IntenseDebate - flirtingwithnormal

11 years ago @ http://yeahgoodtimes.b... - Autism and Aggression:... · 0 replies · +3 points

I'm not shy about talking about my son's aggression and violence. It's part of his life - and mine. As these children become adolescents, they face arrest for assault (as my son has). All police departments need CIT (Crisis Intervention Training, offered by NAMI) to make sure our children aren't jailed when they obviously need treatment.

Let's end the stigma, and get researchers and clinicians in on developing solutions and coping mechanisms. If we leave this in the dark, nobody wins.

Luckily, my son (18 now) hasn't had an aggressive episode in over a year. He works really hard at trying to control himself, and we work with a behavior therapist who offers support and ways for my son to cope.

There's hope.

11 years ago @ http://yeahgoodtimes.b... - Share your story · 0 replies · +1 points

Hell yes, I blog about the difficulties we've had with the school district. Do I consider myself a crazed parent? Not in general, but a district that is unable to provide the supports that my son needs is enough to make me feel crazy.
http://ratiooffailures.blogspot.com/2009/09/manda... http://ratiooffailures.blogspot.com/2010/08/speci... http://ratiooffailures.blogspot.com/2010/11/shoot...

11 years ago @ http://yeahgoodtimes.b... - Other People · 0 replies · +1 points

I'd probably have told the hippie that you wanted to be sure that you were first in line for the opening day gift card giveaway. And then smile wildly. Hey, CVS has awesome deals during a grand opening!

I get tired of hearing, "You have your hands full." Inside my head, my response is "Not so full that I can't punch you in the throat!". It's really hard when the "other people" live in your house/family - but I try to look at it as an opportunity to educate those "experts"...again and again and again.

11 years ago @ http://yeahgoodtimes.b... - You lie · 1 reply · +3 points

You lie until they're old enough to Google stuff - then you're screwed.

11 years ago @ http://yeahgoodtimes.b... - Why \"Blue\" is not fo... · 0 replies · +1 points

For whatever reason, my son likes the blue light. He doesn't think his autism has a big impact on his life, which may prove that he does, in fact, have an ASD.

We don't participate in any Autism Speaks activities - our local services serve children and adults with various issues and disorders - one big happy family of special. I like it that way...but for The Boy, I bought the blue light.

12 years ago @ http://yeahgoodtimes.b... - Somebody needs to help... · 0 replies · +2 points

With autism now affecting 1 in 50 children, it won't be long before THEY will be the normal ones, and the NTs will have a disorder. The time is right...write that book!

Why does my brother or sister like to talk on the phone?
Why does my brother or sister go to play dates/birthday parties/sleepovers?
Why does my brother or sister not mind how loud the school cafeteria is?
Wouldn't my brother or sister get more exercise if they flapped?

12 years ago @ http://yeahgoodtimes.b... - The Game of Life · 0 replies · +1 points

They need to add a "get divorced and retain custody of the kids" (or "be a teen parent") space on the board. Then the kids will see how hard it is...just like real life.

12 years ago @ http://yeahgoodtimes.b... - I am not an autism exp... · 0 replies · +1 points

Since my son is now 17, we only have one more annual IEP meeting on the horizon. Over the years, I've learned a lot about the hoops that one must jump through to get services, and I've become quite the evangelist for The Boy (who isn't all that appreciative of my help anymore).

Instead of getting ready to hang up my advocate hat, I recently completed Parent Mentor training for my state, and hope to offer hope and suggestions to other parents who are navigating the rocky shores of IEPland.

But I'll never be an expert on autism or bipolar disorder - or anything, for that matter.

12 years ago @ http://yeahgoodtimes.b... - \"Are you okay?\" · 0 replies · +1 points

Has your son ever tried a body sock? My son used to love to climb into that thing - he said the snugness was like a hug, and he could calm himself down that way when he was overwhelmed.

Now that he's 17, he always carries a book to read for pleasure anytime he's feeling like he can't deal with one more thing. He's completely worn out books, I'm surprised he didn't read all the type off them.
My recent post A New, Albeit Temporary, Reality

12 years ago @ http://yeahgoodtimes.b... - Hey, Middle School. Yo... · 0 replies · +1 points

I'm glad you took the tour and that the principal has his shit together. A middle school that segregates the 6th graders is a great idea - let them flourish in their own environment before you let then roam the building.

I bet Child1 will do fine. Let the panic disappear and replace it with wonder - how the hell did you end up with a 6th grader so soon?
My recent post Haunted Between the Covers

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