What Do i do Now? HeySistah Publishing

A few things to live by>>>> As a parent of a child with Autism there are many things I've learned, that help me cope with everyday life so I'm going to list them in hopes it can help someone else. 1. Always be proactive when planning lunches, day trips, time at home. Keep a togo bag with favorite toys, books, tablets, chargers, snacks,and a frozen bottle of water, and unfrozen bottle of water. (trust me)  2. Keep snack packs like cut up apples, bananas, grapes, pepperoni in little containers readily available in the fridge. 3. Sing routines to help make them fun. I did a conga line for potty training " Let's go use the pottay!!" "Let's go use the pottay!!" 4. Allow your child to help when you're grocery shopping, if they're picking out their own fruit, and snacks, or retrieving items out of the deep freeze they are positively distracted and less like to have a meltdown. 5. Don't wait until your chil...

I love my son and one thing you can definitely say is Autism keeps you on your toes!! When you are an Autism mom you wear many hats, I feel like CSI, Sherlock Holmes, Short order cook, ER Nurse, Psychic Mind reader and Hazel the maid at any given moment. Overtime I walk into a room I have to access the spills, puddles, and or random full cups contents and quickly ascertain if it is dangerous, or if a difficult clean up is imminent. I feel like the funny guy on the show psych" I swear thats how I scan a room .just like he does on that show" !!   I scan the room to see whats missing? The buckets gone, he's playing in water somewhere, the garbage is full, he changed diapers and threw them away, the toilet keeps running, he used a handful of wipes.  Try figuring out whats wrong when a non-verbal child comes to you crying tears and you at a moments notice have to assess the situation and decide if medical aid is needed that you can provide, or a ER visit is necessary! My so...

Autism- Our cross to bear... It's horrible when you're treated like this by strangers, but it's far more hurtful and upsetting when you're treated like that by family, and or excluded because they have strong opinions about how you should parent, and judge you, and they've never even taken your child to the park, or made an effort to connect with them. You want your child to be loved and supported, not judged, they are more kind, compassionate, and intelligent than the people that endeavor to judge them. Our heart breaks every time they get a disapproving look or a stare. You have to keep a brave face when they make insensitive and ignorant remarks, and you constantly have to defend and explain your childs behaviors. You live each day poised for, an attack, or comment, or judgement.  I feel like a three musketeer always at the ready to fight! " ON GUARD"

I was very lucky to have a Mom that empowered me to always speak up about what I wanted, and how I felt.  Even when I was mad at her she listened to why and then explained to me why I was wrong and ended up blaming only myself and apologizing for my bad judgement or poor choices.  She was a master at mental manipulation, making you feel guilty for doing wrong, even if she didn't know what I did, I knew and that was infinitely worse on my conscience than she ever could be. I endeavor to raise my kids the same, with lot's of love and affection, empowerment, including them in decisions. As a child  (I always hated being told by other adults my opinion didn't matter because I wasn't grown yet and paying bills), I truly believe thats why so many kids commit suicide because they are told what they are feeling isn't important in the scheme of things, but obviously it is because their problems are real in their lives as they struggle through puberty a...

To quote Frank Sinatra "I did it My way" Since my Mom passed I basically feel like a boat set adrift in the ocean with no navigational ability and no sense of direction.  For years I was a single woman, with no kids that traveled, indulged my every whim, and enjoyed life to the fullest. At this point in my life I am experiencing my trials and tribulations, everything is now a battle, to be heard, to be respected, to be acknowledged, to be taken seriously, and to be relevant. Thank God  I can write because I've written so many letters to the Board of Ed, various organizations. companies, I feel like I'm back in college,WTF!  My oldest  son has ADHD and my youngest has autism and is totally non-verbal. I've had to adjust from a life with no limits to a life with an overwhelming number of limits for my housing, the education of my children, the foods that are best for my kids health and well-being, and even the care of the dog.     It has also bee...

PUTTING YOUR AUTISTIC CHILD TO SLEEP SO YOU CAN REST!! When my son was younger he would only sleep 8 hours at a time, and it was particularly difficult to get him to wind down.  He would run around from room to room disturbing the neighbors and everyone elses sleep as well. Many articles suggested using Melatonin, I myself dreaded the idea of how to get my son to injest a pill. So I considered other ways and found 2 that work well for me. I found a routine is pivotal when giving your autistic childs life structure and purpose.  My son loves water so I took him to the store and bought Thomas the train bath toys and then allowed him to play with his toys while he bathed which relaxed him.  Next after drying him off I would give him a relaxing massage while playing classical music, I have also found that cable televison has thse short films of the coral reefs with soothing music in the background and my son LOVES fish. I would also recommend getting a fish tan...

Life is crazy with its ups and downs.  I never would have thought I would be where I am now, yet here I am. I started working sophmore year of high school and didnt stop until my mom got sick with cancer and had to have treatments 5 days a week.  I dont regret stopping work to care for her, it was the best and worst time of my life. My mom and I became great friends and I came to understand her as a woman not just my mommie. The child in me misses her everyday and longs for the soothing tones of her voice, it always made me feel like everything was gonna be ok just because she said it.  Now my sons look to me to give that reassurance and comfort.  I never thought that I would have to protect them from their loved ones too. I see so many people that have subsidized housing that are lazy and trifling and unambitious. I just want a safe and clean home for myself and my children and I can't seem to catch a break, I think about how much money my kids would receive ...