that we don't have a lot of money and we chose the biggest bang for our buck kind of things. He was very knowledgeable, supportive, and I finally regained HOPE! Something I had lost over the last few weeks. So today getting Will off Gluten (already off casein) and getting rid of some yeast food items and starting on the supplements. I am overwhelmed but anxious! So far, not very good at getting those supplements into his little mouth!

Yesterday I was rushing about to get John out the door on time to pick up this brother from work. All day John had run about in sock feet, no shoes. I sent him to get on his shoes and heard my Mom saying “Go get the other shoes John, one is not enough.” I stuck my head into the kitchen where they were and noticed Johns sock was on inside out. I laughed, “Mom did you help him get his sock on?” My Mom looked bewildered, holds up her disabled crooked arm and says, “Yea, I can’t even get my socks on, and you think I have the ability to help him? I guess he put that sock on inside out.” “Mom, promise me you didn’t help him.” “No, I can’t you know that.” “Then, you just witnessed a miracle, for the first time in his entire life, John has put a sock on!” “Really? I thought he could dress himself?” Mom ask looking surprised. “All but socks, that’s why he wear slip on shoes or sandals in the summer, he has never been able to put on his socks, but now, he can dress himself 100%...just in time for his sixteenth birthday.” So today we in America celebrate Independence day, it really is independence day for us at our house. The final frontier of socks have been conquered, and for the first time ever, I can skip the job of putting socks on my son myself. I am not sure which one is of us more excited about this accomplishment, me or John. Now like his shorts and shirts, he will more than likely wear them inside out, but I don’t care at all, what counts most to me...he did it himself!

Boy was I nervous giving my son his B-12 shot, so afraid I'd hurt him, gave him Emla cream at bedtime though and I just did it in his sleep at 6:30 a.m. I was so scared and I still am, think I will be for quite a while. Not used to giving shots. Hard to get the vitamins in him, they are in powder form that I can put in food, any ideas?

It's a beautiful, sunny, 80 degree day in the usually frozen part of Alaska, Fairbanks. Up here, we do not take warm temperatures for granted. Since most of the year we are indoors, it takes encouragement and prompting to get my boys out of their routine indoor activities to go outside and play. I have to hide the Wii, legos, puzzles and game boys. We started the day with small group tennis lessons. That went well. But after lunch, I decided it is time to try to teach Jared, age 9, to ride a bike without his training wheels. First all the protective gear is put on, with great attention to detail. The velcro straps must match up just so. We start on the lawn. Jared starts to get on the bike. I let go of the handle bar to give him the greatest independence. The bike falls, and he gets upset. He walks away and refuses to look at me. After a few minutes of convincing him I will hold on to the handlebar and the seat, not letting go if he will get on the bike again...he agrees. Our lawn is on a slight incline. Thanks to our dog, there are a few small holes as well. Jared gets on and pedals. We circle the yard three times, until my lower back can't take it any longer. I suggest he is ready to try the pavement. He agrees. Again, he gets on the bike, on the side of our neighborhood road. I hold onto the handlebar and the back seat pushing him about two blocks up and back. Stopping to rub my poor aching back, I say, "this time I am going to only hold onto your seat and shoulders. Jared hesitates, but agrees. He starts to pedal. The bike moves forward, then curves to the left (and I am on the right), then falls...and he is really mad at me now. After wiping off the scratches, I convince him to try a scooter (for balance practice). He does it, but doesn't really do it right. Finally, after about two blocks I said, "you are suppose to stand on the scooter w/two feet and just scoot one foot down to push yourself along every once in a while as you move." He tries and falls. He gets up, with a bloody knee, and doesn't want to have anything to do with the scooter. As we walk back to our house, he has a sad look on his face and says, "My brain is just dumb with bikes and scooters. It just won't work." I try to encourage him saying "You just have to overcome your fear, and believe in yourself, believe you can do it." But inside, I too have a sad heart.

Shannon asked me to post this information when it was official - so now it is official. IT'S A BOY! Okay, IT'S A BOOK! I just released my second book IN HIS SHOES - A Short Journey Through Autism which was created primarily to educate typical peers (upper elementary through middle school) about autism in hopes of creating a more welcome community for kids on the spectrum in school and in our communities. This book follows the main character, 13-year-old Nicholas Hansen, as he makes the big transition from elementary to middle school. Moving up to middle school can be challenging enough, but add the fact that Nicholas has autism and is effectively non-verbal makes it even more challenging. I ask readers to imagine spending the entire first year of middle school without being able to talk with friends and not understanding the concept of "hanging out." The book is unique in that it reaches out to young teens about autism and the main character has autism versus a side character or sibling. Join Nick on his many adventures at the glorious beach, the dreaded mall and the nightmarish dentist office. Cheer him on as he attends his first dance, meets PALs and competes on the track team. With the support of his family, school staff, community members and school PALs, he faces and overcomes many challenges...even bullies! Each chapter ends with a POINTS TO PONDER section which offers a great springboard for group discussions or additional thoughts. When kids finish this book, they might catch themselves thinking, "Hey, I experience some of that too. We aren't so different." If any of you are locals in Orange County, CA, I hope you will join me for an Autism Awareness Presentation on August 10 at Placentia Presbyterian Church. I would be happy to send you a flyer for your own use or to post. I will be intertwining my autism awareness presentation with stories of Nicholas and also will have moms of kids with autism giving brief talks on "day in the life of autism." For more information on this presentation, check out http://www.placentiapresbyterian.org/ In addition, if any of you will be at this year's Autism Society of America National Conference in Orlando next week, please stop by and see me the AAPC booth! I'd welcome any reviews on FoggyRock of IN HIS SHOES as I am obviously a bit biased on my "new baby boy!" Thanks to all of you for your continued support and encouragement in my passion to increase autism awareness! For more information about the book, you can go to www.AisForAutism.net Joanna K-V www.AisForAutism.net