Autism Blogger

Well, I know it's been some time snce I was on last but so many things have been happening around here than there just hsnt been time.. That and we have been without internet for quite some time.

 But internet is back and our lives have stabilized out once again. I just gave up of pursuing Gabriel's father for child support. I'm not going to give that man the satisfaction of having to rely on him for finacial needs. So, I applied for SSI, after many months of waiting, Gabriel has been approoved and now Rent is easily paid, I can take my son to see his movies, he can go out to eat every other week, and I dont have to worry about bills being paid. 

 Gabriel is very upset that Summer is right around the corner. He loves school so much he actually hates summer vacation. LOL. Go figure right? But I understand that school is part of his routine and summer spoils that routine a bit. But we manage.

Not much else to really say at the moment.

Parents or other caregivers of loved ones with autism may qualify for valuable tax benefits, which may be overlooked by some tax preparers who are unfamiliar with the autism spectrum disorder. These unique tax benefits may entitle parents to additional refunds of thousands of dollars.

Families often incur a myriad of expenses because of their child’s treatment and life style expenses many of which are deductible as medical expenses. Taxpayers who itemize deductions can claim medical expenses to the extent that they exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income .The challenge is to be aware of which expenses may be allowable and to keep track of them.

Aside from the traditionally well known medical expenses such as prescriptions, doctors and dental treatments, eyeglasses, lab and hospital tests, therapies and health insurance premiums, there are many other deductible expenses you may not readily think of.

Your physical or speech therapist may recommend certain activities, such as music lessons, gymnastics, horseback riding, swimming, or other sports activities as an adjunct to the therapy. These expenses, as well as travel to and from these activities are also deductible. Be sure to ask your therapist or doctor to write an updated note recommending the suggested activity for your tax files.

In addition, you may choose to attend workshops or informative seminars or conferences about your child’s disability and treatment. The cost of these conferences as well as travel and lodging costs ($50 per night per person) may be deductible.  read more »

For a child, learning to write can be a daunting task. For a child with developmental challenges, that task can be even harder. But a Dallas woman has found an unconventional way that's helping kids learn to write in no time.

Seeing 7-year-old Harper read, you would never guess that just three years ago her family received a devastating diagnosis...one that may have stolen her ability to read and write.

"I didn't expect him to say Autism," Jay Espaillat said. "It was very scary. It really was."

The Dallas family went on a mission to find the very best help and found some in a most unlikely place. Marnie Danielson, a mom and occupational therapist from Dallas created an alter ego for herself several years ago. Miss Marnie, as she's called, teaches an approach to writing that is striking a cord with children on the Autism spectrum.

"I knew we were on to something when we played it the first day, and the next day we were outside on the swing and I heard her doing the song," Espaillat said. "It really got us over the hump with Harper learning her letters upper and lower case and preparing her for Kindergarten."

For Danielson, the news wasn't surprising. "I understand why because many children on the spectrum do love television," she said.

Five years ago in her private clinic, Danielson had a little boy unable to write his name. The boy's mom videotaped Danielson writing letters and singing made up chants so they could practice at home. A few days later, Danielson's phone rang.

"I get this voicemail hysterically crying 'He's writing, he's writing! We got him! We got to do it again'," she remembered.  read more »

I was wondering if anyone has any information on joint compressions and/or sensory brushing. I am just recently getting familiar with it as my 3 1/2 year old son just started OT last week and they suggested it for his high energy levels. If anyone has any stories about how it worked (or didn't work) for them that would help alot! Thanks! 

I was given a copy of Autism & Alleluias by Kathleen Deyer Bolduc. Kathleen Deyer Bolduc is a national recognized author and speaker in the field of disability ministry. The mother of a young adult son with autism and moderate intellectual disability, she has shared her inspiring story in doezens of articles in national publications. Visit Kathy's website at http://www.kathleenbolduc.com.

I'm offering the book Autism & Alleluias to the first Autism Blogger member with at least 50 points who comments on this article, with the caveat that you must write a book review on Autism Blogger when you are done reading it. Autism & Alleluias lists for $14.00 and is hot off the presses as it was just published March of 2010.

Any takers?

As a few of you already know I am recently widowed. My husband of 29 years turned 58 on February 25th, three days later he was dead, massive heart attack here at home. He'd been out weed wacking the back yard, came in & sat down and died. It was horrible. My life has forever changed. It was 2 weeks ago today at about 10 am. He came to me in a dream night before last. He was young and handsome, had a full beard, looked the way he did when he was about 38. We stood in a white room. He didnt talk. He just held me & comforted me. It was so real I could feel his flesh. I kept saying "Emile is this really you?" In my dream I knew he was gone. I will be moving as soon as I can. My wonderful brother & his wife have a rental home closer to where they live and as soon as they can get the tenant out we'll be moving. Free rent. I'll be ok financially. My son & I will be okay. He's going to attend school on the North side of town, in the best school district. Now I just have to learn to live without my husband who I lived with & loved for close to 30 years. This isnt going to be easy... 

Collection of autism songs and lyrics related to autism awareness and music therapy for autism. The best autism awareness songs in the world. AutismLyrics.com

We’re coming off probably the worst 12 hours we’ve had as a family. It started when I walked in the door with Ned last night and found Jill glaring into space and Alex glaring at a dark TV. “He pulled out my knitting!” she said. “We had such a fight!”

They must’ve. The TV was unplugged and Jill was wearing her iPod headphones, refusing to even listen to Alex’s complaints. The knitting project, apparently, was especially involved, and Alex did what Alex has lately been doing to so many things that don’t belong to him.

“Alex leave our stuff alone!”

 read more »

I recieved this book in yesturdays mail, a life line. She spoke my language, said the things I was affraid to say or even admit to  myself I felt. I sat on the couch reading and crying, reading some more. This book reached out and touched me, and allowed me to see myself good and bad and in between, and be okay with what I saw. I felt connected to the Author and her struggles in raising an Autistic son, I felt connected to her other boys as they struggled like my boys struggle. I see how judjmental we as parents can be in dealing with other parents who are just trying to do what they feel is the best thing for there child, and will always from this point forward respect other parents ability to chose for themselves even if it is not the choice I would make, and not feel like either choice is superior just different. I will make sure I take care off myself and make sure I stay emotionaly healthy so I keep my own identity ( some thing I have not done I felt to guilty). I will belly dance, or paint or whatever it takes to get to that place where there is peace. I will live a normal life with a child that I love who is normal in his own way and take more time to see his beauty as an individual not an Autistic.  This book is a must read in my opinion, if you are new to these issues like me or some one who would appreciate another parents life long journey raising an Autistic child, you will laugh with Susan and cry with her and you will appreciate her honesty.

Court says thimerosal did not cause autism <!-- Court says thimerosal did not cause autism -->

RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
AP Science Writer <!-- RANDOLPH E. SCHMID --><!-- AP Science Writer -->

<!-- WASHINGTON — The vaccine additive thimerosal is not to blame for autism, a special federal court ruled Friday in a long-running battle by parents convinced there is a connection. --><!-- -->

WASHINGTON — The vaccine additive thimerosal is not to blame for autism, a special federal court ruled Friday in a long-running battle by parents convinced there is a connection.

While expressing sympathy for the parents involved in the emotionally charged cases, the court concluded they had failed to show a connection between the mercury-containing preservative and autism.

"Such families must cope every day with tremendous challenges in caring for their autistic children, and all are deserving of sympathy and admiration," special master George Hastings Jr., wrote.

But, he added, Congress designed the victim compensation program only for families whose injuries or deaths can be shown to be linked to a vaccine and that has not been done in this case.

The ruling came in the so-called vaccine court, a special branch of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims established to handle claims of injury from vaccines. It can be appealed in federal court.