Making Inclusion Work for Children with Autism
When inclusion is implemented correctly, it can help a child with autism improve social skills and learn to navigate the neurotypical (NT) world. The key words in this statement are “implemented correctly”. Too often children with autism are placed in a typical classroom with little to no support which can lead to a failure of the inclusion experience. In addition, many children with high functioning autism or aspergers, who are successfully included academic classes, are given no support socially. 
                        
Reflecting on the Important Things In Life
While we all seem to know what is truly important in life, somehow we often manage to become bogged down in details like “who said what” or “who was supposed to do what”.  These distractions often deter us from our family, priorities and for some, our faith.  Like autism, cancer has a way of refocusing people.  And like my son's autism, it has recently refocused our entire family.


 

What Do You Want Teachers and Schools to Know about Autism and Your Child
 As the school year began, it made me think about what people, especially those at school, should know about autism and my son.  Since my situation is not unique, I asked some autism moms what they wanted the schools and teachers to know about autism and their children.  (Thanks to the smart autism parents who wrote me back!)  What we want schools and teahers to know about our kids with autism: 

 






            Helping Teachers to Get 
to Know Your Kid
At IEP time, parents do everything we can do to make sure our child’s educational needs are well documented.  If things go well, the IEP should describe your child’s strengths and weaknesses, goals and objectives, provide Specially Designed Instructions, etc.  The finished IEP represents the “blue print” for your child's free and appropriate public education.  So what happens every September?  
 

   Autism & Sports
There are several studies showing that exercise is not only good for our body but also good for our minds.  Participating in group sports helps children learn how to work as a team and gain confidence in a skill.  But team sports often present many challenges for kids with autism.  The struggle to find appropriate exercise activities is common among parents who have children with autism.


Check out these Links!
Circle of Moms
...motherhood, shared & simplified
http://www.circleofmoms.com/autismaspergerspdd-awareness

AutismResources.com....
The Autism Friendly Guide to Pennsylvania 
www.autismresources.com

 

Why "real life"? 
Because when all is said and done at the end of the day and I have read as much research that my eyes can read, real life with autism goes on.  Autism has touched our lives and there is no going back.

It is my intention to write some thought provoking blogs and articles on what autism means to parents, families and children in "real life".  Since my son's diagnosis, our family has taken a life changing journey with autism.  Some ups and some downs.  Along the way, my son with autism has taught me many lessons, some the easy way and some the hard way. 

You won't find "cures" on this site.... Just real stories from real moms and dads who love their children and their families.  I look forward to learning from other parents about their experiences with autism.

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