I suppose overworked & underpaid would describe many people, so I'll expand. I'm a mother of three, two teens & one pre-teen. My youngest child has Asperger's Syndrome, a disorder on the Autistic Spectrum. I am also extremely happy to be the wife of an amazing man. He is incredibly loving, compassionate, caring, loves all of my children as if they were his own, oh...and he is very talented. In our time spent, not at work, we play taxi driver, chef, support group, homework help, ski lodge, doctor, judge, jury & executioner, cleaning crew, oh yes...and in our spare time from that, we play in a band. Click on our friend - North Country - below.
I am very dedicated to educating as many people as possible and raising awareness about autism spectrum disorders. There is a great deal of conflict about the causes and "cures" for autism. My issue is not there. Mine is about making sure that, regardless of where you stand on why, for, and how, that all of those others out there learn, gain compassion, and "get it."
My Aspie son, who is at the extreme high functioning end of the spectrum, has difficulty in social situations, taking verbal and non-verbal cues, reading emotions, and managing his own. His engine sometimes gets revved so high that only a great session with his OT will bring it back to a nice calm idle. His father, my Ex, has decided that my son is too much of a "problem child" who doesn't ever listen, lies, and still has tantrums even though he's too old for them. He no longer sees my youngest for more than a few hours every other weekend, yet still continues to see my oldest children on a regular basis. He refuses to "get it." THOSE are the people that I'm focused on. I'm also focused on teachers, peers, the general public - anyone who needs to understand more so that they have the compassion and don't see our children as lost causes, unteachable, unmanageable, problem children.
The statistics in this country are insane - 1 in 150 children are diagnosed somewhere on the autistic spectrum. This number continues to grow. Yes, it is most definitely important to find out what is causing it so that we can slow down, and ultimately put a stop to this. In the meantime, it is just as important to help our children by educating all those with whom they will come in contact, and all of those who may interact with ASDers without even knowing it - to make them MORE AWARE. "Ignorance is bliss" absolutely is something that needs to be wiped out.
I also have a blog and a network of parents with children on the spectrum. We share our stories, our worries, our stress, our joys, and act as cheerleaders, "therapists," shoulders to cry on, and, most of all, friends with an amazing amount of our own knowledge of what's worked for us. Stop by my blog at MommyGuilt and also at Chicago Parent Magazine and check it out.
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