Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Start preparing now to help your child have the most social success with this love-filled day. Love is an abstract concept that isn’t learned overnight. Start incorporating a variety of Valentine’s Day activities with friends and families such as books, music, food and songs and their understanding will begin to naturally increase. Check out a couple of our past blogs for ideas on how to make Valentine’s Day a social language learning opportunity and how to help your child show their love towards their family and friends:

~ So there I was with a plate (and a mouth) full of pie, choking back some of the emotions that the holiday season is always sure to sweep in. This year, my baker’s therapy was recreating a family tradition (from my husband’s family), Oats ‘N Honey Granola Pie. The “real” recipe called for a full cup of corn syrup, ½ cup of brown sugar, chocolate chips, and the star of the show – honey & oat granola bars (which contain canola oil, corn flour, brown sugar syrup, soy flour, and soy lecithin – all ingredients that we no longer call “safe” for our Molly).

Last year I wrote about what I refer to as our diagnosis anniversary and all of the emotions it brings with it each year for me…right around Christmastime. This year, marks 5 years since our lives changed drastically - when we entered the community caring for and serving children and individuals with ASD; our 5-year diagnosis anniversary.
Ethan doesn’t really know I have these bitter-sweet moments every December and I plan to keep it that way, at least for now…He LOVES the joys Christmas brings and I adore watching the joy unfold around him. Spending time with our extended family makes him happy from the tips of his toes to the ends of the hairs on his head. He now shops for our family members – spending his own money – and helps wrap each gift. Ethan helped prepare gifts for the teachers and administrators he adores at his school. He understands why our family celebrates with gift giving and loves to hear the story of the Three Wise Men bringing gifts from afar to the Baby Jesus. Someday maybe I’ll share with him about my conflicting emotions at this time of year, but only when he’s an adult, and only if he is able to comprehend and filter such information to benefit his life and outlook; otherwise – I’ll keep it to myself.

The holidays are a busy time, filled with running errands, shopping and making plans. Take a break from all the hustle and bustle for an easy to do holiday project with your child! This reindeer art is sure to help spread some holiday cheer and will provide your child with many language learning opportunities!
Materials:

Thanksgiving is just a week away! How can we make the most out of this special social holiday for our children? Here are a couple ideas:
Plan out your Thanksgiving day
Here are some important things to think about to help set your child up to succeed on Thanksgiving:
-Whose house will you be at?
-Is there any area for your child to play?
-Is there any area for a quiet time or break?
-Who will be at Thanksgiving?
-Will it be quiet or loud?
-Will there be other children to play with your child (older or younger)?

With Autism Spectrum Disorders affecting boys four times as often as girls, sometimes I worry that most of our featured blog and guest blog posts focus primarily on males with ASD. But, we at AutismSpot realize that raising a girl with autism can bring certain unique challenges for families; that’s why I’m so excited to introduce our next Guest Blogger – Julie Hornok! Julie is a bright, engaging and active mom of three, whose only daughter happens to live with autism. Please help me welcome Julie as she shares her first Guest Blog post below.

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.

Over the last several days, Kent Potter (Founder/Owner of AutismSpot), Craig Gibson (Assistant Editor of SensorySpot and Featured Blogger for AutismSpot) and I have been meeting to strategically plan some exciting new things for the future of AutismSpot and SensorySpot. Craig flew in from Philly to participate in face-to-face meetings and has been staying with us. (Ethan loves to have company and has officially welcomed Craig to the family; Ethan will be sad to see “Uncle Craig” leave tomorrow.) But, during Craig’s stay, I wanted to make sure he got to meet Kent’s wife, Angie, and their amazing kids (Sam, Luke and Olivia) so we had a cookout on Saturday with both families. We had a great time grillin’ and chillin’ with everyone, and to be quite honest, the evening was rather lively!
When the Potters were running behind due to Luke’s afternoon football game, Ethan was anxious. He couldn’t settle down until I texted Angie to find out where they were, if they were okay and be able to offer him an anticipated arrival time.

Amidst the recent earthquake, hurricane/tropical storm, and tornadoes in the USA, and after losing a family friend (see post HERE), I find myself very thankful for “simple” blessings, especially those concerning my son. While I was away to attend services for my friend’s mother, to show my support for her and her family and visit with my family in the same town, Ethan did beautifully with the unexpected changes to his routines, during the first week of school, no less! Thank God! Also, when I returned after being away for four days, Ethan was super sweet and happy to have me home. We spent time reading together in the afternoon and after lights out last night, I stayed to cuddle with him. As we were visiting in the dark, Ethan shared some worries and concerns he has about losing me (and other loved ones)…on the heels of my trip, I’m not surprised that this fear is weighing on his heart and mind. However, I’m wholeheartedly thankful that Ethan is able and willing to communicate these concerns to me.

One of my dear friends lost her mother to a long, painful battle with cancer this week. My friend has a nephew with Autism. When I asked if there was anything I could do to help the family, my friend asked for assistance helping to find someone to keep an eye on her nephew during the service. He and his family will be traveling from out of town. My sweet and thoughtful friend wants her brother and sister-in-law to be able to focus on the service even if their son feels the need to get up and explore, pace or simply move around.