By Mary Ellen Bogucki Long before my daughter, Bree was diagnosed with Autism, we struggled finding opportunities for her to fit in. She didn’t behave like the other children in those mom and tot classes. I was well aware of this, but I didn’t appreciate it being pointed out to me by strangers. Inside, I was battling to accept the fact that something wasn’t right. I was also fighting with our pediatrician at the […]
by Mary Ellen Bogucki I think one of the hardest things that we faced with our daughter, Bree, was finding opportunities that she could participate in. Before we knew of her Autism diagnosis, we tried different “Mom and Tot” music classes or sibling swim classes. Unfortunately, they all ended the same way, with an intense meltdown by Bree and me wearing the perpetual red face of embarrassment. Eventually, I gave up, the rude comments, […]
by Colleen Berlingieri Does anyone else cry when they look through yearbooks? I was sitting in my living room this morning crying like a baby. My youngest son, Jacob, has given me his 6th grade yearbook to flip through. Jake: Mom! Are you crying? You are so weird! Me: Never mind – get me a Kleenex – some day you will understand! As I thumb through the pages I see this amazing kaleidoscope of kids […]
When 5-year-old Thomas was handed an Android tablet at the start of his regular weekend children’s class, he probably thought he was going to spend the next two hours playing a video game. But battling enemies, seeking power boosts, and conquering levels were not what his teacher had in mind. Like 1 in 68 children in the United States, Thomas had been diagnosed with autism and like nearly 40% of autistic children, he was almost […]
by Marguerite Elisofon Parents who raise kids on the spectrum learn early on what causes their sons and daughters to meltdown. Whether the trigger is loud noise, bright lights, clothing tags, or fear of elevators, families need an effective game plan to deal with the autism meltdowns provoked by sensory overloads. Sometimes maturity can help a child with autism outgrow certain triggers. Although warm and affectionate, our daughter Samantha hated holding hands as a […]
