(Here’s a brief explanation for what you will see on my blog for the month of October: I’m taking part in the 31 Days of Writing Challenge over on the Nesting Place blog. The topic I chose to write about is: 31 Days Toward Understanding Autism)
If this is your first time here, please scroll down to read the first post for this series. Otherwise, here are the links to each day’s post:
Link for Day 2 Link for Day 12 Link for Day 22
Link for Day 3 Link for Day 13 Link for Day 23
Link for Day 4 Link for Day 14 Link for Day 24
Link for Day 5 Link for Day 15 Link for Day 25
Link for Day 6 Link for Day 16 Link for Day 26
Link for Day 7 Link for Day 17 Link for Day 27
Link for Day 8 Link for Day 18 Link for Day 28
Link for Day 9 Link for Day 19 Link for Day 29
Link for Day 10 Link for Day 20 Link for Day 30
Link for Day 11 Link for Day 21 Link for Day 31
*****
When I saw on another blog the link for 31 Days of Writing, at first I thought, ‘Oh, I so couldn’t do that!’ I don’t cook well or decorate incredibly and, outside of those things, what on earth could I write about for 31 days?’
And then I remembered something our family deals with…every.single.day.
Autism.
Our oldest, M, has high-functioning autism.
Our middle-dude, G, has Asperger’s.
Our daughter, S, has extreme sensory disorder.
(Needless to say, our home is never boring. 
)
And when someone outside of our ‘world’ comes in contact with it through us, I am always asked, ‘What exactly is autism? I’ve heard of it but I don’t think I know what that means.’
What they’re really trying to say is, ‘In regards to how I interact with your family in the future, what exactly do I need to know and what do I need to do with that knowledge?’
So for the next 31 days I will let you in on how life, with autism/asperger’s, happens at our house.
Now I’m no expert on the subject (except in relation to our kids) and I can’t speak for those who are on different levels of this spectrum, but for us, for our kids, and in our lives…this is what it looks like.
It affects every piece of our day.
Our schedule.
Their clothes.
Their speech.
Our vacations.
Eating out.
Large crowds.
Interaction.
Sleeping.
Learning.
Church.
Making friends.
Like I said…everything.
Luckily, we are on the ‘high’ end of it. Meaning that there are families who struggle with even more autistic issues (low-functioning) than we do. And if the movie ‘Rain Man’ just popped into your head…that’s a start. Maybe. Sometimes it’s even much worse.
So, we’re thankful that we are right where we are on the…autism spectrum.
And if you’re wondering exactly what ‘spectrum’ means, come back tomorrow and I’ll explain.
(By the way, if in the course of these 31 days you think of someone, whether in your own family or outside of it that reminds you of what I’m describing, don’t automatically diagnose. Get information for them (or you) and find someone professional who can truly help.)
I found you through the nester…I’m looking forward to your series! My son was diagnosed with ASD this year. It’s been quite the year but we are making Wonderful progress!
Hi! Well, I’m not a brilliant decorator or cooker (lol) so the thing I do know is autism..at least for us. I’m going to ‘visit’ everyone else’s series today so I will hop over to yours also! Hopefully something I write may give you a tip or just a re-assurance that you’re on the right track. Great to meet you…
Can’t wait to read your stories. Our son has PDD-NOS. Though, as he’s gotten older, I don’t write much about his struggles anymore (for his own privacy), but I did document a lot of our early days at my personal blog Failure to Nap.
Found you through the 31 days challenge!
Hi! I totally understand about the privacy things. That’s why I usually don’t blog much about it. And also why I’ve tried to pre-plan this series so it won’t be as much about advertising their ‘struggles’ than about sharing information someone out ‘there’ might could use to help them in some way. We’ve learned a lot and come a long ways. Sometimes I just find it helpful every once in a while to know that someone else understands what we face each day. Thanks for stopping by!
“(Needless to say, our home is never boring. )”
– we could be soul sisters, lol! My house is never boring either. I kinda wish there was a brochure tucked into the hospital information packet for newborns describing this little thing known as “sensory issues”. My life would have been so much easier years ago if I had just known to turn the dang socks inside out & buy tagless underwear, lol! Good topic & very cute blog!
lol! I know…information packet for SURE! That’s why when M was finally diagnosed and we understood HOW to work with him, I cried for days, wishing I had known everything sooner. But, no prob. We recovered and have come such a long ways. Trust me, I’m always on the lookout for super soft clothes. Wish I could design a clothing line just for sensory issues…
I will be checking out your blog also…(when I’ve fed all the lil’ munchins!).
This is a brilliant series to offer, as you are right — many do not understand autism. You will be providing a great service to those of us who get to learn from you.
Thanks and much blessings,
Lisa
Thanks! Life, for us, gets much smoother when those around us know how to work with it. Hope it can help someone else. This is going to be an exciting and informative month! Thanks for stopping by…Su
Linking over from Nester – I’m so looking forward to thistopic! Our second child (of five) has autism….”classic, textbook” autism. He’s now 13 (and finally out of diapers- YAY!!!), but since he was 2 when he was diagnosed, I feel like we’ve dealt with it forever. I’ll be following along for sure
Wow. I’m sure you could write much more than me! I understand about feeling like you deal with it ‘forever’. Maybe something I share will be what somebody might need. Thanks for stopping by! Now, heading over to yours…
I know this topic will bless many moms who are walking this path, too.
May God bless you as well!
Thanks! I hope so…
Our son is 25 years old and was diagnosed autistic at 18 months. So, we know all
about autism. Praying the best for all of your kids.
Wow. I bet you could give ME some tips and advice.
Thank you for your prayers. They are always needed!
I’m so happy to read this and cannot wait for more. My oldest son is PDD & both sons are SPD. I understand crazy and you are so brave to be writing about. Thank you!
Thank you! Well, either brave or just…crazy myself.
I just know how many years I felt I was the only one dealing with some of the stuff. It helps to know someone else is in your same boat. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. I’m still jumping around to everyone else’s blogs, too! Will hop on over to yours…
I am REALLY looking forward to this series. I have several friends who have children with autism and Asperger’s. I also work in a group home that has 8 developmentally disabled males living in it (2 with autism. I feel fairly well-versed in this topic, but am eager and look forward to learning more!
P.S. I found you through the 31 days challenge as well!
Well, feel free at any time to send me a tip or advice through comments! I could always use some new stuff also.
I’m sure I don’t have all the answers but maybe SOMEthing I say could be what one person might need. It’s why I blog. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and comment. Will head over to your challenge also!
Hey! loved your challenge for this month! Tried to comment but it kept deleting my comment. Probably something I did.
Can’t wait to see what songs you post!
Oh, this is just so wonderful! Our son, who is 12, is autistic. I have an entire section on my blog dedicated to this subject, too! I will be checking in to see all about what you have to say about this! I’m very excited. I’ve love for you to stop by sometime and see what I’ve said about it, too! Found you through the Nester! Fabulous!
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
Oh, cool! Well, my purpose is just to give a small insight into how life with autism is at our house. You never know how it may give someone else the information they need. I will gladly stop by yours also! I’m on a ’31-day’-blog adventure…lol…trying to check out everyone else’s blog! It’s so much fun…THanks for commenting!
By the way, just visited your blog and your ‘story’. Parts of it felt like you wrote our story. Amazing. ‘Never promise something because he won’t forget.’ ‘Losing’ words. Yup. I totally get it all. And we also have had to decipher which behaviors are ‘acting out’ and which are autism. Always a ‘fine’ line, huh? Will definitely be checking more of your stuff out. Thank you SO much for connecting!
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Found you through the Nester. I have an 18 year old with autism. I’m glad someone is focusing on autism. You might be interested in reading this 31 Dayer blog as well
Round World Flat Map
I’m noting all the people who have family members or friends with autism commenting here and off to check out their blogs.
Dixie
Well, it’s certainly the one thing I live with!
I will be glad to check that site out. The site by Becky with Organizing Made Fun has some great info also. Thanks for commenting!
Today is the first day that I have had a chance to look at any of the 31 day blogs. I was admiring all the beautiful categories and then I saw yours and nearlyburst into tears. My son has/had sensory processing disorder and the stress I went through before I knew what it was was unreal. Thankfully for us, therapy has essentially “cured” him. But, I hope and pray that your 31 days guides those of us that were so lost in that first exposure.
Thank you!
Wow. Thanks. Well, I thought, why not do a series that could educate people on how autism looks from ‘this’ side of it. When you’re ‘knee-deep’ in living with it, it can be a bit overwhelming, and sometimes you forget that those around you could use some information on how to deal with it also. And for those who may have just heard that diagnosis, I hope I can provide a light at the end of the tunnel that lets them know…it’s gonna be alright. It may not be easy…but they will make it. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Hi there,
I am very interested to be able to read your series! I joined this whole blogging party a little late. I have a brother with high functioning autism and I work with with students with an array of disabilities! I love it! I look forward to reading what you have to say
Sarah
Sarah recently posted..that God shaped hole in my heart
Oh, great! Glad you found me (my series
)! Well I simply wrote it from what we’ve experienced at our house. It’s not professional advice or anything, but it is from the heart. Hope you get either some good ideas, some reassurances, or just a few pick-me-ups! Thanks for stopping by…
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