We have talked with our daughters (15 & 17) about the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy.  We have explained that all the facts are not yet known.  And we have been especially mindful of early reports that the perpetrator had an Aspergers diagnosis.

We have explained to our daughter on the spectrum (15 years old) that the diagnosis did NOT mean all people with this diagnosis were so horribly violent.

She quickly replied, "Well I know that!  He was a sick person, and being autistic doesn't mean you will hurt people."

Guess there's nothing else to add.....

Remember to enjoy your child!

Since I am still relatively new to blogging, I have been experimenting with writing my posts several weeks in advance and setting the "automatic post" option.  Needless to say, my now deleted post was written several weeks ago and I had forgotten about the topic through the course of these last few days.  I am sorry.  Perhaps posting "in the moment" has its advantages.

 

"The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog"

Mark Twain

 

 



Got Kids?

Do you have other children in your family? Are they older or younger than your child with autism?  I have a daughter that is 2 years older than my daughter with autism. (yep, two in diapers...I can hear your eye roll).  So I did have a "typical" child first and still missed the autism signs (loss of language, no eye contact, no pointing....to mention just a few)  But then so did my pediatrician, but that is a future entry on this blog :)

For some folks having a typical child first does highlight some differences in the development of their younger child.  And if your older child is the child on the spectrum, sometimes the younger siblings can be a helper to them too. 

We used the phrase "your sister needs help using her words" to explain our behavior modeling/conversation....it was easier than trying to explain autism, or PDD, NOS.

When our girls were older and aware of the autism diagnosis, we still had to remind our older daughter why her sister overly reacted to unexpected accidents (a spilled glass of water).  She would invariably gasp wide-eyed and say "I forgot!" She was so used to and so close to her sister that she sometimes forgot that there was a disability. (parent side note: I never forget :)

So think about how your other children can be helpers to your child on the spectrum and how your child on the spectrum can enrich their siblings lives with their unique interests too.

You know I am going to say it :)...."remember to enjoy your child"....and all your children!

Calming Fidgets

 

 

About this time of year we all need a little calming.  For some of our kiddos a hand held video game is all they need.  However, in certain circumstances (or at school!) they need to find another way to help their anxiety settle.

 

I have found a few pictures of some fidgets that might be good stocking stuffers for your child for the holidays.  Or perhaps a new travel toy for a trip to visit relatives and friends.  You can google "fidgets for autism" and a tremendous variety appear....and here below are just a few examples.

 

 

 

 

 

What have you found that works for your child?