Empowering the Autism Community with blogs, videos, news and more

In honor of the month of April, long-time AutismSpot friend and cheerleader, Maureen Bordelon, has offered to share some guest blog posts with us from her Autism Hat Rack. Last week, Maureen's Good Luck Hat post about receiving a diagnosis and a little "good luck" as she was pushed out the door of the pediatrician's office, really hit home with many of our readers; I encourage you to read it if you haven't yet. Today, I'm pleased to share another amazing guest post from Maureen - this one about siblings and how their lives are changed as they grow up with affected siblings. Enjoy!
The Siblings' Hat
By Maureen Bordelon
This is not a Hat I wear, but hats our children wear for their little brother. I could go on and on about how proud I am of our children - all three, but things are best said in the words of a child.
A few years back, Kent Potter, founder of AutismSpot.com, interviewed our two older kids on camera, Gregory (age 12 at the time) and Danielle (age 6 at the time) for the site. (Note: Both kids have asked me to clarify that this video took place before braces and retainers!) Kent asked the kids about having a brother with Autism and what is was like. The goal was to share with other Autism siblings so they could relate to each other.

I AM IN HERE - Author Interview Part 2

submitted by lawilcox

If you missed Part 1 of my interview with Virginia G. Breen last week, you can read it HERE. The book she wrote with her daughter, Elizabeth M. Bonker, I AM IN HERE is a must read! I hope you enjoy Part 2 of our interview below. ~Leigh
LAW: You state in the book that it isn’t enough to be a persistent parent when raising a child with autism…that instead you’ve found that being relentless is a must. I adore the 10 Rules you created for yourself. Can you share a little about that thought process so that other parents might create their own “rules” to live by?
VGB: I really appreciate how you understand that these are my Rules and how we each have to make our own. For me, it’s important to recognize upfront that being a parent of a special needs child is hard (Rule #1: Survive) but also full of joy (Rule #9: Celebrate Your Victories) if you make the right choices (Rule #10: Be a Victor, Not a Victim). I just tried to think about what was important to Elizabeth’s success and what it means to be a relentless parent including being upbeat (Rule #8) and keeping her dreams alive (Rule #7). Elizabeth says it more poetically:

Bargain Classroom Prize Box: A Product Review

submitted by Craig

Product Name: Bargain Classroom Prize Box – Set of 100
Price: $29.99 + Shipping
Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Company Name: Achievement Products
Company Website>/strong>: www.achievement-products.com
Company Phone Number: 1-800-373-4699

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Wed, 04/11/2012 - 20:13

Circle Of Life

submitted by juliehornok

When I hear the words “circle of life,” my brain clicks to Elton John belting out,
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
and I picture Simba’s dad from the Lion King holding him up with pride, presenting him to the entire world. This is so sweet and sentimental, how can you not love it?
One afternoon, the words “circle of life” took on a whole new meaning. The circle of life was not only sweet and sentimental, but could also be downright hilarious.

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Wed, 04/11/2012 - 08:16

Preparing Your Child for the Dentist, the Doctor, the Barber Shop, for Birthday Parties and More!

submitted by Craig

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Mon, 04/09/2012 - 20:57

BULLY– Documentary Review & Recommendation

submitted by lawilcox

Almost two weeks ago I previewed a documentary set to hit theaters this Friday. BULLY, a documentary by Sundance and Emmy-award winning filmmaker Lee Hirshman, is a film every parent needs to see. It is also a film I believe most teens need to see, too.
Many of us raising children with special needs experience sleepless nights worrying about how our kids are treated by peers and even other adults while at school and other activities…about how it will affect them – physically and mentally. This film addresses the toll bullying takes on children, teens and families by following three kids over the course of a school year (Alex, Kelby & Ja’Meya), but it doesn’t stop there.

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Mon, 04/09/2012 - 09:50

Let's Get Independent!

submitted by kidspeak

One of the most common day-to-day worries that parents, teachers, caregivers and therapists face each and every day is wondering if their child with special needs will be independent later in life. The key to promoting independence for your child when they are older is to start working on independence at an early age. A natural way to do this is through activities of daily life (ADL’s).

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Fri, 04/06/2012 - 10:17

I AM IN HERE – Book Review and Author Interview

submitted by lawilcox

With this post, I am thrilled to bring you a brief book review and Part 1 of an interview series with Virgina G. Breen who co-wrote I AM IN HERE: The Journey of a Child with Autism Who Cannot Speak but Finds Her Voice with her daughter Elizabeth M. Bonker.

When I started the book, I expected to be touched and inspired – I just didn’t expect to be absolutely blown away by the depth of Elizabeth’s profound poetry and Virginia’s expertly crafted story of loss, healing, hope and joy (enterwined amongst Elizabeth’s poems). I found myself deeply immersed in Virginia’s story and brought to tears many times by Elizabeth’s thoughts and words in black-and-white on paper; words she was unable to express before she learned to communicate through letter boards and later keyboarding.
For any parent of a child, teen or young adult with an Autism Spectrum Disorder struggling to find their voice, this book is an absolute must read! You’ll get a taste of Elizabeth’s profound poetry (and her after-thoughts about her poems in italics) below in my interview with Virginia, but you need to read the whole book…trust me.

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Thu, 04/05/2012 - 11:57

Guest Blog: The Good Luck Hat

submitted by lawilcox

Throughout April, we are going to bring you some select guest blog posts from Warrior Mom Maureen Bordelon’s “Autism Hat Rack.” Maureen is one of the most positive and giving fellow parents I’ve met on this journey. Her three kids are amazing and inspirational…and I know where they get it! Enjoy Maureen’s first guest blog for us this month, watch for another next week; and in the meanwhile feel free to check out My Autism Hat Rack for posts about other hats (like the “hard hat”) worn by Maureen on her autism journey!
The Good Luck Hat
By Maureen Bordelon
My Hat Rack of autism was officially a permanent piece of furniture in my life when our third child, Jonathan, was diagnosed by our Pediatrician in the Fall of 2001.
I remember having all 3 kids in the doctor’s office and the nurse was going over the checklist of milestones for each child. I was really good at trying to knock out all 3 kid’s well visits in one punch.
So when the nurse asked me, “So Jonathan is 16 months, right?” and I answered, “Yes.”
Then the Nurse, who honestly looked like she was 12, asked me in a disapproving tone, “Why didn’t you come in at his 12 month check up?”

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Wed, 04/04/2012 - 12:58

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