I have real issues with the word Autism. I guess it is because we have 5 people in this house with the diagnosis.Autism to me has been so negated. The word autism has taken legitamite people and made them a definition. Medical doctors, and I truly question their credentials, have taken children who would never have fit the realm of autism and put them there. And then, here comes the parent's. The ones that think they will fix or cure their children. The one's that read everything the…[more]

I have always thought we had a unique family. We are who we are....We have 6 children. 5 of them autistic. That is not bragging rights, just what we are.I received a call from a mother the other day, who wanted to come and meet me. She just got the diagnosis of Autism for her son. I told her she was welcome, but she probably wouldn't like what I had to say. She said that she would take the chance.In walks this very pretty lady. She looked sad. We started talking. I explai…[more]

I am so excited Fall is here. I love to cook and I love to cook comfort food, such as stews, soups, chili, breads, muffins, cookies, etc.I know what you are thinking...I live in Texas. And yes, Fall is still 90 degrees. But, in my mind, it is 45 degrees outside and I am cooking COMFORT FOOD.As of right now, I have an oven full of homemade M & M cookies. Next up, chocolate chip. I have promised the teacher's I would make them, and I always keep my promises.My kids love when …[more]

 This is 48...Today, I turned 48 years old. I would never have predicted my life to be the way it is now.I would NEVER have envisioned 6 children. The Autism, well, I have always been one upfor a challenge, so the Autism never scared me. It made me back up a step or two, butI have never let it stand in my way or my children's way.When I turned 25 years old, I thought that if I made it to 40, I have made it.Well, I hit 30, 35, 40 and 45. My next big event is 50. 2 y…[more]

Yeah, that's my name. If you don't know any old George Strait songs, this will only be funny to me. As I sit here typing, I am adorned by a plastic child's fireman hat. Why, might you ask?....Good question. My youngest son, who usually leaves me alone in peace, as he watches his Barney and Wiggles videos on HIS television is insisting I wear this hat. I have tried to remove it several times, but it gets gingerly placed back on the top of my head. I am proud to say t…[more]

Those that know me are aware that I am a very proud person. I am not brilliant, but by no means am I stupid. I do, after all, hold a high school graduation diploma from Pflugerville High School, class of 1978. I was not the valedictorian, but I was not the bottom of the class of 80 students..My point...yes, I have a point.I have been trying, for almost a year now, to keep up with all the scientific mumbo-jumgo on the autism forums. I am now officially giving up on try…[more]

....AS A PRE-TEEN"!!!!That is what was announced to me yesterday morning. The date of Erin's birthday.Erin turned 12 years old yesterday. She is in the 6th grade and taking regular classeswithout the need for an aide. Erin's report card was 6 A's and 2 B's.Erin was born into this world SCREAMING. I gave birth to her in a Birthing Center. Therewere no medical interventions..meaning, no epidural, no pain medication, no immunizationat birth...just me, Patrick and a wonderful midwi…[more]

  Maybe it is just me...maybe, just maybe, because I approach Autism differently from others is why I do not see Autism as the same definition as others.  I don't look at Autism as a "struggle", "disease", "heartbreak" or "fight".   I look at my Autistic children and see all of their individual gifts.  I see the beauty in what their Autism brings our family and me.  I approach Autism not as a negative in their lives, but as something that wit…[more]

OUTNUMBERED....I was sitting at dinner, observing my children eating and conversing with each other. Typical talk from what society believes to be, non-typical kids.Erin and Meaghan are talking about pre-teen stuff, like music and Hannah Montana (of course). They are discussing how to use a knife and fork correctly (Erin had a light-bulb moment--priceless).Little Patrick is talking about what is going on in school this week and sports, of course. He is now hugging both sisters a…[more]

This is an excerpt from US Magazine...Jenny McCarthy opened up exclusively to Us Weekly about her son Evan's battle with autism, and how she won't stop her fight to be heard.When Jenny found out that her son had autism, she said that she made a deal with God that day. If God showed her how to fix Evan, then she would teach the world how to do it. "My perception of what is really important changed. Needing to have the best designer shoes? When your …[more]