Progress Report.
Someone sent me a link this morning to the sixdegrees.org site where they now have the top 10 badges listed - we are doing really well right now. Let's keep up the pace. Thank you again for supporting this cause.
I was contemplating some challenges we are having around here while driving home from dropping Simon off at school this morning. One of the things we face in our home is the challenge of figuring out what are "normal" kid behaviors and what are "autistic" behaviors and how do we deal with each. Part of this comes from not having any other kids to compare to (this is a mixed blessing) and part of it comes from just being a parent - the same as everyone else - figuring it out as you go along.
It's easy & natural for any parent to go a little crazy with wonder and questions, isn't it?
I am reading a book right now called Making Peace with Autism: One Family's Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts. Really enjoying it and the message behind the entire story. This review from the Pennsylvania Gazette summs it up nicely: "This book is as much about the very nature of parenting as it is about
autism. The issues Senator raises are issues faced, in some measure, by
every family, and she captures the hard work as well as the importance
of enjoying life along the way. Making Peace is a book that every
parent should read, for it provides tremendous insight into the mind of
an autistic person, and is likely to engender compassion and
understanding towards individuals with autism spectrum disorder."
So much of that is what we strive for: enjoying life along the way.
I also wanted to share a 8x8 book I started yesterday (book is from Rusty Pickle). I was looking at the mess all around my desk and decided it would be cool to chronicle the projects that are going into my book by creating collages of products, photos that didn't make it onto the layout/project, extras, journaling mistakes, etc. These are quick little collages - grab the glue stick or stapler and stick the stuff inside.
On the cover I punched squares (most of the papers are from Basic Grey & the rub on letters are American Crafts), adhered them, and then embossed the top with ultra thick embossing enamel (UTEE). It was a fun way to clean up after a day of creating yesterday. I am also planning on adding some bits of "life ephemera" (receipts, etc) into the mix as I go along.
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. :)
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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. :)
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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.
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Your album is cool with the big ring around it!
fond of UTEE too!!!
;o)
{ThE fReNcH tOuCh}
http://prolix.typepad.fr
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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!
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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
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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 :)
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Your book is awesome! And it is also awesome that you have the top number of donations! How cool.
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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.
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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!!
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so awesome that simon's badge is going so well
love your book too!!
you have the best ideas!! :)
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"We are doing really well right now" is an understatement!!! So awesome!
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So exciting!!!
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Simon's badge is #1 - that's awesome. And I love your Daily Art book.
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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!
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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
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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
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Your Daily Art book ROCKS!! When YOU put stuff thrown together it's ART but when I do that how come it looks like "stuff thrown together?!!" Peace and blessings...
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parenting - great job, isn't it?? LOL. we struggle with that issue everyday and we are blessed with 2 typically developed children. . .but honestly, I have no frame of reference for my kindergartner. . .what's normal?? LOL
i'm reading "positive Disipline" right now, and am a big fan of the Family Manager series from Kathy Peel. . .I tend to be Type A and like things planned and orderly. . .yeah, that works with kids!!
Hillary
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Parenting is all about enjoying the moments along the way. I have four children, the youngest struggles with autism. Much of time it is the human struggles that are toughest - an remembering that my son is a little boy first and has autism second. Funny too, but I think that most of the solutions to his "autism" problems have been some combination of regular kid solutions just broken into parts or repeated with enthusiasm.
And, at the end of the day, the most powerful interventions for my son have been relationship based.
I so appreciate your calmness and positive attitude. I remember the day you posted the sign "It is ok." I remember that a lot of days.
Thanks!
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As always - this is so dead-on! Our son is an only child, too (PDD-NOS) and our friends and family are so used to our calls "Ummm, Sam is doing XYZ - do YOUR kids do that? Is it "normal?" Just quirky? Something to be worried about? Always thinking about that blurry line between what behavior should be "worked on" and what behavior is an integral part of his unique personality. Or both!
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I love your art book! Thanks for sharing your latest project.
And we struggle with many of the same things that you mentioned in terms of what is "normal". My daughter (5 1/2) has sensory integration disorder and we still don't know what is normal. We only know what "our normal" is. And we just try to cherish each moment, recover from the meltdowns, and try to see what we could have done differently or what we can learn from it, be an advocate for our daughter, and provide her with structure and tools to help her understand herself and cope with her difficulties. Dealing with many of the challenges hasn't been easy but it's made me realize that I have much more patience than I ever thought. And has made me more tolerant and understanding of others.. and for that I am so grateful. Good luck. And just take it one day (or moment) at a time. IT will all turn out okay.
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