Today I’m going to share some notable Blogging for Autism Awarenessposts.  Our first stop is over to Casdok’s site, Mother of Shrek.  Today, Casdok posted up several pictures under the blog post title of What have all these people got in common?  Great post.  Several individuals who are suspected to have been (or are) on the autism spectrum have been monumental in societal contributions. 

Phoebe at feebeeglee posted on April 1 - What’s Wrong With This Picture? drawing attention to a fabulous pice written by Kerry Cohen that has been published on Babble.com.  The article is entitled What’s Wrong With This Picture?  My autistic son doesn’t need to be fixed - it is worth the read, thank you Phoebe for drawing attention to it and Kerry for writing it. 

Autonomous Autistic discusses her views on some of CNN’s coverage in the post CNN, and why my spouse is ignoring me.  I do like to read the views of those that have autism themselves and this provides some great insight. 

These are just a few of the many posts on the Momologue Blogging for Autism Awareness blogroll.

Okay I’m not a big time blogger (although I aspire to be hehe).  I was looking at my Google Analytics results for today and noticed a jump in hits - a lot were coming from CNN.com.  The thing that was different from past cnn.com hits is that these were referrals, not a result of someone using the web search function at cnn.com.

So of course, being the curious kitty that I am, I decided to go take a look for myself.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/04/02/autism.faces/index.html

I spent a few minutes on the page and could not figure out where the link was coming from.  Then I decided to click on “From the Blogs” and there it was.  Yay!

You may have noticed that I use the term “autism spectrum conditions” (abbreviated to ASCs) an awful lot.  I still sometimes slip and use the more commonly-known phrase “autism spectrum disorders” (abbreviated to ASDs) but I do try to use the word condition as opposed to disorder.  To some, this may not matter but after spending some time reading and conversing with several adult autistics, I have decided to make a concentrated effort to use the word conditions.

Let’s look at the definitions from dictionary.com

Condition:
1.a particular mode of being of a person or thing; existing state; situation with respect to circumstances.
2.state of health: He was reported to be in critical condition.

Disorder:
4. a disturbance in physical or mental health or functions; malady or dysfunction: a mild stomach disorder. 

Okay, so the two words can be used interchangeably.  Now what?  The word disorder tends to have a negative connotation whereas condition is neutral. 

Here are some of my favorite neurodiversity-friendly sites:

The Autism Acceptance Project

The Autism Hub

Neurodiversity.com

Autistics.org

April is Autism Awareness Month.  Here is my first contribution to raising autism awareness in April of 2008.  The faces of autism spectrum conditions in my house.  I have never posted a picture of my children before on this blog, meet my two sweethearts.

Easter fun with the cutest little Basset Hound puppy watching.

On a marathon hike with Pops checking out some local wildlife (non-venemous of course).

A lot of media attention this month will play to those that “suffer” from autism.  Autism can most definitely be trying for parents and those dealing with the condition however I wanted to put a happy face to autism.

Today is April 1st, also known as April Fool’s Day. I rarely play any jokes on this day anymore. This is because everyone that knows me, except for maybe my nephews, knows better than to believe anything I say on 4/1. A few years ago, when my nephew was about six months old, I made my parents, sister and ultimately my brother-in-law pretty mad.

I was sitting at work and was rather bored so I had some idle time to think of an April Fool’s Day joke. I ended up calling my sister and told her that I was on the website Babycenter.com (this was my pre-mommy days so I wasn’t aware of natural parenting). Anyhow, I told her that I had seen a Gerber ad and the picture was my nephew! I told her I had submitted his picture as the new Gerber baby. Well she believed it. LOL When I told her it was April Fool’s Day she was not exactly pleased but evidently not too upset because later in the day she used the same line with her husband. He was not amused though. hehe

A bit later I used it on my dad and he was all excited until he figured out it was a joke and told me in no uncertain terms that he did not find it funny. I managed to get to my mom before anyone warned her and again once she figured out it was a joke she wasn’t happy. She actually said a bad word and hung up the phone on me. LOL Everyone laughs about it now but my nephew was the first grandchild so the sun rose and set on him.

So my family knows not to listen to me today but I did manage to get a jab in with a body repair shop that has my car. My mom backed into my car in her driveway about a month ago and the shop that is fixing it also fixed my car last year after I had a meeting with a concrete wall on the freeway. The gentleman in charge of the repairs is a great guy. He called yesterday to tell me my car was ready so I called him back this morning and told him I wouldn’t be able to pick it up for two weeks. I only let him stammer for about 20 seconds before I felt bad and told him that I’d be in tomorrow morning as we originally planned hehe. Evidently he’s been the recipient of a few April Fool’s Day jokes this morning.

So thinking back, I decided to do a little search on the history of April Fool’s Day and ran across the April Fools R Us site.  Here is an excerpt from the site:

The history of April Fool’s Day or All Fool’s Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year’s Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year’s week) to January 1.

The end of March is already here, time certainly flies when you’re busy.  I have committed to a lot of little projects lately and I’m just now starting to get into a groove.  It feels good, though.  Between my studies, my writing and my volunteer activities, I feel like my own person again.  I’m no longer just the mommy of two kiddos.  I’m no longer just a transportation provider.  I’m no longer just a short-order cook.  Now I feel like Melissa again.  Melissa is still the mom of two, a transportation provider and a short-order cook but there is more to my dynamic now.

Yesterday I posted a press release by Attachment Parenting International.  I’ve been a volunteer with the organization since 2004.  In the last month I’ve been furiously working on the new forums.  On Saturday the forums “went live” and today the announcement is being made to thousands.  I expect the board to get a bit busy today but so far, with about 100 users, nothing has gone “boom” so I think everything is running smoothly.  *whew*
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Old Habits Die Hard: New Parent Education Program Aims to Make Lasting Impression

Attachment Parenting International Unveils Comprehensive, Innovative Series of Education Classes Designed for Long-Term Success

Nashville, TN – March 31, 2008 – Attachment Parenting International (API), a non-profit global network of parenting support groups with more than 60 chapters in North America, today announced its expansion from support into education with its new Parent Education Program, a comprehensive series of parenting classes that educate parents in a new way as it aims to make a long-term difference in parenting behaviors.

Research studies have shown that education attempting to alter behaviors is typically successful for a short period, after which attendees tend to revert back to old habits due to lack of ongoing education and support. API (www.attachmentparenting.org) has designed its Parent Education Program with this in mind.

“I’m thrilled that API has created a comprehensive education program,” said Dr. William Sears, noted author of multiple parenting books, speaker and founder of AskDrSears.com. “API’s Parent Education Program is designed to meet parents at any stage of their parenting journey, all the way through their children’s college years. This kind of approach can make a real long-term difference for families.”
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On a car ride home from an after-school activity tonight Alexander tells me, very nonchalantly, “I’m weird.”  Seeing this as a chance to learn more about what he’s thinking I very carefully approach the ‘conversation.’  He doesn’t have many true reciprocal conversations with me but if I can play my cards right, I can get some good information out of him.  So I casually asked “Who says that?”and he says “people”.  I said “what people” and he said “my friends, sometimes Brooke” (Brooke is the little girl that he punched in the eye the other day). 

 So I waited for a minute then asked “what do you do that is weird?”  He responded that she said he acts weird.  Okay, typical first grader “stuff.”  One more question “Is anyone else weird?”  He names off three other boys, one of which I am almost certain is on the spectrum as well based on what Alexander has told me about him.  I try to get more information but that is the end of the conversation for the time being.

As we get home and get in the house I ask him “do XXX and YYY also leave the classroom for part of the day?”  He said “yeah, we don’t see them after lunch, they go to the special dark room with ZZZ.”  Ah hah!  hehe  Alexander is not on an IEP, he is attending a school a few districts away and if he ends up on an IEP we lose our ability to attend the school.  If he *needs* an IEP we’ll do it but right now his teacher is fantastic and makes accommodations without needing anything in writing.  Whew. 

Alexander only knows of this room because ZZZ gets to pick classmates from his inclusion room to take to his special sensory room to play games, etc (I’m guessing this is a social skills activity).  Alexander told me all about it one day - he loved it because there weren’t bright lights that make buzzing noises hehe.

I love my “weird” Alexander but told him a better word would be unique and reminded him of a book we have - I Am Utterly Unique.

Last week was Spring Break for my son.  I’ve been contemplating weaning him off of the Risperdal because he’s been doing really well with aggression (the dentist’s office meltdown doesn’t count) and has learned some good coping techniques.  Although I understand the need for medication, I’d really prefer not to use them if I don’t have to.  Well that kind of flew out the window today.  Here is our after school conversation.

Me:  Did you have a green day?

Alex:  Yes

Me: Really?

Alex:  Yes

Long pause.

Alex:  There is a note in my backpack for you.

Me:  What does it say?

Alex:  I don’t want to tell you, it is from Mr. Lawson, the PE teacher.

Me:  Alex, tell me what it says, I’m driving.

Alex:  I punched Brooke in the eye.

Long pause.

Me:  Why?

Alex:  The note says “no reason.”

Me:  Okay, but do you know why you did it?

Alex:  The note says “no reason.”

Me:  *sigh*

Alex:  Am I going to have a consequence at home?

Me:  *sigh*

Brooke used to be his best friend.  A few weeks ago he came home and said that she called him the “j-word”.  Perplexed, I asked him what the “j-word” was and he whispered “jerk”.  I asked him why she said that and he said it was because he didn’t want to play with her at recess that day.  I haven’t heard anything about Brooke since then. 

At home he still couldn’t tell me why he did it.  He did say that she didn’t say anything to him, look at him, touch him, etc just that he felt like punching her in the eye.  When my husband got home we had a conversation with Alexander and discussed the fact that hitting is not appropriate, etc.  A while later he told me he wanted to write an apology note.  Woah!  I told him that I thought that would be a nice idea.

A few minutes later he brings me a note in his first grade scrawl that said “I’m really sorry for punching you in the eye.  Can you be my friend again?” I told him to put it in an envelope and give it to his teacher so she could give it to Brooke.  I also followed up with an email to his teacher to let her know of the note.

Alexander has been on the receiving end of bullying before.  He’s had his glasses knocked off, been kicked in the groin, had send repeatedly thrown on him etc.  All of these incidences were from different kids and these weren’t just this year.  Overall there is very little bullying at the school, I know any bullying is too much bullying but I’m also a realist.  I am sad that he acted out in that way and called the pharmacy for a refill. 

Perhaps this summer we’ll try to wean him off of the Risperdal again and see how it goes.

My Mindless Mommy Blog is one year old!  I’ve had the domain for longer than that but on 3/10/07 I created my Mutterings of a Mindless Mommy blog dedicated to my life as the mom of two children on the autism spectrum.  At the time I started the blog, I only knew I was the mom of one on the spectrum.  Since then I’ve been promoted to mom of two great spectrum kiddos! 

Here’s a look back at some of my favorite and more popular posts.  I’m going to start with March and April of 2007 as I have many favorites and I don’t want to spam them all here in one post. 

An Introduction - My first blog entry!

The Dreaded Autism Tantrum - Blogged from our hotel in San Diego after a fun day at Sea World.

Having Autism vs. Being Autistic - Two completely different statements and one may be offensive to a certain part of the autism community and the other offensive to another part of the autism community.  The power of words, truly amazing.

Autism and Terbutaline- I get visitors to this post every day from Google searches on the topic.  Not many comments but by far one of my most popular posts.

“She Should be Potty Trained” - Not my shining glory moment of educating others about autism, but some days you just have to say what is on your mind.

A Neat Little Package Called Asperger’s Syndrome - This post was made shortly after my son’s diagnosis.