tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.comments2013-09-06T05:30:27.521-04:00Green Mountain MomsAlysiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17214949515460359731noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-6776242630985711342010-07-28T14:02:00.046-04:002010-07-28T14:02:00.046-04:00You are so fortunate to have found a diagnosis! Se...You are so fortunate to have found a diagnosis! Seems like that's half the battle. Thanks for sharing your story. <br /><br />Sandy Avila<br />Director of Operations<br />Prepped & Polished<br />Tutoring, College Counseling, Test Prep<br />www.preppedandpolished.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-35098982669975820972010-07-23T13:36:19.984-04:002010-07-23T13:36:19.984-04:00Hello Alysia, before my son got an official label ...Hello Alysia, before my son got an official label from a professional, he and I received many labels from nonprofessionals. My son's were: brat, spoiled, undisciplined, attention seeker, wild, rude, etc. My parenting skills and I were labeled: bad, lazy, ignorant, excuse maker, etc. It was only after we got the label from a professional that I instantly over night was transformed in the eyes of others to: dedicated, selfless, amazing, educated, determined, etc. I am the same mom protecting and fighting for my child, nothing has changed. My son didn't instantly become aspie the day he got the diagnosis, he was born with it. But there was no understanding or compassion from others till the label. This is something that still boggles my mind. We haven't changed with the label, but the label changed the perspective of others. <br /><br />My son knows that he is on the spectrum, he knows what an advantage it is for him with retaining information, and understanding complex things he is interested in. He also knows that it challenges him socially and sensory wise, making him have to work extra hard in those areas, where he has to exert no effort in others. These traits make him exactly like every other human being on the planet...someone born with great strengths as well as great weaknesses. We are all in the same boat, his strengths and weaknesses just happen to have an official name and are in the DSM. <br /><br />A family member just spent time with him after not seeing him for a year. She shared that a year ago she thought there was no future for my son. He would end up having to be taken care of for the rest of his life. Now, a year later and a year of dedicated therapist, her view of his future is completely different. She now sees him as being successful and accomplishing what every he sets out to do. I always knew his future had the possibility of being what ever he wanted it to be. But sadly others, although they had more compassion once he got a label, they thought he would be limited to an empty life with out the ability to accomplish anything. My son was looked on with pity. Thank you Alysia for your commitment to raising awareness and educating people to how amazing our children are!Just another Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11055286051125648905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-24126473718880974342010-03-24T17:11:10.195-04:002010-03-24T17:11:10.195-04:00I label you awesome mom. :)I label you awesome mom. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-87549275242664681362009-11-16T12:02:29.060-05:002009-11-16T12:02:29.060-05:00Thanks Sasha! I will check those out. I have to ...Thanks Sasha! I will check those out. I have to figure out the right balance between teaching the boys about our history without disrespecting Tim's secular humanist views. What do you do in your house now?Alysiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17214949515460359731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-46195901002286575262009-11-16T11:00:06.987-05:002009-11-16T11:00:06.987-05:00Great essay Alysia. Have you checked out the reso...Great essay Alysia. Have you checked out the resources available at the Dovetail Institute? See www. dovetailinstitute.org? We used them in planning our wedding, but some of their books were also helpful in thinking about the approach to religioin we wanted to take in our family. <br /><br />When we eventually move back to DC, we hope to join the this group - www.iffp.net. I think it will be explore Christianity / Judiasm with others who take a similar approach.<br /><br />Have fun in the holiday season!Sasha Beth Gottliebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06334134680838997683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-43983823097897191132009-10-26T12:39:40.078-04:002009-10-26T12:39:40.078-04:00Thanks to both of you! It seems so cliche to writ...Thanks to both of you! It seems so cliche to write about slowing down since every parenting magazine talks about it but it's so hard to do in reality, especially when you have a kid who is just a little bit different than everyone else.Alysiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17214949515460359731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-58285545038946398012009-10-26T10:35:18.272-04:002009-10-26T10:35:18.272-04:00Alysia I can totally relate with wanting a solutio...Alysia I can totally relate with wanting a solution and answers yesterday and I can also say that the toughest moments for me with Bo and his struggles have happened when I am stressing about being late or hurried. I mean what is the big deal if he is late arriving to school a day here and there....does that mean I am not the perfect mom and he is not the perfect kid....we already knew that :) but when I am in the moment I can lose sight of the fact that sometimes letting go of outside expectations and just being together at a slower speed if needed can be ok and sometimes really incredible like your walk and Henry's joy in being able to just be. For me there is a balancing act between unconditional love and acceptance for my kiddo as he is now which fosters self-esteem and our relationship and the need to try to help him learn, grow and develop to the best of his abilities implementing all sorts of treatment and techniques. I have seen it again and again where Bowman is best able to move forward developmentally when not being pushed or pulled to do so but in the moments where he is able to just do it on his own terms. Thanks for the reminder ;-)Cherianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-87026582032586214522009-10-23T15:50:18.626-04:002009-10-23T15:50:18.626-04:00I love that!! It was beautifully written and I ca...I love that!! It was beautifully written and I can totally relate. At first it seemed you were writing about us. When we go on walks, I sometimes find myself saying "Come on, come on" trying to hurry them along for no particular reason. They are looking at things along the path, and I have to stop myself and realize that looking at things along the way is part of the adventure. What is that saying, "Life is about the journey not the destination." It's easier for me to see it when we are on a walk, but sometimes I think I hurry them along for no particular reason and we all just need to enjoy the ride that we are on.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660945029289597916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-21700189445159815362009-10-09T16:59:00.870-04:002009-10-09T16:59:00.870-04:00oh Charlotte! my heart sank when I read this. I we...oh Charlotte! my heart sank when I read this. I went through the same things with Henry last year. He has a lot of attention/sensory issues and had a hard time in circle, etc. when things were crazy around him. The teachers were unwilling to understand what he needed, and chalked it up to a 3 year old acting poorly. It wasn't until I had him ... Read Moreevaluated by our school system and changed to a classroom where they wanted him to succeed that his whole behavior/outlook changed. I suggest a meeting with the teachers NOW - don't wait - and understand exactly what is going on. henry's old teachers would tell me everyday what he did wrong. His teachers now tell me every day what he did right and how he's improving. So much better for everyone.Alysiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17214949515460359731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-10731703560715830172009-09-26T21:20:11.186-04:002009-09-26T21:20:11.186-04:00I am so impressed by how much you shared. You are...I am so impressed by how much you shared. You are a strong and amazing mom. New beginnings are always hard, but you always seem to look at them with such a positive attitude. I can't wait to read more from you!Alysiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17214949515460359731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3603140319577364070.post-67094889503495088352009-09-26T21:18:50.685-04:002009-09-26T21:18:50.685-04:00I loved it! I'm so glad you shared :) Of cou...I loved it! I'm so glad you shared :) Of course, I remember you as a force to be reckoned with at a young age...You are an amazing mom and your story just illustrates that. Can't wait to hear more of her adventures!Alysiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17214949515460359731noreply@blogger.com