Common Misconceptions About Autism

Before becoming a mother, I admittedly did not know a lot about Autism. When I thought about Autism, I pictured the very stereotypical blunt, robotic, routine driven individual. I did not understand how many of these are misconceptions about Autism. As my oldest daughter was creeping up on her second birthday it was suggested by …

We Don’t Need Awareness, We Need Acceptance

National Autism Awareness Month: We Don’t Need Awareness, We Need Acceptance. Many of you, whether or not you have anyone close to you who is autistic, have heard of Autism Awareness Month in April. Really, however, we do not need to be aware of Autism. So many are aware of Autism. What is needed is …

How to Interact with the Autistic child in Your Family Over the Holidays

With most neurodiverse children, like Autistic children, the Christmas season can be very overwhelming. This overwhelm can be hard for any neurotypical child or adult to understand. There are many different ways during the holidays to make sure the Autistic child in your family is not completely left out and ignored due to their differences. …

The Social Construct of Disability: Reframing Your Thoughts!

There are many things we’ve known, grown up knowing, and just thought were fact, that are social constructs. Our society works in a way that tells us one thing is just the way it is when, other societies do or see things differently. For instance, gender is a social construct because biologically there are not just two sexes but many genetic possibilities. What it means to be feminine, and masculine is a social construct because those definitions differ depending on the society and culture you’re in. This is true also for disability. What is considered a disability depends on society and is made true by the norms and practices of society.

The Difference Between a Meltdown and Tantrum

After my daughter’s diagnosis there was a whole new world we were thrown into I really didn’t understand. That is the world of Autism and Neurodiversity. The world of sensory overload and meltdowns. Before becoming a mother, I was the typical naïve and judgmental person in the store. The person that did not understand why …

6 Lessons I’ve Learned Raising My Autistic Daughter

As a parent, when your child is first diagnosed autistic and you have no previous understanding, experience, or knowledge of it, learning and knowing where to start can be daunting. You will find all kinds of voices out there. People claiming, they have a cure for autism. People claiming vaccines caused their child’s autism; and …

Your Children Deserve Privacy Too: Do Not Share

Just over a year ago my daughter was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have been doing all I can to learn about Autism and specifically learn from the #actuallyautistic community. There are, however, some things I see that should not be just mentioned in regard to neuro-diverse children. For instance, recently I have seen several …

I Am Not An Autism Mom, I Am a Mother of An Autistic Daughter

Not even a year ago my daughter was diagnosed as on the Autism Spectrum. They gave me a diagnosis with levels. As if they can quantify some measurable ability in her. Since then, and even for some time before her diagnosis, I was working on learning what I can about Autism. One thing I have …

10 Ways to be an Advocate for Your Special Needs Child

There are many things to consider when you have a child with special needs. Whether it is known as soon as they are born, or any delays become apparent as they grow older it can be a huge learning curve. The processes of helping your child can be overwhelming, isolating, and frustrating. Depending on the …

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Discipline Methods That Do Not Work For Us

Every child is different and every child with Autism Spectrum Disorder is no exception to the rule. There are many different discipline methods out there. You’ll hear all kinds of advice, solicited or not, about what to do to discipline and change certain behaviors in your child. Those people, however, no matter if they are …