The twisted joy of watching America's Funniest Home Videos, the new Bobb'e show, and the genius of despair.com brings viewers back time and time again. Is it sharing in the universal language of "suffering caused by stupidity" at someone's expense, is it the calm we get from thanking our lucky stars it was not us caught on tape doing the same thing, or is it just plain fun to enjoy a good laugh now and then that brings us back?

It's the question we have all asked ourselves and rarely are willing to talk about openly. It may haunt you while trying to fall asleep at night or it flashes across your mind like an out of control strobe light when someone cuts you off on the highway. What if today is that day?

Having choices in life is a luxury. Choosing what you will eat for breakfast, what career you will pursue, which friends you will keep up with over time are luxuries that some with Autism will never know. Choices.
Let's consider some of the different parenting profiles that exist and the choices parents make that give them one of these labels. Although this isn't an exhaustive list (because I made it up), it captures a fair amount of the different profiles that represent parenting styles we see every day.
There is the parent that is...
1) over scheduled and likes to tell the world

It's July 4th, 2009 and in the United States that means we are celebrating Independence Day. As I watch my boys play this morning and think of the soldiers who have bravely served our country throughout the years it gives me pause. Many of our friends (including many of you) live in a country where the idea of freedom, and the benefits we often take for granted in the United States, is a distant dream. You face hardships and struggles that we (in much of the free world) only imagine and see in the movies.

Another Father’s Day has come and gone but the significance and impact of a fathers love and support can be far reaching in a child’s life for many years to come. As I made my calls and dropped off cards this Father’s Day to my father, stepfather, grandfather and great uncle I reflected on the impact that these men have made and continue to make on my life.

Kids tantrum, fuss, squeal, yell, and scream. As a parent, you quickly learn what your tolerance level is.....then you rocket past it by 1,000%. You are able to handle much more than you would expect. Toss some Autism adventures into the mix and you have a real party at times. You talk to yourself, you don't sleep, your child doesn't sleep, you might be married but have no idea when the last time you had a real conversation with your spouse was, and then you have a job. Wait. Yes, that's right, you talk to yourself first.

Video to celebrate our differences. Different is OK!

Book available now for purchase. Great reviews so far: "valuable to teachers and therapists", "great resources", "loved the honesty and vulnerability this mom shares". Great book for parents, families, teachers, therapists, and anyone wanting to learn more about what a family goes through when they hear "your child has autism". This book has been permanently placed in the Florida Governor's Mansion. Patty Corrigan Myers and her son Charlie have been featured on national syndicated radio talk shows and television interviews. Go to www.autismblessing.com to learn more.

Autism Tip #2: Don't Count Me Out
It never feels good to be the one left out of a group. Being the outsider looking in is not the position most of us want to be in. Are they talking about me? Are they laughing at me? Are they having fun at my expense and I don't even know it? Where are my friends? Who will want to be with me?