Parents as Therapists (Courtesy of My Life My Autism)

Parents as Therapists

With the high costs associated with raising a child with autism, many parents are desperate to find ways in which to support their children with limited financial resources. Many states now allow insurance companies to cover some or all of the costs of services such as speech and ABA therapy. However, there are still some families in need of additional options that will improve the outcomes of their children.

Organizations like Rethink Autism offer cost-efficient alternatives for families who may be in need of additional support or who, for whatever reason, may not be able to cover the cost of therapy. Rethink Autism specifically supports families, caregivers and professionals through guided instruction using targeted "behaviorally-based teaching strategies..." with a "sequence of 7-10 minute training modules model all of the research-based techniques used in our expert-reviewed, video-based lesson curriculum in jargon-free accessible language." 

As with any program, families should do their research before making any final decisions. Questions that should be asked during the decision-making process include:

1. What do I want for my child?
2. What am I getting for the money that I will be paying to use the service?
3. Are the recommended strategies research-based?
4. Will I be able to chart my child's growth as I am using the program?
5. How do the programs compare to one another?
6. Does the program offer support through email or by telephone if I have questions or concerns that I need to be addressed?

Autism...The Next Unsung

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that autism has all but vanished from the public consciousness? I remember several years ago the big push to Light It Up Blue and how everyone seem to have some sort of opinion about the hows and whys of autism. Now you will be hard-pressed to find even the slightest mention of autism in the media. So what has happened to change the attention that was given to promoting and supporting autism acceptance? I know a lot of people objected to the whole Light It Up Blue initiative because it was associated with Autism Speaks. But now there are no true initiatives in place to keep autism on the forefront. What will that mean for my children and the children of others? I don't know...

When Will the Madness Stop???

The Early Bird Initiative

About a year ago, I decided that I wanted to make a difference. I didn't want to be one of those people who just talked about doing something. I actually wanted 2 be proactive and I knew autism was going to be my platform. I look back over the past year and realize that I've made a lot of positive strides in raising awareness but I know I'm far from where I want to be. So I'm committing myself in this next year to doing great things through advocacy and Outreach. I encourage everyone to find a call to support. It's truly one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever have.

Support a Cause

I use social media quite a bit for autism awareness. I am committed to the cause and will continue to be proactive about disability support and acceptance. However, I have noticed that people will respond positively to selfies and pictures of random events but remain radio silent when it comes to postings about donating or bringing awareness or promoting acceptance.

I knew when I began this journey as an advocate, I would experience bumps along the way. I get that it's hard for others to identify with disability awareness, especially if it's never affected them personally, but I guess I was just keeping hope alive...

Autism & Water Safety

It's that time of the year again when families are heading to the pool or flocking to the beach to beat the heat. Having a water safety plan should be as important as your child's swimming gear or sunscreen. Children with autism especially need to be monitored because they oftentimes do not realize signs of danger, which makes them highly susceptible to accidental drownings. Your water safety plan should include:
● A designated person or persons who will be your child's constant companion in the water. This could be another adult or a peer buddy. If a peer buddy is recruited,  make sure an adult is in close proximity at all times.
● Procedure for if one of the companions must leave your child's side for a moment.  Who will he or she notify?
● Floatation devices like the arm, leg or body floaties sold at Dollar Tree or other places for as little as a dollar.
● Cell phone close by in case of an emergency.
●Knowledge of CPR protocol in the event that an accident happens.

Remember, having a plan does not mean that you are EXPECTING something bad to happen. It just means that you want to be proactive about keeping your child's safety first!

Be Aware

I realize that I may have to fight this battle alone, but I'm ready! This is for my children and countless others who have no voice to speak out about what they experience on a daily basis. I am committed to raising awareness about autism...#mylife

What I Learned from Other Autism Moms

Yesterday I sponsored a panel discussion that was designed to bring awareness to issues related to autism in the home, school & community. Although I was a panelists, I learned so much from listening to the stories of others.
1. I am truly blessed. I have had others tell me this but I understand for the first time what that means. My sons are both verbal and participate in mainstream education. Their autism is not severe, though they do have issues related to sensory overload, stimming and learning challenges. From what I learned, I definitely should count my blessings.
2. Society still doesn't "get" autism & I'm not sure that they even want to. Telling someone that they should leave their kid in the car because he's making noises that are related to his disability is horrible. I was pained to see another mom cry and talk about the cruel experiences she'd had from strangers wanting her to make their lives more comfortable by suggesting she remove her child or telling him to shut up.
3. Mothers of children with autism have greater stress levels than mothers of children with a critical illness. I have heard this before, but it still amazes me. People don't understand what it's like to raise a child with a disability, especially when it prevents you from doing many of the things that were once part of your daily life. Going to the grocery store can be a chore if you have a child prone to meltdowns or who makes random noises. Nobody wants people staring at their kid or making snide comments.
4. There is still much work that needs to be done. Autism Awareness is not at the forefront of what we need to be focusing on as a society...but it needs to be. With over 3 million people living on the spectrum, more dialogue needs to take place as to what needs to be done in order to make sure they are as successful and supported as possible.

This panel was a great experience for me, even if turnout wasn't what I wanted it to be. I know now, more than ever, that my work is not done.
"I cried because I had no shoes, then I saw a man who had no feet..."

Checking In

Less than 2 weeks to go for our autism panel! Super excited...I don't care if only 2 people show up (not really but really), I just want to create a forum where people can come together to get information that can support them as they navigate their journey on the spectrum. Will keep you updated as time goes by. This is only the BEGINNING!

Spotlight on Autism : Home, School & Community

Less than a month away before our 1st panel presentation focused on the reality of living on the spectrum. So excited!

Autism Awareness Month???

So April has has been slated as Autism Awareness Month. there is even a big deal made of "Lighting It Up Blue" at major landmarks around the world yet because we going to do. However this year has not seen the same level fanfare from years past. In fact there is little evidence that autism awareness is on anyone's mind these days.

Many people had been opposed to even acknowledging April as autism awareness month because of its association with the controversial organization Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks has been criticized for calling a disease that can be cured ( something that I personally do not believe). But regardless of one's beliefs about an organizations mission statement, the fact still remains that autism had been brought to the forefront in a spectacular way and it was up to us to carry the torch and speak truth into dialogue that would certainly arise about autism and NOT leave it to others to tell our stories or speak our truths!

My fear is that now we are taking steps back instead of moving forward in our efforts to raise awareness and promote acceptance of individuals with autism.

Autism Panel:Spotlight on Autism

We are very excited about our first panel presentation to discuss autism in the home, school, and community. My Life My Autism was created for this very purpose...to bring autism into the forefront by opening up dialogue about how it impacts the person with the diagnosis as well as their loved ones.

This is only the beginning!

Support a Cause! Help raise AWARENESS

Autism Panel

We are SO excited about our upcoming panel presentation at NC A & T State University! Hopefully this is the start of something that will continue to grow and have a positive impact on the autism community.

Autism Awareness Month

My hope is that one day autism awareness is not just a moment in April that we cast blue lights and wear our best Autism Awareness gear; but that we promote and support awareness all year long through social media, research endeavors, community outreach and open discussions.

Sensory Experiences and Autism

Please check out this video! It shows us the sensory experience from the perspective of a child with autism. While I understood that my son was having sensory issues, especially in public places (even his favorite hang out spots), I never knew what it felt like to him because his expressive language abilities are not well developed. Now I have a better understanding of what life may be like from his point of view.

https://youtu.be/Lr4_dOorquQ

The Early Bird Initiative~365 Days a Year

As April approaches, so does the annual "Light It Up Blue" campaign created by Autism Speaks to raise awareness about autism in communities across the world. I have always maintained (and will continue to do so) that we need more research devoted to the lives of people with autism, not just causes of autism.

With millions of people living with autism,
both directly and indirectly, learning about the causes of autism is not as  relevant as issues like: early diagnosis, interventions, wandering, transition, healthcare, education...and the list goes on.

Those of us who consider ourselves to be advocates/activists should actively use our voices not only during the month of April, but the other 11 months of the year as well.

So let's commit ourselves to raising autism awareness 365 days a year!

Autism Awareness, Acceptance & Support

Check this out on Pinterest. My Life My Autism - www.pinterest.com/drmarquisgrant4/my-life-my-autism/?s=3&m=blogger

Know Your Child's Developmental Milestones

Knowing your child's appropriate developmental stages is important. Although many children met their milestones at different times, there is still a window of opportunity in which they should exhibit certain behaviors. For example, if your child is not crawling by the time he or she is 9 -12 months, there may very well be some underlying issues that need to be addressed.

Like many parents, I was initially hesitant about drawing attention to my children's issues. I was adamant that what they were experiencing was the result of not being around other children, not attending a daycare where they could socialize and develop appropriate communication skills as well as social behaviors. I feared what I would hear if I spoke up during our visits to the pediatrician.

Autism does not go away. Ignoring an issue because of fear or a genuine belief that it's "something else" keeps our children from getting the attention that they need the most. Even if your pediatrician determines that there is no need for concern, it's always better to err on the side of caution. While my children are doing fairly well, I truly believe that early diagnosis could have provided them with a stronger foundation,  especially once they entered public school.

Remember, talk candidly with your pediatrician if you have concerns about your child's development. Doing what is in your child's best interest is far greater than being paralyzed your fears.

Early Diagnosis & Autism: The Early Bird Initiative

We need to spread the word. Early diagnosis of autism is critical if we want to ensure the best outcomes for our children. Many families are hesitant to have their children diagnosed for various reasons, mostly out of fear. But a diagnosis is not the end of the world. It is the beginning of a new journey filled with ups and downs, just like anything else. The most important thing is that you teach your child the value of those things that make us different. Teach them that they are DIFFERENT, not LESS!