A woman murdered her children, using autism as an excuse. As if autism doesn't get enough bad press. Autistic kids are hard to handle you know! So hard to handle in fact, that they are often manhandled.

Amazing progress...I have never had an ARD as positive as this one. D is a freshman in high school now, but he is in a small, specialized (one teacher) class situation. This environment has allowed him to mature more than I had hoped for. He has formed a meaningful connection with his teacher-this year and last. These particular teachers have listened with genuine empathy, and therefore nurtured a trust that puts D at ease. This special bond allows him to be more open-minded when discussing behavior.

It bothers me when I hear terms like 'reversing autism' or 'curing autism' because they can create false hope. Sometimes I wonder if these inflammatory terms are used specifically for their ability to sell something. It seems to me, a more accurate description would be 'managing autism' or even 'taming autism' since we (scientifically/physically) cannot re-channel/re-construct neurons and faulty synapses in the human brain--that is God's job.

It has been a relatively stress-free summer. D thrives when there are few demands placed on him and he can spend his time as he pleases. And I let him-he is a kid, afterall-albeit quirky. Now school looms and change surrounds us.

Elementary school was like a bad dream at times. Teachers were not prepared to deal with my autistic son. Educators truly need to be trained in the most appropriate strategies for teaching our kids. There is already a surge of spectrum kids in school and the stats say there will be many more. The system needs an overhaul.

I am not convinced either way about the vaccination allegations and autism. What I am certain of is that my son is very special and I would not trade him for the world. I am also certain I could not live with the knowledge that my child died from a disease that could have been prevented. I also do not want to be someone who contributes to the re-emergence of childhood diseases and death.
That is my 2 cents; I do not judge your personal decision.

There has to be a measure of accountability; learning is a building process. Think of it like a pyramid with a large base of knowledge that narrows focus as it rises towards the sky. Assessment is needed to check for understanding because a student cannot academically progress to the next level of perception without mastery of previous knowledge. There also has to be some uniformity in base knowledge, nationwide. Call it what you want-standardized testing will never completely go away. The stress is a result of the stakes; accountability run amouk.

Ahhh, the teen years. Sometimes I wonder if some of D's bravado is related to changing hormones. Teens have a reputation for being difficult, and having attitude. In many ways I am lucky because I will not have to experience some of the emotions that are a rite of passage for these years. D doesn't realize the gravity of his age, or think about what many teens obsess over. He doesn't think about girls, or cars, meeting up with friends, or getting away from home as much as possible. (Am I having some flashbacks here?

Art starts as drawing. D started drawing lines at around 3 years old. All he needed was something to make a mark and something that would take a mark. That is why I still have so many books with D's early drawings all over them. One apartment we lived in became lessons in art. D found a pen and a blank wall in the bedroom. He sat on the cedar chest and drew lines and squiggles to his heart's content while his dad slept. I walked in and ended the escapade. It took primer and paint to bring the wall back. We were more careful about leaving writing tools around after that incident.

When I left the marriage, my ex was positive it was for another man and in a way, it was; I couldn't let my son grow up with his dad's macho mentality. My ex is Brazilian/Italian so there is a culture difference between us. He was sure another man had swept me off my feet because his pride needed competition and of course--he knew what he had let slip away. Truth is, I did think I would couple up again-and soon; I know what a catch I am! But once again, reality can be harsh.