Read more about the article Recommitting to self-care
Link / My thoughts / Self-Care

Recommitting to self-care

If you’ve listened to the podcast or even my Facebook Lives, you’ve probably heard me talk about hitting a wall last year. I don’t share this for sympathy or anything like that. I talk about it because I desperately want you to never experience what I went through. Last year and part of this year, I experienced the worst period of burnout I’ve ever experienced. It lasted about six months and took me to a very, very dark place. I don’t want to delve into that darkness right now but it was bad enough that I never want to experience it again and it took a tremendous amount of energy to keep a smile on my face so no one knew I was struggling. I was able to mask what…

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July 11, 2023
Read more about the article Helping kids learn to manage their big emotions with Mightier
My thoughts

Helping kids learn to manage their big emotions with Mightier

Hey parents, some days don't you just feel like you're riding an emotional roller coaster? Trust me, I've been there. Navigating the stormy seas of big emotions with your autistic child can feel overwhelming. It's hard seeing your child struggle, and sometimes you might feel lost and alone. But I promise – you're not alone. You're doing an amazing job, and there's help out there. Have you heard of Mightier? I’ve been talking about it for years. This game-changing tool entered my life when I needed it the most. Developed by the brains at Harvard Medical and Boston Children's Hospital, Mightier is not just a collection of super fun video games. It's a lifeline, a guide to teach our kiddos how to better regulate their emotions. I know it might…

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July 7, 2023
Read more about the article Unveiling the Unique Advantages of Weighted Pillows for Kids with #Autism, #ADHD, and #Sensory Processing Disorders
Affiliate / My thoughts

Unveiling the Unique Advantages of Weighted Pillows for Kids with #Autism, #ADHD, and #Sensory Processing Disorders

When it comes to supporting children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing disorders, the significance of sensory tools cannot be overstated. Weighted pillows are a brand new invention and have emerged as a powerful resource, providing numerous benefits that make them a preferred choice over weighted blankets, especially for children. In this post, we will briefly delve into the advantages of weighted pillows and explore why they excel in meeting the unique needs of kids with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders. Use the code “theautismdad” and save 15% Shop Weighted Pillows by Quiet Mind Targeted Deep Pressure Stimulation:Weighted pillows offer the advantage of targeted deep-pressure stimulation. Unlike weighted blankets that cover the entire body, pillows can be strategically placed on specific areas, such as the lap, back, or shoulders.…

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July 5, 2023
Read more about the article It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress
My thoughts

It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress

I’m really excited about today. We’re all going over to my brother’s house for the 4th and it’s gonna be awesome. There will be some new people there and it’s gonna be awesome. The boys are currently helping my parents on a project in the backyard while I’m getting caught up on some work. I’ve got quite a few writing gigs to finish and publish, so I’m spending the day getting that stuff done. Gavin has started his first job and it’s going incredibly well so far. Elliott is back at work during the week and so it’s just Emmett and me during the day. I’m trying to finish up my office to recording studio conversion and I’m hoping to paint next week. The drywall repairs were quite extensive and…

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July 4, 2023
Read more about the article Balancing Autism Parenting: Humor and Raw Emotion with Tara Reynolds and Lauren Flack (S6E20)
Podcast / Season 6

Balancing Autism Parenting: Humor and Raw Emotion with Tara Reynolds and Lauren Flack (S6E20)

On this week’s episode: Tara and Lauren are back by popular demand and we’re taking on topics that you sent in. Today we’re talking about finding balance when you have neurotypical and neurodivergent kids. It’s an incredibly emotional conversation filled with lots of tears and laughter. This hit very close to home for all three of us and I hope listening to us share our experiences reminds you that you’re not alone

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July 3, 2023
Read more about the article Some major updates about my kids
Elliott / Emmett John / Gavin / General Update / My thoughts

Some major updates about my kids

It’s been a little while since I’m written here. There have been a great many changes in my life and all of them very positive. I’m obviously still experiencing some writing burnout and I just don’t always have the bandwidth to put my thoughts into words like I used to. That said, I’m really trying to push through that and get back into writing again because it is a healthy outlet for me. For the moment, I’m just glad to be writing this. There have been so many changes over the last few months, some I’ll talk about and others, are going to remain private for now, but all are very positive. Let’s start with Gavin. Gavin has been working with a job coach to secure employment. We’ve been working…

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June 19, 2023