Autism: What can YOU do?

I hope this month has brought many of you awareness, encouragement, and understanding of autism.  You will indeed meet autistic people in your life - since this is so epidemic.  Let me tell you some things you can do to help with autism. 

First book I read about autism. It was truly helpful!

Autism: How Organizing Can Help

So, continuing with our "Monday theme" for April I'm going to tell you how we have used organizing and scheduling to our advantage with having a child with autism.

Autism Awareness Month

This month, each Monday, I'm going to highlight autism.  April is Autism Awareness month.  I personally am touched by this as my precious son has autism. I want to make you aware of what autism IS - go there now and see the list of symptoms.  I also want to show you what we have done to help our son.  Some kids are high functioning - as our son is - and others are on the other spectrum and low functioning.

Autism has grown rapidly since my son was first diagnosed 9 years ago.  He is nearly 12 years old now.  Nine years ago the statistics were 1 in 500 children were diagnosed with autism.  NOW, the statistics are 1 in 110!!  That is epidemic!  Can you believe the difference in a few years?  AND, 1 in 70 boys!!!  It's a 600% increase in the last 20 years! I am getting these statistics straight from Autism Speaks website.   

I'm not trying to scare you.  I imagine many of you even know of a child with autism - friend, grandson, son, nephew, niece, granddaughter, neighbor, etc.  But, it is actually better to KNOW that your child has autism than to live in denial of this fact.  Trust me, I KNOW! The sooner that you can begin helping them through therapies and various techniques, the better they can be for life!

Next week I'll share with you our personal story...our ongoing journey and how we manage right now.   


I'd love to have  HUGE list of bloggers joining me, so won't you?

Autism websites:

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks Blog

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Autism: An Update on Our Son

It was 2002 when our lives changed suddenly! We had an amazing little boy, who was suddenly diagnosed with autism. I had never heard of autism, nor had I ever known anyone who had a child with autism. It plunged us into such an known world of therapies, sensory issues, and so much more. But, the good news is what I wanted to share with you today. It's been several years since I posted an update on our son, Adam. He is now 16 - oh my goodness - and I'd like to share with you and encourage any of you who know someone with autism. So, feel free to pin, share, and comment about who you know who has autism. 

Thankful for Autism!

Wait, what? Did you really just put "thankful for autism" in the title? That can't be right. Who would be thankful for autism?

Well, I would. I'm 12 1/2 years into it. About ten years ago, I would've thought that would be the craziest thing to say! But, I am so thankful for it. Autism seems like a horrible, awful thing for someone to be diagnosed with. But, let me tell you some of the wonderful things that I have learned from my son.

1. I am thankful for autism because our son sees, feels, hears, tastes, and smell things differently than most of us. Once we got him over the gagging of every kind of texture {which took years, by the way}, he has learned to try every thing imaginable. It amazes me how he just wants to try all foods. 

2. I am thankful for autism because he is uninhibited. My son has an amazing way of just telling you what he's thinking. Most of us would gasp at someone being so blunt, but often he says things we are all thinking and isn't afraid of what others think. He's also not afraid to tell others about something...like church and God. He isn't concerned with that fear.

3. I am thankful for autism because he is so loving - my son is so loving to his sister and I. He thinks his Dad is the best thing ever. He's getting big now, and not as into snuggling but he still likes mom to rub his hair or back and hug him. He absolutely adores his sister - my brother was never so sweet to me. He goes out of his way to do things for her, give to her, or just be extra sweet.

Adam and Rachel in Palm Springs October 2011

4. I am thankful for autism because our son has taught me to be patient, to be calm and relaxed {so he doesn't panic}, to be understanding {of all disabilities}, and to be a Mom who loves a child regardless of their abilities or inabilities.

5. I am thankful for autism because it has caused me to realize that I have no control over the future of my children. I never imagined that we could have a child with a disability - who ever does? But, the fact that it has drawn me closer to the Lord and I must go to Him during times of difficulty and trouble.

6. I am thankful for autism because it has made me push our son and expect more from him. My husband has been such an example of this to me. He never let our son get away with things because he was autistic. He just worked harder to get him to understand how he needed to behave. By God's grace, it has made him a much more enjoyable boy to be around. I used to feel badly for the Sunday School teacher or school teacher or therapist that would HAVE to have him in their class. But, the opposite has happened - they tell me that they enjoy him, miss him when he's not there, and look forward to his visits. Oh, this Momma's heart is full to hear that! 

7. I am thankful for autism because it has helped me to help so many of you. My inbox has been full - nearly every week I get an email from someone asking for advice and help with their child who has autism. What a blessing it is to help so many moms. I pray DAILY for God to use this affliction for His glory - and HE has! 

Adam doing some yardwork!

What are you thankful for this week? Please share!

 

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Thankful for - #1	Thankful for groceries	Thankful for Autism	Thankful for Messes
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Autism Awareness Month

It's Autism Awareness Month - Light it up Blue! And, as most of you may know, I have a son with autism. 

Autism: Our Story

Last week I told you a little bit about autism and directed you to Autism Speaks website to learn even more.  Today I want to tell you our story.

My husband and I did not get pregnant right away. It took awhile but I was pregnant after we were married almost 4 1/2 years.  I did not have a great pregnancy...I get VERY swollen and gained a ton of weight. 

Me, at six months pregnant - 1999!

Laundry Room finished up!

How I organize: A Tea Cupboard

A tea cupboard?  Yes, some of us enjoy tea.  My hubby is actually the tea drinker!  I drink only occasionally, but he loves Earl Grey and he uses his own tea leaves....it's a manly tea!  So, here is what the cupboard looked like before.  Notice, I also had way too many left-over containers. I really don't need this many.  

Change it up! Moving around!

Are we all alike?  Do we all constantly move stuff around and re-arrange things?  I do...it's fun and keeps things fresher and newer.  Well, my hubby recently purchased a surprise {Valentine's Day} gift for me when we were in Big Bear back in February on vacation.

This is what it looked like in the store...

Gift of Clean Came to MY House!

This post sponsored by Scotch-Brite but all opinions and views are my own. 
I was compensated for my partnership with Scotch-Brite...but don't 

let that make you think that I didn't really want this for Mother's Day!

My kids are amazing. I am so blessed. My husband has been so good about showing his appreciation to me, as a mother to his children. Life hasn't always been easy. As many of you know, my son has autism. This is a lifelong process. Autism doesn't go away. But, to see he and his sister actually cleaning for me on Mother's Day makes my heart very happy! Of course, little sister is the one who leads the way, but her brother is happy to follow along and help!

Magazine Clippings

I was going through our office bookshelves a few weeks ago. I noticed that I had this huge binder of magazine clippings! I totally forgot that was there!

 

What's more funny is that it's several years ago and my taste has definitely changed - I think it's evolved for the better.

I found this {above} and loved it.  Well, we no longer live in a house with stairs so it's really not a lot of use for me! But, I can share it with you!

How about this one? Isn't that a cute cut?  I still think it's cute, even if it's about ten years old!

Then, there are the out of date stuff - the dried flower wreaths aren't so popular anymore! Anything that's smelly or attracts dust can't be in our house - I have too many allergy sufferers!

I like this one, above, because it's still a good idea. Now that I have kids, I don't know that I'd really do it, though!

Another great idea...simple and easy - even done over and over on Pinterest, I've seen!

I like these Martha Stewart tips on preserving flowers!

I also found this page {not even sure why I saved it}. This is really neat because of what it says. It reads:

"What is the most important lesson you've learned from your sibling?" To which was the reply: "My brother Robby has autism. He has taught me that people with disabilities can still be cool. Because of Robby, I have more patience with people who are different." 

This was about 4 months before my son was diagnosed with autism. So, it's pretty neat that I had saved that, for whatever reason.

I was trying to whittle my waist apparently, too!

Well, I finished up getting rid of pretty much everything and getting all these photos.  So, if I really need them, I have them now! There were many more and I threw out a lot.

But, seriously, I tell you now that I have Pinterest, I can organize all my magazine "clippings" and more! It's fun and I love going paperless! 

If you follow a few of your favorite bloggers or friends, you can begin to get ideas and "pin" onto your virtual board.  You can also type in the search bar for just about anything. See the example above...I typed "pantry" and then a whole bunch of pantries appeared! So, it's great if you need ideas to organize, bake, cook stuff {there are some seriously great recipes}, clothing ideas, etc.


Have you tried Pinterest? If you aren't on there and would like an invitation, please just leave me a comment below and I'll email you one! Also, if you have any questions about using Pinterest, ask! I'd be happy to try and help!

 

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Parties:
A bowl full of lemons
Not Just a Housewife
Organize and Decorate Everything
House of Hepworths 
Tidy Mom 
Organizing Junkie

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