Empathy Or Alexithymia?

Words can have a huge impact on one’s life. Empathy… a word that has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years. Empathy is the ability to sense or feel another person’s emotions and feelings. It seems to me that over the past several decades, people have lost the skill of empathy. Several years ago, Geoff Bird, a leading psychologist, started to question
whether all people who live with autism struggle with empathy.

Beyond ZZZs

The round, white moon was shining brightly through the trees. I heard some noise coming from our daughter’s room. I quietly tip toe down the hall and slowly opened the door. To my surprise, there my 2 year old daughter sat in the middle of her bed surrounded by all her books. I stood in the doorway for awhile and listened to her “read”

The Big Red Barn. After reading the page, she then would point to various pictures and say what the items were. Every time she came to an animal she would make the animal sound and laugh…

Let’s Drive

Many years ago, the sun was shining brightly and my dad and I had to go do an errand for my mom. This errand took us onto some old, tree lined country roads. My dad pulled the white Thunderbird over to the side of the road and asked, “Do you want to drive?” I was so excited! It was the best day ever. I remember putting my hands on the blue steering wheel and going very slowly until my Dad said it was ok to speed it up a little. Driving the white Thunderbird on that sunny day was one memory I will never forget.

Amazing Challenges And Strengths

Recently, I read an article from Dr. Amen, who is a leading doctor in brain health. He has clinics across the United States and helps people with various types of brain injuries. The article I read was short, but really got me thinking about what kinds of activities we have done through the years to help our daughter who lives with autism.
First, he listed four common challenges in high functioning autism…

Going To Holland

For many years I have enjoyed reading poetry. I like the little tidbits of information that make you think about life and expand your mind to think of concepts in a different way.

The following poem is one of my favorites that I have read many times.

Opening Doors

Over the years I have read and watched various books and speeches about autism. After attending an event that featured Temple Grandin I purchased all her books and started reading them with intense interest because she put autism into a positive, practical perspective.

Unlimited

“Is this even a safe place to have babies anymore?”
This is a quote from the movie 1986: The Act.
The movie was released this past summer and discusses the events that brought about the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) of 1986 which was created to hold drug companies liable for compensating those who were injured due to vaccines.

Let’s Go To The Movies!

“Is this even a safe place to have babies anymore?”
This is a quote from the movie 1986: The Act.
The movie was released this past summer and discusses the events that brought about the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) of 1986 which was created to hold drug companies liable for compensating those who were injured due to vaccines.

Is Recovery Possible? YES!

Lisa Shulman, MD is a professor of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine which is a private medical school located in the Morris Park neighborhood of the Bronx in New York City. In a recent study which was published in the Journal of Child Neurology, Dr. Shulman stated, “It’s certainly encouraging to…

For The Love Of Reading

Many years ago, in a land far, far away, a little girl sat down with her Winnie the Pooh record player and the book Black Beauty which contained a small record of the story being read on it. The little girl was me and I loved that book! Often, I would listen to it several times in a row until I had it memorized right down to the intonations of the reader. Thus, began my love for reading books.

Pig In The Python

“The pig in the python is headed our way, with the aging population and recognition of higher prevalence of autism than was once thought,” stated Joseph Piven, professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Autism, CoVid-19, And The Top Five

The world has been turned upside down amid the CoVid-19 epidemic. Stress and anxiety can rise amongst those dealing with Autism during times such as these. Here are five suggestions to help in the coming weeks.

Beyond Imagination

The National Autism Association has stated, “A person with autism is not misbehaving or choosing to be
difficult. They just react to certain things differently. Be patient and kind always.” I ran across this
quote on social media recently and I just sat back and thought about it for a minute.

Is Autism Diminishing?

Over the years the number of people diagnosed with autism has risen dramatically around the world. Recently a study was completed using data from 23,000 people who live with autism between France, Denmark, and Canada. The results were alarming. The data used seven areas of distinction between people diagnosed with autism and the remaining population.

Simple Living

In our crazy world sometimes a lot of basic, simple life skills are forgotten about. We as parents of children with Autism can get so wrapped up in the academics of life that we forget to include the simple day to day life skills that our children will use through their lifetime. Here is a quick five point list to remember.

Autism And Food

At the Amen Clinics across the United States, over 1,000 people with Autism Spectrum Disorder have had brain scans completed. There are about 10 factors that are influential in an abnormal functioning brain. In today’s society food has many different effects; some can be helpful while others actually can poison our bodies. Through research, Dr. Amen had discovered five categories of food that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder should avoid.

One Determined Man

Bernard Rimland stated, “For years we have heard the experts say that autism is a lifelong disability, … This simply is not true anymore.” Back in the 1960’s Mr. Rimland took the world of autism to a new and exciting level. Without the marvels of today’s technology, he dispelled the notion of the “Refrigerator Mom” with clear determination and a lot of hard work.

Protect Your Brain… It’s A No Brainer!!!

Dr. Amen is a well-known doctor who practices as a psychiatrist and brain disorder specialist. He is also the Director of the Amen Clinics around the United States. Through reading and studying his books, the importance of brain health has been brought to the forefront of many people’s minds in the last few years. Here is a short list of some ideas to keep your brain in top condition…

10 Ways To A Successful Life

After reading several books, Lydia came up with this list of 10 Ways to a Successful Life. One of the books she drew information from was The Four Agreements by Don Ruiz when listing advice for Health, Wealth, and Happiness. Please check out “10 ways to a successful life” infographic by one of Thompson Patent Law’s rising stars! In addition, Lydia has added special bonus tips for you to keep in mind.

The DSM Road

“Autism is a journey I never planned, but I sure do love my tour guide.” I found this quote while sifting through my “pile of inspiration” the other day. I am sure a lot of people can relate to this, especially if you have been on a journey with a child who has autism or another type of disorder.
My thoughts wandered to the DSM, which was foundational to the beginning of…

Practical Life Lessons

As a parent we always try to help our children understand life and the world around them. One area of life that often gets overlooked is the fact that everyone will die someday. We recently went through the death of my father, the kids’ Grandpa. It was a time of mixed emotions, but it was a wonderful life experience to go through.

Taking Care Of Mama Bears

“Autism is the journey that turns Mama Bears
into Rock Solid Grizzlies!”

This quote has been circling through the community of parents with children on the spectrum.The first time I read it I laughed, the second time I smiled, and the third time I cried.

Life Lessons

Everyone is excited when a new baby is born. People come to visit, and the new baby gets a lot of attention. It is an exciting time for everyone. Then life starts to become normal again, back to routine, this time adding in another person.

Back To The Basics

In the book More than a Mom the author states, “No matter what our child’s level of ability, he will do best in the future if you help him develop practical skills now.”

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Over the years the focus of Christmas has changed from a time to gather friends and family to many cases of high stress and anxiety for many. Over the past years we have developed some fun traditions that actually help to reduce the stress of the holiday season and makes it much more enjoyable for our family. I hope the following quick list will do the same for you and yours!

The 10 Things

In life we often encounter various books which inspire us on our life’s journey. One such book, which I first read back in 2006, has been one I have reread several times through the years. It is filled with simple yet practical advice to remember when interacting with people on the Autism Spectrum.

Autism Spectrum Disorder And ADHD: Are They The Same?

Working with children, whether as a parent or as an educator, has many twists and turns. One such turn is understanding the similarities and differences between autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. Both diagnoses have exploded in the past years, which has many people curious about what makes each unique.

New Year . . . New Brain

Welcome 2018! What an exciting year is ahead of us with all its wonders and possibilities. Through all the reading, research, and study about autism some interesting facts about brain health have emerged. This year everyone can improve their brain health whether one lives with autism or not.

The Perfect Words

Words can be very powerful. As a parent of a child on the spectrum I have heard a variety of words about autism spectrum disorder. Some are helpful, some are encouraging, and some are very hurtful. I know everyone means well or at least I would hope they do. Through the years I have gathered three classic comments that are encouraging to hear when your child is on the spectrum.

Autism: Not Just For Boys

In the past couple of years, researchers started asking the question of “Why is autism more prevalent in boys than in girls?” At Universities both in the US and in England a variety of studies have been conducted to find the answer to this question.

Just Ask

Albert Einstein once stated, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” According to Webster’s dictionary, question is defined as a sentence, phrase, or word that asks for information. Asking questions is a powerful, effective tool to learn about the world.

Brrr, It Is Cold!

In the 1950’s and the 1960’s mothers struggling to raise their children with autism bore an additional burden that is hard to imagine. On April 26, 1948, Time magazine ran a headline entitled, “Medicine: Frosted Children”. The article stated how the parents of children with autism were cold