Where There Is Love, Autism Will Find A Way
Rain Mom
by Kristi
2M ago
Love teaches us from many directions— joy, happiness, patience, understanding, empathy, humor and forgiveness. Losing a loved one can send us in a tailspin, as it did for me when my father died unexpectedly, right before Christmas. I was bombarded from all sides with an array of emotions- grief, shock, denial and anger to name a few. As I struggled to process the realization that one of the most significant relationships of my life had abruptly ended, something dawned on me. Despite the grief, I understood death is a part of life and that one day everyone dies. Then my thoughts turned to Jonat ..read more
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Unlocking The Doors to A Promising Future
Rain Mom
by Kristi
3M ago
As our children become adults, one of the biggest milestones is the day they move away from home and find themselves in front of a new door. Leaving a house that has provided decades of love, safety and happiness comes with mixed emotions for everyone. However, it is a natural progression towards independence and embracing the future. When an adult has a disability, it’s often hard to imagine there will ever be a door that opens to a future where those hopes and dreams become a reality. But it all starts with a knock. Part of the planning process for my son has included his future, with us and ..read more
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Drafting the Early Years of Autism
Rain Mom
by Kristi
6M ago
My last blog in the series, Creating Your Own Autism Parenting Guide, focused on the individual as the compass when drafting your own manual.  Knowing your child’s authentic self directs your path moving forward. So it should come as no surprise that those early years provide invaluable information as you design your own manual for parenting autism. Building a strong base begins here, but remember it is just the beginning, so leave room for the future as well. There are many moving parts that encompass the early years and selecting the right ones can be challenging. Honestly, it does rese ..read more
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The Best Autism Guide Is All About The Individual
Rain Mom
by Kristi
7M ago
Last month I posted a blog entitled Designing the Best Vehicle for Autism, that touched briefly on what I would include in my own DIY owner’s manual parenting autism. Given that my experiences range over 25 years, by volume alone it would require multiple blogs, so my readers wouldn’t fall asleep at the wheel. Everything I know and have learned for the most part has come from my son. Every path parenting autism starts with your child. So as I look at my own manual, all roads lead to my son― past to present. This journey from the start has been all about Jonathan. And that beginning was over 20 ..read more
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Will ABA Stay Afloat In The Rough Waters Of Controversy
Rain Mom
by Kristi
7M ago
Applied Behavioral Analysis or ABA has been a treatment modality used for decades and is still used today.  For many parents like myself, it was one of the first recommendations given to me by numerous professionals and parents when Jonathan was diagnosed in 1998. Now 25 years later it has fallen under harsh scrutiny, criticism and controversy from parents, professionals and most importantly, autistics. Yet, there remain a large number of the aforementioned who are still in support of ABA. The question remains, will ABA continue to stay afloat or is it a sinking ship?  For those pass ..read more
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Designing The Best Vehicle For Autism
Rain Mom
by Kristi
8M ago
It’s exciting and fun to pick up a brand new car, as I did last week. All shiny and new right off the sales floor waiting for you to hop in and drive. However, attempting to familiarize yourself with all the features, operations and newest technology requires assistance from the owners operating guide. I sat there for quite some time looking at the very thick book and realized there was much to learn. For whatever reason I thought to myself, how nice it would have been if I had received something similar when my son was diagnosed with autism. How the journey with autism resembles all the intri ..read more
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The Most Beautiful Fireworks Display: Autism’s Independence
Rain Mom
by Kristi
9M ago
With the recent celebration of our nation’s Independence Day full of patriotism and fireworks, I began to consider another form of independence. My mind sparked to autism as it often does in a variety of scenarios, places, occasions or dates. My thoughts rarely take a holiday from autism. So why should the 4th of July be any different? Independence is a word with a variety of definitions per se. We all strive for it at various times and places in our lives, time and time again. By definition, independence is the state or quality of being independent with freedom from control, influence and the ..read more
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Mentoring Autism From The Most Significant Perspective
Rain Mom
by Kristi
9M ago
   Over the many years as I have loved and parented autism, I’ve worn numerous hats mentoring my son. I have been his mother and advocate. His protector and interpreter from those who didn’t understand or accept his differences from their own. I’ve been his therapist in a wide variety of supports from emotional to behavioral, his health and welfare practitioner and most often his voice. While I have embraced every role with my heart and soul, in retrospect it never dawned on me that maybe my choices may not have been what he wanted for himself. I think back to the early years, when I ..read more
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Lessons in Love, Acceptance and Inclusion
Rain Mom
by Kristi
10M ago
It is the last week of the 2022-23 school year and things are winding down. Desks, lockers and classrooms are being cleared of a year’s worth of work. Activities like graduations and classroom celebrations are in full swing. And just when I think the bell is about to ring signaling an end to my classroom advocacy this year, I’m reminded my assignment is far from complete.  Advocating is something I’ve learned over many years. Years with my autistic son and years with the numerous students I’ve supported. I’m a huge proponent of inclusion and always will be. Segregation of any kind, in my ..read more
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Weathering The Storms of Life With Autism
Rain Mom
by Kristi
11M ago
In many ways life with autism resembles the weather. Some days are bright, beautiful and sunny, others are dark, cloudy and foreboding. There are cold days, hot days, wet, dry and everything in between. At times the weather can be downright nasty and unpredictable. Such was the case for me Sunday morning. A storm had formed on the horizon without warning—one I never saw coming but upon arrival left some devastating consequences and destruction all its own.  As with most storms, once the winds settle and the rains subside you’re left to assess the damage. You begin the clean up, salvaging ..read more
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