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When your child is not welcomed – dealing with jerks

Cynthia Carr Falardeau

It still makes my blood boil. It’s been two years since we were asked to leave a tumbling class at a local “family fitness center.” I will change the names to protect the not-so-sensitive. Heart break is not new to me or other parents of special needs. I embrace the fact that I am part of a club I never intended to join. I have accepted a different path that has opened my mind and taught me to embrace beauty in expected places. It is hurtful when you run into a person who runs a children’s pro ..

Autism and a Mother's Day tradition

Liz Becker

Mother’s Day – I should confess that before I became a mother I thought it was a holiday founded on quilt trips – one that forces one to buy something to prove their love. What child – young or old – wants to be thought of as the one who forgot thei ..

For World Autism Day I am sending you HOPE

Liz Becker

Monday, April 2, the world will celebrate the 5th annual World Autism Awareness Day. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 - in a landmark resolution that passed unanimously and became only the third health issue to be given it ..

Autism and countdown to college graduation

Jeff Katz

There it is. In about eight weeks, Nate Katz will be a college graduate. The next couple of months are poised to be some of the most exciting of our 21 year adventure. Karen and I will meet with Nate’s professor/adviser next week to hash out some potential f ..

small_advocates

Autism and the fine line between advocacy and annoyance

Cynthia Carr Falardeau

Just for a moment, imagine if teachers graded parents. As you may know, there are three components to evaluating a student’s Individualized Education Plan (also known as an IEP). The three ratings are categorized as Emerging, Continuing, and Mastered. ..

Tag...you're it!

Jeff Katz

I was reading an entry on Cafemom.com about whether hyperlexia was autism. Seems like this mom was told her twins couldn’t be hyperlexic AND autistic at the same time. This “serious” assessment was made by her new physician’s assistant and, though a PA ..

Late to bed, late to rise

Liz Becker

I have insomnia on occasion and after tossing and turning for hours I will finally give up and just get out of bed. I usually get up at 4:30 am, but on nights when I can’t sleep my resignation usually sets in around 2-3am. Regardless of the day of the week ..

Shark eyes & autism

Mandy Boles

There were signs the depression was going to hit again, and I ignored them. It’s been at least five years since I’ve been in a state of severe depression. An incident that happened a couple of weeks before Christmas 2011 seemed to signal the start of ..

Autism (and required pants)

Emily Schaefer

Dillon loves to swing on his very large commercial grade swing in the backyard, but he understands there is one rule that he must obey in order to enjoy that swing; he must wear pants. He loves to swing naked, which I can’t even begin to imagine the freedom ..

Autism & "first blood" of the year

Emily Schaefer

The end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012 have been amazing for Dillon. The new medications have done wonders for his moods, aggressions, tantrums and other “out of control” behaviors. The house destruction has decreased significantly, and we have these ne ..

Autism & a parent's expectations

Edward D. Iannielli III

Children learn what they live and they are influenced by their parents, their surroundings, their families, their teachers and their friends. As a parent we all wish to provide the very best for our children. It is our most important role in life. We are respo ..

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Events

WalkAbout Autism
Miami Lakes - United States
Jan-29-2013 - 10:00 am
The Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism is a community fundraising event for our children and adults with autism and their families. It is a reflection of where we hav ..
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