“Achoooo-ski!” – “Na Zdrowie!”

I’ve been sick for almost a week now with what appears to be the Cold from Hell. I’m sure it’s got an actual official name such as Coldus Luciferus, but Cold from Hell works too. Being sick isn’t even the worst part though. I also happen to be Polish (as in, I was born in [...]

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Autism Parents: Common Myths and Misconceptions about Moms and Dads Raising Kids on the Spectrum

  When Andrew was first diagnosed with autism in 2004, I remember feeling incredibly alone. Back then, autism was rarely discussed (negatively or positively) in mainstream media (or anywhere for that matter) and I was desperate  to connect with other parents who were on a similar journey.  I quickly discovered a wonderful group of fellow [...]

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Autistic People Should Be Free to Flap

Andrew, mid-flap

“Quiet hands, Andrew.” “Andrew, quiet hands.” I can’t count how many times those words passed through my lips the first few years after Andrew’s autism diagnosis. The people with the official paperwork attached to official clipboards told me it was the right thing to do. It will help him fit in. Flapping is an inappropriate [...]

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Help! (From a Mom on Behalf of Her Autistic Son)

  I’m sending out a distress signal. I know you’re out there somewhere and I need your help. My son Andrew is hurting himself, and I cannot get him to stop. Neither can my husband. Or anyone else for that matter. We’ve tried mittens and gloves and squeezes and shiny things. We’ve tried massages and [...]

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Everyone Deserves (Another) Chance to Learn the Alphabet

It was one of those mornings: too much to do in too little time, and I found myself feeling slightly annoyed as I joined the back of a long line at my local overcrowded Starbucks. Extra foam. No whip. Triple shot. Not too hot. Not too cold. Nonfat. 2%. Soy. Every single order seemed more [...]

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2013 Parents Blog Awards: I’m a Finalist! Now Go Vote for Me!

Parents Blog Award Finalist

I don’t often ask for much in the way of favors around here, but seeing as how you’ve been hanging around rent-free for so long, I think it’s high time you earned your keep and did me a solid, don’t you? I’m one of five finalists in the “Most likely to have you reaching for [...]

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No Pity Parties Please for My Son and His Special Needs Brother

He hasn’t heard the words yet but I have. “I feel so sorry for him,” they’ve said, right to my face, their tones casual, as if they’ve just announced their coffee is stale instead of making unsolicited assertions about the well-being of my youngest son Ian. He hasn’t seen the pity in their eyes, too [...]

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My Son Has Autism. Please Don’t Be Afraid.

This is my son Andrew. He has autism. He loves the ocean garbage trucks bounce houses stained glass windows his brother Ian the tractors from CARS getting raspberries from his daddy being helpful Jesus and his iPad Andrew has autism. He may be different in a lot of ways, but he is most certainly not [...]

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Glitter – Not Guns – in Classrooms

Photo courtesy Morguefile.com On any given day, the average school teacher can and will spot at least half a dozen potential dangers lurking around her classroom and on  campus. Rogue staples, scissors pointing in the wrong direction, untied laces threatening to bring a game of tag to a teary end. These are the normal hazards [...]

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Newtown: On Guilt, Grief, and Gratitude

There is something comforting about his silence. Now especially, as I’ve been rendered speechless by the horrors that transpired on the grounds of Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday, I find myself drawn to him, the quiet space I desperately try to penetrate each day a welcome reprieve from the noises and wails of the [...]

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