It doesn't matter that people don't understand your life. They don't have to walk in your shoes. They wouldn't sign up for your menu of life offerings even if you paid them. Sleepless nights (for years...right, Staci C. and Jenny B.), eating therapy because your child eats only 3 foods, tantrums that make MMA sanctioned events look tame, sensory overload everywhere you go, every single day, giving unconditionally until it hurts and then finding out that things can actually get worse.

What a blessing AutismSpot has been to my family over the past four years. We have learned a tremendous amount from all of you who share your stories and experiences. As we conclude 2011, our team came up with the idea of identifying some of our favorite posts from the past year. This is very hard to do given the breadth of information that flows through the site. However, one particular post keeps coming to mind and I am happy to post it again for you here. Craig's life story is about triumph and courage.

I am pleased to announce a major leadership promotion here at AutismSpot.com. Leigh Attaway Wilcox is now Editor in Charge of AutismSpot.com and content creation across the site. Leigh will assume leadership of content development, oversee writers and featured bloggers, and advancement of AutismSpot into the 170+ countries we currently serve. Leigh has been a strategic friend and member of the AutismSpot team for many years and most recently held the role of Assistant Editor.

Last week marked a milestone for our family. Sam is ten years old and in the fourth grade in public school. The last time Sam went to public school was when he participated in the PPCD Program (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities). That was many years ago. Since that time we have been fortunate to find loving, nurturing private schools that could meet Sam's unique learning needs. We made the decision that it would be in Sam's best social interest to stay back in the fourth grade as he enters public school rather than move forward into fifth grade.

The old rules no longer apply. Autism handed me a new playbook and it was blank. Our family had to write our own set of rules, guidelines, plays, and determine what the goals were. What came naturally to most families, was excruciating for us.
"Bye Sam, Daddy is going to work now. Wave bye, bye. Sam, wave bye, bye. Sam, look at Daddy, Sam. Sam. Sam."
My heart ached when I would walk out the door. I just wanted to hear his little voice and have his gaze turn toward mine. It just didn't happen.

The feeling of worthlessness, not being needed or wanted, and the feeling that you don't matter is devastating. All too often, these are the feelings of our children, friends, and colleagues who are on the autism spectrum. They have become marginalized by the idea that early intervention "solves" the issues of autism. The general public, in their false sense of truth, often believe that diet alone, early intervention alone will "cure" autism. This comes from farcical PR campaigns, bad marketing, and poor communication from those in powerful positions and roles.

We spent most of the week in the lake. It was pretty easy to finally unwind and I think this could become a good routine. Alabama is beautiful and we were all a bit sad about heading back to our every day lives. Some of us headed to Texas and the others to North Carolina. There was a talent show and it had moments of complete awesomeness...it even included what will forever be known as The Handstand.

Baby O had a fever the entire day. We crossed 3 states and after 14 hours we rolled into the lake house in Alabama. It was just before midnight and we were all tired and ready for sleep. There was one hold up...the pack-n-play. When you finish driving 14 hours after sleeping only 3 hours it is safe to say your brain is not operating at 100%.

I went to bed at 2am and Angie went to bed at 4am. We were preparing for our 14 hour car trip and last minute items needed to be packed. We woke up at 5am to shower and hit the road. Then it happened...the glorious schedule change.

Life is just full of surprises. A few months ago I started diving deep into the belly of reflection while writing a few pieces for AutismSpot and found it to not be the healthiest choice. I became consumed with selective thinking. Do this, don't do this, save this, share this, will this make sense, there is no way people will understand this, and so on it goes. The problem with (over)thinking something is the result is no different than running full speed into a brick wall. Everything comes to a complete stop...painfully.