We all hope the children we love never have to endure surgery and that they are perfectly healthy but what happens when this comes up? As a parent perhaps you have run to your doctor for advice about anesthesia, whether your child must undergo dental work or something very serious it is important to know and understand the implications of the drugs used. This is especially a concern for those children on the autism spectrum or with developmental delays.

Many have read or heard about the damage heavy metals can do to a developing child’s mind and overall health. There are three main ways to test for metals and each is different. It is recommended children with the following symptoms or diagnosis get tested.
• Psychosis
• Autism
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Sleep disorders
• Anxiety
• ADD/ADHD
• Mood swings
• Digestive disorders
• Anemia

A recent series of conflicts left me seriously doubting humanity. With each twist and turn of kindness and flexibly I tried to show, I was slapped in the face with an attitude of entitlement and more demands made in an ugly and hurtful way.
Because I am still pretty irritated with the whole situation, it would give me great satisfaction to list my every right and her every wrong just to make you see how hard I tried to do the right thing. I would also love to share the list of funny (and not so funny) ways I have creatively crafted in my mind to get back at her. But at some point, I need to consciously stop thinking about it and choose to focus my energy on the good I can do in the world instead.
Sometimes I think autism helps me quickly get to bottom of a person’s true character. If someone is kind and welcoming to Lizzie, then I know they have a good heart and can likely be trusted. But if they show irritation or choose to talk down to her, then I know pretty quickly that I need to be on guard with them in other areas of life as well.

There seems to be so many answers and guidance when your child with an ASD is younger but as they age its scary because the support dwindles away. I read a great article in Autism Digest by Chantal Sicile-Kira about creating Independence and want to share some of my favorite highlights.
The first is self-regulation- this is something that is taught and does not always come easy to a child on the spectrum. Some key points to remember in developing this skill:

”What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” ~Pericles
For the past two years it has been a tremendous pleasure to share, learn and grow alongside this wonderful AutismSpot community; first as a Feature Blogger, later as Assistant Editor and finally as Editor in Charge of AutismSpot. I have sincerely valued the countless connections I have made with our readers, fans, and friends here on the website and via our Facebook and Twitter accounts. It is with utmost respect and gratitude that I am resigning from my Editorial duties. As I take the next step forward on my journey, I thank you for the kind and thoughtful words of encouragement, notes of thanks and cherished validation I have received over the past couple of years. I wish each and every one of you (and your sweet children) the very best in your lives and endeavors.
In a fond farewell, I leave you with one of my favorite quotes – an Irish Blessing:
“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”
♥

In honor of Father’s Day, I bring to you a guest blog from the Greatest Father on the Planet: my husband, Greg. I will admit there have been times of frustration when I felt that I was doing “it all” for autism. I researched, I scheduled, I lived and breathed autism 24/7. Then I realized Greg was doing “his all” to provide for autism, and that in itself is enough to send most guys packing.

Here is Greg’s very real account of how autism has affected him:
LOOK WHAT LOVE WILL DO
by Greg Hornok
I will never be nominated for Father of the Year by any autism association. In fact, by most measures, I am a completely inadequate father for the special needs that my wonderful daughter, Lizzie, requires.
I am not naturally prone to have patience, understanding, or even a great deal of sympathy. I come home from work tired and little bit irritable. I have worried about the money we have spent on therapy over the last several years. I have worried that the decisions of which therapies to use were the right ones. I have worried way too much about the toll that autism has taken on my marriage and the relationship with our other kids.

I am looking out from the 10th floor office that we occupy and I see the green trees, buildings off in the distance, airport control towers, and cars...hundreds and hundreds of cars. Sam used to love lining up our matchbox cars in color coordinated groupings. I would try and make vroom-vroom noises and get him to laugh. He would patiently wait for me to stop acting like a child and put the cars back in their place. I would do this again and it would make him frustrated. Each car had a specific place.

Over the past couple years as Ethan has made progress, we have slowly scaled back on our weekly therapies (think: Speech, OT, Neurotherapy, Craniosacral, social groups, etc.) and gradually added in some activities and sports that Ethan has shown interest in (think: soccer, basketball, piano lessons and cub scouts; things Ethan’s neurotypical neighbors and classmates are often interested in, too.
Don’t get me wrong…we haven’t just thrown him out into open water with no life vest! Each of these more “typical” activities he’s chosen have been carefully crafted with supports and surroundings that would give him the best chance at success.