Well, I guess I will start off my first blog by saying....I don't know what to put under my Autism Connection.....am I a parent of a child on the spectrum?? Diego is 5 and he has Sensory Processing Disorder...to me SPD (as well as ADHD) are spectrum related disorders. I just read an article where the foremost researcher on SPD, Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, states, SPD is not a spectrum disorder.....I disagree my son has displayed so many characteristics of autism in the past I cannot imagine how it cannot be a spectrum related disorder. Regardless of the classification, I can just say I am so grateful that I have been able to tap into the autism community since I have been trying to help my son with his challenges. Parents of children w/ autism are truly inspiring and I have learned so much from this community. Autism moms are the reason my son has started biomedical treatments and a special diet. By reading about their triumphs and challenges, I continue to move forward everyday to ensure my son gets the help that he needs. I do think that I view his treatments through a sensory lens because I know that his sensory challenges are the core of his issues but by learning from the autism community I try to look at my son as a whole to see how his sensory issues, nutritional deficiencies, gut issues, allergies, etc. are affecting his ability to overcome his challenges. I think this holistic approach is something that can benefit almost all special needs children whether they are officially on the spectrum or not.