Progress Report.

Simon's badge is not just doing well--it is TOTALLY AWESOME!!! What a special kid and a wonderful way to raise autism awareness. BTW my 14 yr.old daughter thinks Simon ROCKS, and especially loves looking and reading your LOs on him. :)

Simon's badge is not just doing well--it is TOTALLY AWESOME!!! What a special kid and an awesome way to raise autism awareness. BTW, my 14 y/o daughter thinks Simon ROCKS!
She especially loves reading and looking at your LOs of him. :)

I so hear you about the "what is normal"? question... We're feeling it from a different perspective (our son has attention issues) and I'm always asking myself what to work with and what to work on. (Hope that makes sense!) That book sounds great - must check it out. Sounds like it has universal significance.

Your album is cool with the big ring around it!
fond of UTEE too!!!
;o)
{ThE fReNcH tOuCh}
http://prolix.typepad.fr

So nice of you to share your thoughts on the book...you are SO right on regarding the doubt and moments of wonder that we ALL deal with by being parents.
Way to go on the autism badge too! That has got to feel SO awesome!

This is great news! Isn't the scrapbooking community a wonderful thing to be apart of?
I love your book, can 't wait to see more of it

how exciting that Simon's badge is doing well! keep up the great work! way to go!
your album is so sweet looking! what a clever way to use paper scraps! eager to see more of it!
have a great rest of your week and a great weekend! God bless :)

Your book is awesome! And it is also awesome that you have the top number of donations! How cool.

Ali, that same challenge applies to us. We are waiting (and waiting and waiting...) for an autism evaluation for Camden, and I'm constantly wondering if something he is doing is something a NT 3yo child would do, or if it's more than that. For isntance, he's closing all doors behind him all of a sudden, always reciting movie/tv scripts, on and on and on. I'm babbling, basically... I understand.
And I love your art collage book idea. Awesome.

Ali, Thanks for all that you do for the world of families who live with autism. You're a gem. Not only are Simon and Chris lucky, but so are we.
I find myself looking more at your blog for the autism stuff lately. Not that I am ignoring your art...not even possible.
Today's quote that I am living:
Be someone's joy.
Suz
www.suzannebalvanz.blogspot.com
CHECK MY BLOG FOR A GIVEAWAY today!!

so awesome that simon's badge is going so well
love your book too!!
you have the best ideas!! :)

"We are doing really well right now" is an understatement!!! So awesome!

So exciting!!!

Simon's badge is #1 - that's awesome. And I love your Daily Art book.

Sooo cool Ali! Very happy about the badge spot (No. 1, wow)...and like you said, let's "keep up the pace"! That's super cool!

I'm soooo happy that Simon's badge is doing so well!
You know Ali, I think this is why you touch so many people's hearts. You write from your heart. And when I read it, I think "OH MY GOD. I thought I was the ONLY one who felt that way!" It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
"The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you thought unique and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours." by Alan Bennett
We've been going through something similar with our son Vince (who has autism). He is in a regular education 1st grade class. We are fortunate that he is doing so well academically. But when he has a fit/throwing a little tantrum for something that he is not happy about, I am constantly thinking to myself "Ok, is he upset because he doesn't understand or is he upset because he DOES understand but doesn't want to comply?" It's a never ending battle. It would be so much easier if Vince could just tell me but reasoning with Vince is very challenging for him. Any type of abstract thinking is very hard for Vince to understand. So a lot of what I do is guess work. And all I can do at the end of the day is hope and pray that I did the right thing. Most of the time, I like to think that I've done the right thing. And sometimes, I know I've made mistakes. But that's the beauty of it all. Every day is a challenge but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.
So anyway, thank you for reaching out and touching my hand today. Have a wonderful day.
xoxo
jenny

Holy Cow! Your badge is #1! I gave this week, so I hope it helps. My son has PDD-NOS, so I can relate with trying to figure out the "normal" behavior versus the autistic-like behavior. I just talk with moms who's children are considered "normal" and try to compare from that. Sometimes Ben is being a typical 7-year-old and sometimes it's the PDD. Thanks for the book reference. I may have to read it soon. Thanks also for all your awareness sharing for our special kids.

Hi Ali!
I was so happy to see that your badge was doing so well! It is truly inspiring and I will be so happy when Kevin Bacon doubles the donation to Autism Speaks. My son, Blake, is 3 was diagnosed with Autism back in May and I completely understand what you are going through...trying to figure out what is an autistic symptom and what is normal. I have a typically developing 2 year old who is surpassing Blake in many areas which I find a little depressing, but in a way it helps Blake. He's not very verbal so when he learns a new word, it's party time at our house! Anyways, you are such a busy woman and I find it amazing that you are able to keep up with every thing and still be a great mother to Simon. I love reading the journaling on your layouts because it's really inspiring. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the picture of the tulips, Ali. They remind me of the thousands of tulips my Grandpa used to grow in his garden.
Brightened up a snowy, slushy day!

Simons badge is number 1 !!!! How cool!!!! Oh and loving that book, can you please share a peak of whats inside with us :)
thanks
hugs
j