Special needs

In this world of special needs, I find myself compelled to offer advice on IEP questions when my new-found friends ask them. I can’t stop myself. I can feel their anxiety. I understand their fears. I relate to their worries. From a teacher’s perspective, the things I want for my child are almost unreasonable. Almost. If Alexander went to school right now, he would be non-verbal. This is one of my biggest fears. He will not be able to tell me about his day. The twins, at age 3, with their muddled version of reality, can at least give me a inkling of their day. They can tell me if they saw someone or what they had to eat.  Read more >

Many autism organizations are celebrating April as Autism Awareness Month. But others, especially those in which autistic people have a say, are celebrating Autism Acceptance Month instead. Why? Because Autism Awareness doesn't really help autistic people in general, and kids like my son Leo specifically. It makes it too easy for well-meaning people to feel they are "doing something" about autism if they wear a blue ribbon or buy a blue light bulb -- when neither of those actions translate to real-world benefits and support for autistics and autism families.  Read more >

My husband and I decided to share with you one of many challenges we’ve faced in our marriage and the lessons we learned with hopes to encourage any of you who may find yourself in a similar situation. Like any good story, I have to start from the beginning. When my son was first diagnosed with mental illness, my husband and I took two very different paths to cope.  Read more >

Obviously, I'm feeling angry and confrontational. Explosively so. With good reason: George Hodgins, a young autistic man from my son's school, was murdered by his mother Elizabeth (who then committed suicide) earlier this month. Mainstream media reports have focused almost exclusively on how difficult life was for his mother, framing parents killing disabled children as an understandable tragedy, while parents killing typical children is considered a preventable tragedy. And I am telling you right now, it doesn't matter how difficult parenting is, a parent killing their child is never justifiable.  Read more >

Many people seem to arrive at my website through an autism or Asperger’s internet search. I’ve seen everything from “my autistic son walks in circles” to “I hate my autistic child.” As you can imagine, it hurts my heart when I see some of the more upsetting search terms. When I first saw the search about hating their child, I immediately began a blog post addressing it, but I stopped myself half-way in. The truth is, I can understand that moment, when you are so angry and hopeless and powerless over your situation and you feel such huge, overwhelming emotions and you desperately seek relief or answers. I probably have turned to the internet on more than one occasion, searching for similar help. I get it.  Read more >