Autism and Android   So perhaps you are already aware and perhaps you aren't but I develop on Android smartphones, specifically the Epic 4G from Sprint. My ROM's are pretty popular and you can view them here on my Android Development page. I use these ROM's and the attention they create to spread Autism Awareness through out the Android community. You would be amazed at just how much Autism Awareness has taken root within the community. I have mentioned before that I use Android devices to help Emmett communicate. It works really well and gives us another means of bridging the communication gap. Now here is my idea. I'm thinking about trying to set up a program in which I can take donated Android devices and turn them into a means of communication…

This has been a fairly productive weekend so far. My dad came over and helped me get the gutters cleaned out so it no longer rained inside our house. Since I hurt my back I haven't been able to work off a ladder so my dad laddered the house and emptied out the gutters for me. I got some work done inside the house as well. I did a few loads of laundry and cleaned out the cats litter box. I also did some dishes and scrubbed the stove. I vacuumed the pet hair and even brushed Maggie. Lizze's parents to Elliott last night so he could get out odd the chaos for a while. I still have to scrub the bathroom floor and that will be it for today.…

In my never ending quest to spread Autism Awareness and advocate for special needs parents I have started something that I NEED ALL your help with. I have made my feeling pretty clear about the use of the word "retard" to describe special needs children or other persons with special needs. I'm not going to go into all the reasons why I think this word is degrading,offensive, ignorant and inaccurate. You can read my original post here. Some of the responses I have received disturbed me a bit. Several people have suggested that because it is still a "medical" term then it's "ok" to use. I disagree completely. I think that it's outdated and inaccurate and we need to remove that word from medical terminology as well. There are many other words…

When it rains it pours. We've all heard that one before. At the Lost and Tired house, however, it goes more like this: "when it rains it pours....inside our house". Apparently the gutters on the 3rd floor must be clogged again because it's raining inside the house. The water runs over the gutters and down the outside of the house (you know, path of least resistance and all) and into our living room through the windows and around the windows. Have I mentioned before just how much I love this house? Just in case it didn't translate well online, that was total sarcasm. The boys had great days at school today so that was AWESOME. I called and picked up the van today. It would otherwise be just sitting there until at least…

I met with Gavin and Elliott psychologist, Dr. Patti last night. We were discussing Gavin's recent esculation in the self-injury department and the impact it's having on everyone in the house. Gavin and Elliott were playing while we were talking. After we spoke Dr. Pattie was playing Candy Land with the boys and just talking to them. Gavin was basically playing the game by himself because he was simply taking everyone else's turn despite being correct several times. After a few rounds of Candy Land, Dr. Patti said the game was over and came back over to talk to me. Gavin continued to play and was getting annoyed that no one was taking their turn. I looked at Gavin and asked him "what did Dr. Patti just say to you?". Gavin…