BlogHer - autism - Comments

...Some People Never Will

Shannon Des Roches Rosa — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:26:09 -0600

@Carmen But we can still keep trying, and talking and blogging about the accommodations our kids need -- sometimes people can't process past their defensiveness in the moment, though it sinks in later. Straight talk like that @Kristen cited helps, I think.

The holidays are also a time to let people know that the r-word, 'retarded,' is no longer acceptable. My brothers used the word countless times during their Christmas visit. I tried barbed humor, "I don't know, Leo, do you think what your uncle said was retarded?" but eventually had to ask them to please stop, and tell them why. Yet I have no doubt they still use it when my son or I are not around.

I have faith that the people in our kids' lives will come around eventually. I have to.

Shannon Des Roches Rosa
Squidalicious.com parenting first, autism second
CanISitWithYou.org real tales of schoolyard terror and triumph

Yes and Yes

Carmen S — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:54:04 -0600

"Sometimes, she just needs to be alone."

It's a refrain that I find myself repeating again and again - and sometimes, people STILL don't get it. I don't care, anymore - they can watch her melt down with me and then, maybe, they'll understand.

Or maybe not. Some people never will.

Another timely post!!

kristenspina — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:17:51 -0600

Thanks Shannon for such a timely post. Coping with the Holidays was the topic of our local special needs parents support group meeting this week. Someone handed out copies of this wonderful letter written by Viki Gayhardt. I had to google it to find the source, but it's worth reading. I love the way she phrases this:

"Sometimes I may seem rude and abrupt, but it is only because I have to try so hard to understand people and at the same time, make myself understood. people with autism have different abilities: some may not speak, some write beautiful poetry, others are whizzes in math (Albert Einstein was thought to be autistic), or have difficulty making friends. we are all different and need various degrees of support."

I've got an 8-yr-old

daisymayfattypants — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:17:32 -0600

at home who'd probably give away at least 100 Pokemon cards for that cake. He's a HUGE Totoro fan.

We loathe goody bags, too.

Cheers! Emily

Leo

BeckyOlivas — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:56:43 -0600

If every child in the world was celebrated for their uniqueness and showered with true love this way the world would be a better place.

Happy Birthday Leo!!!

Leo you are blessed to have parents who get what's important in this world.

WOW!

pstrunk — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:42:43 -0600

That is WONDERFUL!!! We aren't in birthday party land yet, but it is coming up soon! What a great way to spend the day...

Pia

http://jonathansvoice.blogspot.com

I made the cake, but my

Shannon Des Roches Rosa — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:09:52 -0600

I made the cake, but my friend Elaine made the cupcakes -- can't take credit for those. :)

Shannon Des Roches Rosa
Squidalicious.com parenting first, autism second
CanISitWithYou.org real tales of schoolyard terror and triumph

Love the Totoro-themed cake!

Average Jane — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:51:40 -0600

And the soot sprite cupcakes are a stroke of genius. :)

Delicious!

Niksmom — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:28:11 -0600

I love the idea that anything goes and no-holds-barred is the whole point of Leo's birthday. Clearly, it works well if those photos of his beautiful punim are evidence! :-) Here's wishing the happiest of birthday celebrations to all of you!

http://maternalinstincts.wordpress.com

Best wishes to your whole

InkAndPixelClub — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:15:34 -0600

Best wishes to your whole family for this very special day. And I have to say, judging by the Totoro cake, it looks like Leo has excellent taste in movies.

Sara

www.inkandpixelclub.com

Leo's Party

Michael Procopio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:50:45 -0600

Well, Leo's Mother, we all know how good you are with the homemade party favors. Is it weird that I got all teared up when I looked at Leo's coloring book (again)?

And, my good sweet Lord, who made that birthday cake?

Love this post!

deereed — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:57:58 -0600

Another great post. Plus I love the pics.

Leo Birthday party

flytyingtim — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:31:08 -0600

It is very joyful moments to hear about the Leo birthday celebaration with cute litte Leo Photo copy.

Big smile

Willful Woman — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:21:37 -0500

You're awesome. Just found you 'cause I posted my own Halloween tale here. Love the pix of Leo. What a lucky guy to have a mom like you. I really like your writing and with kids(and all kinds of other folks in my life) with their own quirks I appreciate the information and suggestions.

Always a... Willful Woman @ www.besidethestonewall.com Visitors always welcome! Bring your stories to share!

Good Read

aspergers2mom — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:31:53 -0500

Elise http://asd2mom.spaces.live.com

Always fun and informative to read your posts. Halloween was always a big scarey not-fun day for us in our house. Even to this day highschoolboy still hates it. Does not find enjoyment in being scared, costumes and the like. In fact as a small boy Halloween used to frighten him because he thought that all the people transformed into their scarey costumed characters. How's that for being a literal aspie?

BTW great pics.