Read more about the article My thoughts and feelings about #autismawareness month
My thoughts

My thoughts and feelings about #autismawareness month

I shared this the other day on social media and I wasn't sure what the response was going to be. I was a little concerned afterwards cause I was frustrated when I recorded this. I feel like we often waste a really good opportunity each April because we lack cohesion. I literally get people, and organizations emailing me asking me to promote awareness over acceptance or the other way around. It's so frustrating, I just delete them and don't even bother with a reply. Many of you have asked about my thoughts or plans for April and I wanted to get my thoughts together before sharing anything. I recorded this a couple days ago and shared it on my social networks. If I come across angry, it's not anger, it's…

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April 4, 2022
Read more about the article I’m attending the @SpringbrookBHS National Converge #Autism Summit on April 28th and 29th
Announcements / My thoughts

I’m attending the @SpringbrookBHS National Converge #Autism Summit on April 28th and 29th

I've been talking about a few of the projects I'm working on or involved with but I've been holding off talking about this one in particular, until the time was right. Well, the time has arrived and I'm really excited to share this information with all of you. I've been invited to the National Converge Autism Summit, put on by Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health, in Greenville, South Carolina. The summit will be held on April 28th & 29th. There's an amazing lineup of keynote speakers. Dr. Temple Grandin, a pioneer in the field of autism will be there, as well as Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, journalist, and filmmaker. I will be conducting on site interviews for the podcast with Dr. Temple Grandin, Ron Suskind, as well as few other…

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April 2, 2022
Read more about the article I’m happy, healthy, and making progress
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My thoughts

I’m happy, healthy, and making progress

It's been a productive morning so far. Emmett got to school on time and is dealing with state testing today. He's not excited about these tests, even though he always does well. It's just added stress that I feel autistic kids really don't need. That's a whole other topic for a different day. I went walking this morning and then crammed in a decent workout before coming home and getting some work done. There are several projects that I'm waist deep in right now and it's a little overwhelming. At the same time, it's also exciting because I need the work and it means I'm doing something right. It's a little scary at times but it's a good problem to have. I'm working on organization and efficiency right now because…

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March 30, 2022
Read more about the article Have you had to pursue guardianship of your adult #autistic child?
My thoughts

Have you had to pursue guardianship of your adult #autistic child?

I went on a walk this afternoon and it really helped me to work through some things. There's many reasons I love these afternoon walks but the company is one of the best parts about it. Today's walk really helped me to gain some much needed perspective. We were talking about ways of helping Gavin find greater levels of independence and part of that conversation centered on guardianship. Without going into detail, I've had some emotional roadblocks in regards to pursuing guardianship. The legal arrangements I've currently made are working well. That said, guardianship has always been on the table and it's something that has recently come up again. I'm an emotional person and there are some very real emotional hurdles in regards to pursuing guardianship. The conversation I had…

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March 29, 2022
Read more about the article I guess I’m just feeling grateful
My thoughts

I guess I’m just feeling grateful

It's been a really good day. We started out rough and Emmett was sent home from school sick but we totally bounced back. I was able to get in a good workout and a couple miles at the track. It's really cold but I sorta like the cold. I'd rather it be cold than hot. I really enjoy walking at the park, regardless of the weather. It helps me stay centered and I need that in my life. I shot the picture while walking the track today. I was lost in thought and I realized that the path I was on reminded me of my life. I turn around and I can see all the footprints, from all the places I've been. Looking ahead is like a clean slate. My…

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March 29, 2022
Read more about the article Why is my #autistic toddler becoming more aggressive?
Because You Asked / My thoughts / Reels

Why is my #autistic toddler becoming more aggressive?

Because you asked: "Why is my autistic toddler becoming more aggressive?" You're mileage may vary on this one but thisade me think of my experience with my youngest and I hope this can help someone out there. Like and follow for more 👍 https://www.instagram.com/reel/CboH0X6FAaD/?utm_medium=copy_link Transcribed for accessibility ☺️ ♥️ "Okay. So I've got this question on my autism parenting subreddit this morning. And, uh, it's from a parent who's autistic toddler is becoming more aggressive lately, biting, hitting, kicking, scratching, things like that. And they're like, Hey, why is this happening? Uh, well, the truth is like, I have no idea why it's happening.It could be a million reasons. Um, but it sounds like this kid might be non-verbal from some of the contexts that I got from the conversation.…

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March 27, 2022
Read more about the article Bounced back from a rough morning and had a great day
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My thoughts

Bounced back from a rough morning and had a great day

I made it to the event this morning but aside from the event coordinator, not a single member of the public showed up. The whole point was to answer questions surrounding the COVID vaccine. The was designed to help reduce vaccine hesitancy. I think it's a combination of people not caring and COVID exhaustion. In my county, 58% of those eligible are fully vaccinated and we need to be in the 70's and 80's for herd immunity. There's concern about another wave on the way, and trying to get as many people vaccinated as possible, is definitely a worthy cause. I'm sad that no one showed up but at the same time, I'm not surprised. Ohio weather is crazy. It was snowing like crazy when I walked out of the…

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March 27, 2022
Read more about the article It’s already a rough morning
My thoughts

It’s already a rough morning

I haven't even left yet and we're already off to a rough start. Gavin's having a difficult morning and I'm frustrated. I sometimes fail to maintain perspective and it's something I need to work on. Gavin has come so far and while he does pretty well in everyday life, especially in a relatively controlled environment, things quickly unravel when he gets emotional. He just has a hard time dealing with emotions. This morning he started to use the stove without asking. Yes, I know he's 22 years old, and does a good job, he needs to ask so that I'm aware he's using it and can intervene if need be. He can be forgetful and I need to keep tabs on things like using the stove or oven. There's only…

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March 26, 2022