Sunday, May 27, 2012
April 27th, 2011 - Thirteen Months Later...O to be a funny looking tree!
On April 27, 2011, tornados ripped through my home state of Alabama. Every town in Alabama that I had ever lived in was hit by these deadly twisters, including my current home of Tuscaloosa. Although my home and family were spared the wrath of these storms, so many were not as lucky as me. You cannot drive through many parts of this state without still seeing the massive destruction left even 13 months later.
Every day at work at the hospital, I look out a window that faces the destruction of Tuscaloosa and think about what happened that day and how over 50 people lost their lives as a result of the storm. Beside this window is a picture that was taken from the exact location 13 months ago. Those who were standing there watching, say it was headed straight for the hospital but turned at the last minute, giving only a glancing blow. I am left to wonder what would have happened to my town if the hospital had been hit.
Tuscaloosa is coming back but there are still so many reminders of that day. I remember going through the damaged areas door to door providing care in those first few days, and those images will be with me for my life. But what sticks with me the most is seeing these huge trees pulled up from their roots and tossed about by the winds. Some trees withstood the winds though, even some that took a direct hit, and I remember wondering why that tree did not fall. Somewhere along the recovery path, I began to feel a bond with some of those funny looking trees. What was so special about the tree that it kept standing? Why was my home and family spared the death and destruction that so many others were facing? I have watched these trees over the last 13 months and have celebrated every new bloom and leaf that has indicated new life coming back. So many of us, whatever we are struggling with, whether it be autism or loss of relationship or loved one, can relate to these strong trees. And as I drive by these special funny looking trees, I pray...
Thank you God for my roots. My family gives me strength to make it through every day, and I am firmly planted in God's love. No matter the highs or lows, whatever storm comes for me, I am a child of God and I know that when my eyes close here in death, I will be rejoicing with my Saviour for eternity.
Thank you God for my bark. My armour shields me against many attacks, but sometimes, like those trees, the storms take my protection away and I, laid bare, must rely again on you for my protection instead of myself.
Thank you God for my new growth. I praise You when the bad parts of me are taken away. Sometimes I have things in my life that although not bad, prevent me from the better plan you have for me, and therefore are necessary to be pruned away. Those hurt deeply, but you rain down new blessings upon me that lead to new growth and a closer walk with You.
O, to be a funny looking tree!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
The Great I Am...Easter 2012
Today's sermon for Easter was about Hope. Where and who do we put our hope in? What do we hope for? My hope has been in my Lord since I believed in Him and turned my life over so many years ago. My hope for my children to know Christ had been present from the first moment I knew I was pregnant, but it was almost destroyed when I was told my child had autism. How does a child with autism understand God? My son has such a concrete brain and the thought of him understanding something that he can't touch has been a stumbling block in my own faith since he was diagnosed with autism over 4 years ago. God has been working on me about this weakness in my faith for a long time and I had come to believe again that God could reach my child, but I didn't know how. My heart has been feeling the need to talk to my son more and more about God recently and today at church while singing the song "The Great I Am", my prayers for God to make himself known to my son through the death and resurrection of His Son reached a new level of urgency. I was overcome by emotion and there is no telling what people were thinking, but I didn't care. I was in the presence of my Savior and He was all I needed. In those moments, I could see where my son was in the church and I knew God was there with Him making Himself known. Opening up the first glimpse into His Being and telling my son about His Son. God spoke to my heart and gave me a peace that surpasses understanding. I knew that the process of God opening up my son's heart to Him was started. I prayed fervently for God to use me in my son coming to know Him. After Church, I went to the computer to find a video of the song and came across a youtube version that someone had created of the song to the Jesus video. My son came and watched it with me and asked lots of questions. He learns so much more through seeing than hearing and I know the video spoke to him on a new level. He even asked to watch it again hours later.
As I rejoice knowing that God is at work here in my son's heart, I am left a little ashamed that I have not been as fervent in my prayers for all the lost. God, help me to see the lost as you do and to have the same urgency for their salvation as I have for my son. Now if that happens for us all who profess to be saved by Christ's blood, then we are in for a mighty change!
Lyrics: "I wanna be close, close to your side. So Heaven is real, and death is a lie. I wanna hear voices of angels above, singing as one...(chorus)Hallelujah, Holy, Holy, God Almighty, the Great I Am. Who is Worthy? None beside Thee. God Almighty, The Great I Am. I wanna be near, near to Your heart. Loving the world, hating the dark. I want to see dry bones living again, singing as one...(chorus)... The mountains shake before Him, the demons run and flee at the mention of the name, King of Majesty...There is no power in hell, or any who can stand before the power and the presence of the Great I Am.
As I rejoice knowing that God is at work here in my son's heart, I am left a little ashamed that I have not been as fervent in my prayers for all the lost. God, help me to see the lost as you do and to have the same urgency for their salvation as I have for my son. Now if that happens for us all who profess to be saved by Christ's blood, then we are in for a mighty change!
Lyrics: "I wanna be close, close to your side. So Heaven is real, and death is a lie. I wanna hear voices of angels above, singing as one...(chorus)Hallelujah, Holy, Holy, God Almighty, the Great I Am. Who is Worthy? None beside Thee. God Almighty, The Great I Am. I wanna be near, near to Your heart. Loving the world, hating the dark. I want to see dry bones living again, singing as one...(chorus)... The mountains shake before Him, the demons run and flee at the mention of the name, King of Majesty...There is no power in hell, or any who can stand before the power and the presence of the Great I Am.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
God, Darkness, and Spiritual ADD
This weekend is the women's retreat for my church in Columbus, Mississippi. By falling on the weekend of the official start of basketball practice, I felt like there was not going to be a way for me to go. Then we find out that Friday's workouts were going to be early, and I felt that I could drive there and back for at least Friday night's session. Then practice got moved back two hours and I was tempted to just not go as it meant that my husband would have to have the kids at practice, but he was okay with that so I dropped the kids off and started off to spend some time with some godly ladies. Even though it was daylight and I had an address and GPS, I still managed to get lost because I did not see a sign that told me to turn. Luckily I still made it in time, and was there to hear God's word spoken to my heart, and even though I was only able to participate in a small part of the weekend, I felt like God had me there with a purpose to speak those words to me. The women that were staying had been challenged to not speak in the morning when they awoke until they all gathered for breakfast and to use that time to have quiet time with God. I knew that was not going to be possible for me at home, so I decided to use the drive back for my quiet time. Upon leaving late last night, I was determined not to get lost on my way home or repeat the errors I had made on my way there. I was on a road that was unfamiliar in the dark and I wasn't sure where I was going, so the darkness actually sharpened my focus. I had to be aware of every twist and turn in the road and rely on my lights to see the path in front of me. I was no longer distracted by the things on the side of the road because I couldn't see them in the dark like I could in the light. With my improved focus, I was easily able to make it home without getting lost.
Sometimes, we travel dark pathways in life. For those that know Christ as their personal saviour, God can use the darkness of our situations to help us focus our eyes on His light and not be distracted by other things until He leads us safely home to an eternity with Him. The path of autism has some days in the light and some in the dark, and for many parents, they become lost in the dark without hope of ever getting back to the light. Don't give up hope in the dark times, but rather think of the darkness as God's spiritual Adderall that is sharpening our focus on His Light that is leading us home.
Sometimes, we travel dark pathways in life. For those that know Christ as their personal saviour, God can use the darkness of our situations to help us focus our eyes on His light and not be distracted by other things until He leads us safely home to an eternity with Him. The path of autism has some days in the light and some in the dark, and for many parents, they become lost in the dark without hope of ever getting back to the light. Don't give up hope in the dark times, but rather think of the darkness as God's spiritual Adderall that is sharpening our focus on His Light that is leading us home.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
ASD and me
Three years ago, my world was rocked by three little letters. The letters ASD changed my life forever in a few short moments as my oldest son Will was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Hearing the diagnosis itself actually wasn’t a shock to me. There had been a six month waiting list to get tested and during that time, I felt as if I had searched the web from start to finish and already knew in my heart what the tests would show. What really sticks in my brain is the first moment that someone mentioned that we needed to get him tested for autism. Even as a physician, what I knew of autism was fairly vague and I was shocked how much I didn’t know. How could I miss something so huge in my own child? Through my web searches, slowly but surely the realization that my son had autism settled in my heart, and with that conclusion, I grieved for everything I had dreamed for him from the moment that I first held him. My son was still the same that he had been before the diagnosis, but I was the one changed. I struggled to talk to other moms, especially when they were telling stories about their “normal” children. How could I explain to others what I didn’t understand myself at the time? I was still struggling with my own expectations and learning how to guide my son through his own struggles. I felt lost as a mother, not knowing how to parent a child with autism. Suddenly, the basics of parenting weren’t applicable and I had to start over and learn how to get my child to listen and to make eye contact, learning the difference between an over stimulated anxiety attack versus a three year old tantrum. I was on constant guard, hoping to prevent a meltdown and feeling completely helpless when one occurred.
My biggest fear of all was that God couldn’t penetrate my son’s world and make Himself known. As I began to make great leaps in understanding my son’s way of processing the world around him and by watching him overcome so much, I was no longer afraid that God wouldn’t be able to reach my son and I repented that I had put limits on a limitless God. I know that autism had made me a better mother, growing my patience and appreciation of the daily victories, and I know that God has something special and wonderful planned for my son. Will changes people’s minds and hearts with an amazing perspective on the world that draws people to him. Understanding and hope are fostered through love and relationship. The ministry of Tuscaloosa Autism Education through Capstone Church was formed to raise awareness and bring hope to those affected by autism. Now God has put a passion in my heart for making others aware of autism. Currently 1 in 110 children (1 in 70 boys) have autism. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined! Children with autism have a delay or abnormal function of social interactions, language, symbolic or imaginative play. They tend to have no filter; they see and hear things that we don’t pay attention to. How hard it must be to focus when you see and hear EVERYTHING all at once. There is no way to tell a child has autism from their appearance, so when a meltdown occurs in public, many people look at you and your child as if you have 3 heads and are the worst parent in the world. I hope that through awareness and relationship, more people will think twice before judging those of us affected by autism and offer a helping hand instead of parenting advice. My beautiful boy lives in a world that is full of stimuli that hurts him, but he goes into it every day and tries to be a part of it. I can’t protect him from sensory overload all the time, but I continue to try and fight along with him.
Last year, I began to notice some of the warning signs of autism in my youngest son Jake. I had the overwhelming urge to say “God, please don’t put this on me too.” Then I cried for Jake but not myself. I was no longer afraid of autism, as I was when facing the diagnosis with Will. I mourned that my second child might have to face the same struggles as his older brother. God comforted me in my grief and my new attitude about autism was born. My response to the possibility of fighting these battles against autism with Jake also was “Bring it on!” and I became the warrior mom. As much as I had learned for Will’s battles, I knew I still had more to learn to help Jake maneuver these waters of autism if I was to have any chance to prevent autism in my youngest child. By going on the attack and starting therapies at such an early age, we are thrilled that Jake is without signs of autism at this time.
In spite of the autism, or better said, because of the autism, God has great plans for my boys and for me and I trust that He will see those through; and I promise to not get in the way with my doubts and fears. God keeps my hopes soaring and my expectations in check so that I rejoice in the daily victories and don’t despair in the temporary defeats. Raise your swords fellow warrior moms and let’s go battle for our children! See you on the frontlines...
My biggest fear of all was that God couldn’t penetrate my son’s world and make Himself known. As I began to make great leaps in understanding my son’s way of processing the world around him and by watching him overcome so much, I was no longer afraid that God wouldn’t be able to reach my son and I repented that I had put limits on a limitless God. I know that autism had made me a better mother, growing my patience and appreciation of the daily victories, and I know that God has something special and wonderful planned for my son. Will changes people’s minds and hearts with an amazing perspective on the world that draws people to him. Understanding and hope are fostered through love and relationship. The ministry of Tuscaloosa Autism Education through Capstone Church was formed to raise awareness and bring hope to those affected by autism. Now God has put a passion in my heart for making others aware of autism. Currently 1 in 110 children (1 in 70 boys) have autism. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined! Children with autism have a delay or abnormal function of social interactions, language, symbolic or imaginative play. They tend to have no filter; they see and hear things that we don’t pay attention to. How hard it must be to focus when you see and hear EVERYTHING all at once. There is no way to tell a child has autism from their appearance, so when a meltdown occurs in public, many people look at you and your child as if you have 3 heads and are the worst parent in the world. I hope that through awareness and relationship, more people will think twice before judging those of us affected by autism and offer a helping hand instead of parenting advice. My beautiful boy lives in a world that is full of stimuli that hurts him, but he goes into it every day and tries to be a part of it. I can’t protect him from sensory overload all the time, but I continue to try and fight along with him.
Last year, I began to notice some of the warning signs of autism in my youngest son Jake. I had the overwhelming urge to say “God, please don’t put this on me too.” Then I cried for Jake but not myself. I was no longer afraid of autism, as I was when facing the diagnosis with Will. I mourned that my second child might have to face the same struggles as his older brother. God comforted me in my grief and my new attitude about autism was born. My response to the possibility of fighting these battles against autism with Jake also was “Bring it on!” and I became the warrior mom. As much as I had learned for Will’s battles, I knew I still had more to learn to help Jake maneuver these waters of autism if I was to have any chance to prevent autism in my youngest child. By going on the attack and starting therapies at such an early age, we are thrilled that Jake is without signs of autism at this time.
In spite of the autism, or better said, because of the autism, God has great plans for my boys and for me and I trust that He will see those through; and I promise to not get in the way with my doubts and fears. God keeps my hopes soaring and my expectations in check so that I rejoice in the daily victories and don’t despair in the temporary defeats. Raise your swords fellow warrior moms and let’s go battle for our children! See you on the frontlines...
Monday, February 7, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
one autism mom's perspective
I am burdened for the autism community. We all have different stories with similar themes. We truly have been in each other's shoes and know how difficult it is going down the road we travel. This week's report of the mother from Modesto, California who stabbed her 13 year old son with autism multiple times has really made me wonder about how fragile life can be. This was NOT a bad mother. She was by all accounts, an autism advocate who tried to move mountains to help her son. What happened to her and can it happen to any of us? What can we do different?
This week, the autism community in Tuscaloosa held our annual "Evening of Art...and Autism" to benefit the Arts 'n Autism program. Hopefully we all had a fun night of enjoying the children's artwork and socializing. More than that though, it is my prayer that the people of Tuscaloosa will learn more about autism and the needs of the autism community.
I was asked several times heading into this event why supporting the Arts 'n Autism program was so important to me. Yes, I love the opportunities afforded my child through the AnA program. He is really loving his ukulele, photography, and yoga lessons this semester! But more than that, I have full knowledge that there is a group of caregivers that love my child, understand him, and don't judge him. The program takes it beyond that to even care for the families of those affected by autism. They never turn a child away for not being able to pay the afterschool program fee. The money from the fundraisers goes to provide these scholarships along with funding technology that will help children who cannot communicate finally be able to express themselves. The program needs the money to fund new programs like the photography program that allow a child to show the world through his or her eyes and express their personality in new and wondrous ways. The people at AnA support these children, many of which have been told they couldn't participate in regular activities at their schools. They support our support group, they care for our children with respite care so that couples can spend time together strengthening marriages and relationships, they work with our children during all church services so that we can worship without worry. Hopefully and prayerfully, the love and support of our Arts 'n Autism program will keep Tuscaloosa from being the topic of any story like the one from Modesto California this week. It is just one autism mom's perspective, but please support the hope that the Arts 'n Autism program brings to this community.
www.artsnautism.org
Email: artsnautism@gmail.com
Address: Arts ‘n Autism, Inc.
c/o Covenant Presbyterian Church
113 Hargrove Road
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 758-1193
This week, the autism community in Tuscaloosa held our annual "Evening of Art...and Autism" to benefit the Arts 'n Autism program. Hopefully we all had a fun night of enjoying the children's artwork and socializing. More than that though, it is my prayer that the people of Tuscaloosa will learn more about autism and the needs of the autism community.
I was asked several times heading into this event why supporting the Arts 'n Autism program was so important to me. Yes, I love the opportunities afforded my child through the AnA program. He is really loving his ukulele, photography, and yoga lessons this semester! But more than that, I have full knowledge that there is a group of caregivers that love my child, understand him, and don't judge him. The program takes it beyond that to even care for the families of those affected by autism. They never turn a child away for not being able to pay the afterschool program fee. The money from the fundraisers goes to provide these scholarships along with funding technology that will help children who cannot communicate finally be able to express themselves. The program needs the money to fund new programs like the photography program that allow a child to show the world through his or her eyes and express their personality in new and wondrous ways. The people at AnA support these children, many of which have been told they couldn't participate in regular activities at their schools. They support our support group, they care for our children with respite care so that couples can spend time together strengthening marriages and relationships, they work with our children during all church services so that we can worship without worry. Hopefully and prayerfully, the love and support of our Arts 'n Autism program will keep Tuscaloosa from being the topic of any story like the one from Modesto California this week. It is just one autism mom's perspective, but please support the hope that the Arts 'n Autism program brings to this community.
www.artsnautism.org
Email: artsnautism@gmail.com
Address: Arts ‘n Autism, Inc.
c/o Covenant Presbyterian Church
113 Hargrove Road
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 758-1193
Monday, September 13, 2010
Link between autism and vaccines
interesting...what does everyone think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsnlifYuhBQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsnlifYuhBQ
Thursday, September 9, 2010
New information/updates
We will not be having our autism workshop this month due to the suspected craziness of the Penn State game. I had wanted to move it to the next Saturday but Dr. Sears is coming to Birmingham that day and I didn't want people to miss either! So we will have it in October and it will been on the third Saturday morning since I will be at the next DAN conference on the second Saturday of October. Hoping to share everything I learn when I get back!!
Here is a link to learn more about our ministry...
http://capstonechurch.org/#/compassion/autism-education
Here is a link to learn more about our ministry...
http://capstonechurch.org/#/compassion/autism-education
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
wishing...
Sat down at computer with too many thoughts running through my mind. I started searching for some good GFCFEF (gluten free, casein free, egg free) food for my son with autism. Everything that was listed as the best gluten free baked goods were not egg free, and I just started wishing that feeding my child food that would be good for him could be just a little easier, and cheaper! Then started down that pity party path and wished I had a few more hours in the day to get things done, to feel like I am ahead of schedule on things instead of rushing to finish them on time, to not feel like I am in the deep end of the pool treading water but rather in the kiddie pool with sure ground under my feet. Then finally got outside of myself and started wishing for others...wishing that someone, anyone, could find a way to help stop autism...which of course brought me here to my blog, aka, my therapy session of words. Whenever I feel defeated, I can type my feelings and regain my strength. I am not created to be lost...I am in this world with a purpose and I am blessed beyond words. I have all I can wish for because of the love that is in my life, love of my God and family that gives me the strength to be Warrior Mom. To all those moms out there that are feeling lost, in the words of Dory the fish, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming" and remember that the highs only feel so good because of the lows that you've gone through!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Another School Year About to Begin
Am I the only one that felt like summer break went by so fast? Tomorrow, school will begin again and my six year old with Asperger's will start first grade. He is so excited, and has no idea of the preparation that has gone into trying to help him adjust to a new routine. We have talked to his teachers, we have made "dry runs" through his schedule at school so he knows what to expect, we got his GFCFEF snacks ready, we have been hyping start of school all summer; but starting tomorrow, it is still going to be a new routine, new class, new teacher, new students that will ultimately be up to him to adjust to. As parents, we want to guide our children in the right ways but a part of us also wants to keep them from ALL harms...We can do the best we can, but we still have to let them experience life, which sometimes includes painful experiences. In order to help him and other children on the spectrum, we are holding our next autism workshop this Saturday at Capstone Church. We will focus on ways to help teach and care for children on the spectrum. Several therapists/physicians/parents will be available to discuss and answer questions for those that are interested in learning more. If you have a loved one on the spectrum, please let his or her teachers/child care workers/medical personnel know about our little workshop.
Details: Tuscaloosa Autism Education
Capstone Church 9am to 10am on August 14th
Details: Tuscaloosa Autism Education
Capstone Church 9am to 10am on August 14th
Thursday, July 22, 2010
My heart is crushed...
After reading this article, I am crushed beyond words. Yes, the woman was sick and will face her jury, but the bigger question here is why? We have so many that don't realize what autism is, that it is treatable, and that these wonderful children are blessings. Please everyone read these words and learn more about autism and how there is so much that an autistic child can offer this world if you just listen with your heart instead of with your ears...
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/21/texas-mom-says-killed-kids-austistic/
To educate and spread awareness is my battle cry and the reason why I started Tuscaloosa Autism Education. We will be having our next workshop on August 14th, focusing this month on child care workers/caregivers to learn more about how best to interact, teach, and play with autistic children. Come learn and see all that these kids have to offer! If you are a parent of an autistic child, please let your child's teachers, medical office personnel, etc come out and learn more so that they will be better caregivers and hopefully gain a better understanding of the ways our auties' brains work.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/21/texas-mom-says-killed-kids-austistic/
To educate and spread awareness is my battle cry and the reason why I started Tuscaloosa Autism Education. We will be having our next workshop on August 14th, focusing this month on child care workers/caregivers to learn more about how best to interact, teach, and play with autistic children. Come learn and see all that these kids have to offer! If you are a parent of an autistic child, please let your child's teachers, medical office personnel, etc come out and learn more so that they will be better caregivers and hopefully gain a better understanding of the ways our auties' brains work.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Stand Up For Autism
This is my first year participating in the Stand Up for Autism committee. I have never been to an event before, but I've seen the footage and am looking forward to listening to these funny guys and Roger Schultz from the biggest loser! This week, however, the phrase "stand up for autism" became real to me in a new way.
A friend at work approached me because she thinks that a child she knows has autism and she is afraid of mentioning it to the mother, a good friend of hers. I encouraged her to read from my binder of autism info to see if it confirmed her feelings or not. She came back saying how much she had learned from the reading and that she truly believes that this child has autism and has not been diagnosed. She is afraid of what her friend will say though, so I shared with her the story of the amazing angel that brought it to my attention that my son needed to be tested. I told her that of course immediately I felt angry that she could think anything was wrong with my precious child. Even as a physician, I still didn't know enough about Autism to see the signs. I was too close to step back and really observe my child's unusual play patterns, as most parents are. The more I learned, the more I recognized those patterns in my child. I told my friend that the lady who suggested I get my son tested, also never let me bury my head in the sand and kept after me to get him tested. I found lots of excuses to put off the tests at first! Now that my son is getting the therapy and interventions he needs, he has a chance to improve his future. A future that wouldn't have been possible without that wonderful lady who had enough courage to tell me what she saw in my son that I had been blind to.
Educate - Don't miss the signs!!! Don't rely on physicians to catch the signs, a well child exam relies heavily on the parents to bring problems to the doctor's attention. Children don't always talk a lot at the visits and the doctor may assume the child is shy and if the parent doesn't think anything is wrong at home, then the doctor will not usually question further.
Advocate - Don't be afraid to "stand up for autism"! We are those children's voices. Be strong and courageous. The autism won't go away if we don't talk about it. We can't ignore it any longer!
Love - Don't forget to appreciate the small victories. Our "auties" have so much love to give and are so much fun.
AUTISM- educate, advocate, and love is where we start so that we can finally get some answers on what causes autism and how to stop it.
A friend at work approached me because she thinks that a child she knows has autism and she is afraid of mentioning it to the mother, a good friend of hers. I encouraged her to read from my binder of autism info to see if it confirmed her feelings or not. She came back saying how much she had learned from the reading and that she truly believes that this child has autism and has not been diagnosed. She is afraid of what her friend will say though, so I shared with her the story of the amazing angel that brought it to my attention that my son needed to be tested. I told her that of course immediately I felt angry that she could think anything was wrong with my precious child. Even as a physician, I still didn't know enough about Autism to see the signs. I was too close to step back and really observe my child's unusual play patterns, as most parents are. The more I learned, the more I recognized those patterns in my child. I told my friend that the lady who suggested I get my son tested, also never let me bury my head in the sand and kept after me to get him tested. I found lots of excuses to put off the tests at first! Now that my son is getting the therapy and interventions he needs, he has a chance to improve his future. A future that wouldn't have been possible without that wonderful lady who had enough courage to tell me what she saw in my son that I had been blind to.
Educate - Don't miss the signs!!! Don't rely on physicians to catch the signs, a well child exam relies heavily on the parents to bring problems to the doctor's attention. Children don't always talk a lot at the visits and the doctor may assume the child is shy and if the parent doesn't think anything is wrong at home, then the doctor will not usually question further.
Advocate - Don't be afraid to "stand up for autism"! We are those children's voices. Be strong and courageous. The autism won't go away if we don't talk about it. We can't ignore it any longer!
Love - Don't forget to appreciate the small victories. Our "auties" have so much love to give and are so much fun.
AUTISM- educate, advocate, and love is where we start so that we can finally get some answers on what causes autism and how to stop it.
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