Progress Report.

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...

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

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!

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!

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.

so cool about the badges!...the view was a rerun yesterday & it was the one with mr. kevin bacon...it was so cool to hear him talk about the badges & donating & think 'hey i did that':)...now i gotta cut loose...footloose...:)

This is Senator Chuck Hagel, from my beloved state of Nebraska. Go Senator Hagel!!!
Senator Chuck Hagel Introduces Autism Awareness Resolution to Senate Commitee
Monday, March 15, 2004
Resolution Affirms April as National Autism Awareness Month
On March 10, 2004, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of increasing awareness about autism and affirming April as National Autism Awareness Month. ASA, which first established the annual national autism awareness campaign more than 30 years ago, urges you to contact Senate Majority Bill Frist (R-TN) to ask that the resolution be called to the floor and voted on.
Senate Resolution 317 (S.Res. 317) recognizes "the importance of increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, supporting programs for increased research and improved treatment of autism, and improving training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism." The resolution overviews the basics of autism and highlights the alarming statistics, including the $90 billion that ASA estimates autism costs the U.S. economy each year.
S.Res. 317 also provides for eight resolutions, which, summarized, are: 1) supports April as National Autism Awareness Month; 2) commends families of individuals with autism for their sacrifice and dedication to their children; 3) supports the goal of Federally funding aggressive research into autism; 4) commends the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention for their "swift implementation" of the Children's Health Act of 2000; 5) stresses the importance of early intervention in improving outcomes; 6) supports the Federal government's commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); 7) recognizes the shortage of trained teachers in autism; and 8) recognizes the importance of worker training programs for developmentally-disabled individuals, who can be and are productive members of the workforce.
The resolution has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Many resolutions are introduced each year that never make it out of committee, so we urge you to help us increase the changes that S.Res. 317 will not suffer the same fate.

That book you made is just way too cute! What can we do to persuade you to show us the inside?

Ali I have four children and I have found that each one needs their own unique style of parenting....which can at times be hard but it makes me see the person. there are always times when we will get it right or wrong we just have to adapt to what that child needs at that time. There is this book called love languages for your child which is really good about how children give and receive love because each of us is different...it is learning how to see life from their view, whilst still providing boudaries and structure. Your are doing a great job!!

meant to say love the art journal.. I keep wanting to do your challenges on azine but just have so little time to fit it in..maybe an art journal is the answer!! Thanks for the inspiration

hey ali,
love your daily art book. i did the samething last summer...too much stuff with no where to put it.
here is a link to mine if you get a chance to see:
http://eliseblaha.typepad.com/photos/paper_art/may11.html
have fun with yours

what a beautiful book!!!

Hey Ali! I'm so excited about Simon's badge doing so well. I added it to my blog and asked everyone to donate. We just got an affirmative diagnosis of Autism for our three year old son, Nate this morning. Thanks for all you do. You are amazing!

Kinda funny story--having two kids with autism means I'm always looking outside of the family to answer the "what is normal behavior and what is Mr. Autism Strikes Again?" I remember clearly looking at some of your layouts of Simon and reading your journaling, before he was diagnosed, and thinking "see, Connor isn't that off from normal--Simon is just one year younger and acts a lot like Connor does!"

So funny that you should post this today... I actually just finished a layout about my daughter Hannah's experience. Very cathartic. I too struggle all the time with the "is this normal, is this a problem, or is this just Hannah?" question (she is also an only child). Ali, you are an inspiration to so many people... and not just as an artist. :) LOVE the art journal and I can't wait for the book!
Here's the link to my layout if you'd like to see it:
http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1089484
and the journaling is on my blog:
http://scrappyhare.blogspot.com/2007/02/hannahs-story.html

Can't wait to see what you've been up to with that yummy new BG paper!!!

Ali, I couldn't give much but I did what I could. I trained as a special ed. teacher and although I don't know where my path will take me now, I truly hope that this will make a difference. I've posted the link to your badge on my (little-read) blog, and asked my friends to give jsut a little if they can, too.

I have a similar sketchbook where I plan my projects and make a "left over collage" alfterwards. It is so much fun! Not rarely my collages are cooler than the planned layout ;-) i think it is because they are totaly pressure-less and done in a few minutes (with the "it is okay" from you in the back of my head. Looking forward to peep inside yours ;-)

Ali-thought of you yesterday when I was watching the Today show. They featured J-Mac, a boy living with autism that got a chance to play in his high school basketball game and scored 20 points in fifteen minutes. He has an amazing story, if you aren't already familiar with it, it is truly inspiring!
Glad you are able to use your fame for something so good. You truly are "real!"

Ali - thank you for your posts and for being so open about Simon. I am an early childhood educator and even with 28 years of experience, I still struggle with figuring out what behaviours are typical and what I should keep an eye on. When I read your blog, my heart grows a bit in love and respect for parents of all young children. thank you