SHARE if you agree!

Please like and share this incredibly powerful Asperger's quote from Stuart Duncan- thanks:)!

From our fan, Kaela! I love this! - Bryan — with Michael Downing.

Sound. Intense sensitivity to sound is a common autism symptom. Loud noises may be painful. The din of a city street or a mall can be too much. When overwhelmed, people on the autistic spectrum may cover their ears to try to block out the noise. They may also start up self-soothing behaviors such as rocking or shaking their hands. Some people with autism also have central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), a condition that makes it difficult for them to perceive subtle differences in sound and language.

Other symptomsMany people with autism have symptoms similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But these symptoms, especially problems with social relationships, are more severe for people with autism.About 10% of people with autism have some form of savant skills-special limited gifts such as memorizing lists, calculating calendar dates, drawing, or musical ability.1Many people with autism have unusual sensory perceptions. For example, they may describe a light touch as painful and deep pressure as providing a calming feeling. Others may not feel pain at all. Some people with autism have strong food likes and dislikes and unusual preoccupations.Sleep problems occur in about 40% to 70% of people with autism.

YOU MIGHT BE AN AUTISM PARENT IF...1. You have to change the movie your child is watching 10 times in 5 mins because he wants to watch something else. 2. You watch the same film over and over again and don’t complain. 3. You get both hit and hugged within 5 seconds of each other. 4. You can’t wait for your child to go to school after a hectic weekend but miss them minutes after school starts.5. You would trade everything you have to spend just half an hour in your child’s mind to know how and what they’re thinking. 6. You find yourself using your child’s therapeutic coping strategies for yourself. 7. Your blood boils every time you see a status update about an autistic child being bullied. 8. The definition of a clean house is now one that doesn’t have an overflowing trash can, dishes in the sink are rinsed, and laundry is at least in the hamper or in the basket. 9. Your friends fade as your life is consumed by appointments with therapists, teachers, doctors, case managers, intervention specialists who you almost feel like are your new best friends because you spend so much time around them and the subject of conversation is your children… 10. A ‘good day’ means no one’s in the hospital, no one from the school called, no one from the police department is standing on your lawn and everyone’s sitting in one room without a problem. 11. Someone walks into your house and asks if you live in a dangerous neighborhood and you say no… the window locks, gate locks and three types of door locks are to keep my kid in… not bad guys out. 12. Your blood boils and it touches a nerve whenever you hear a child with autism or any child with special needs being called the ‘R’ word. This list was compiled from comments made on our page at Single Mothers who have Children with Autism.

Isa wrote: This is me with my twin Autistic sons Damane & Darnelle. When I had them at 18, I didn't realize that I'd have two angels teaching me what life is really about on a daily basis. They were put here to teach me and others what a lot of people take for granted. And for that I'm thankful.

AUTISM FOR DUMMIES Here are a few things you need to know when dealing with kids with autism. Those of you that have typical kids, or love someone with autism, please take note:1. Please don't say to the parents, "can't you just". No we can't just give him something else to do, distract him, blah blah blah. If we could, don't you think we would?2. Please don't tell us to ignore his behavior. "Have you ever tried ignoring it when he tells you something repeatedly?" Well I challenge you to hear "I can eat dinner at 6" every 30 seconds for five hours. Seriously. 3. Please don't ask us "why do you think he is having a meltdown or why is he so upset?" when it seems to be for no apparent reason. Um because he has autism, that's why. If I could get that info, I would.4. Please don't say the following, "wow you have so much on your plate", or "oh you are a saint". We have our plate and it's no bigger than anyone else's. I am far from a saint and pity is really offensive. Everyone has life and parenting challenges.5. Offer to help and mean it. If you want to help your friend or family member, babysit, come over and engage the kid, or just listen if we need someone to talk to. We don't expect anyone to solve our problems, we just need empathy and action.6. Don't ask us if our kid is going to college, going to drive, or going to live on his own. We would have a better chance of drowning in the bathtub than knowing that.7. Never give up on our kids. Never look at them and think they have limitations. They may be different but they are not less!!! ( Temple Grandin credit there).I am sure I can come up with more. Just like autism, nothing is as we expect it to be, so this is not a top ten list, it's a top seven!~ Via autisable.com

College is definitely an option for some of our children, and for those that cannot go this is encouragement for all to excel at what they do best, even if it is a smile., because even a smile can be a major accomplishment for some, and something to be cherished.

My 4 year old son is non verbal. He is not toilet trained, he may or may not look you in the eye and he loves to flap and spin. He loves numbers and loves his own company. He loves my iphone and ipad. My baby does not tell me hello or goodbye, how he feels, what he sees, what he wants or what he dreams. I am yet to hear what his voice sounds like...Honestly, there are times when I am down and out and positivity and all that jazz is few and far between... And then I notice when my monthly phone and internet bill comes in that there are some extra charges ... It seems that my little man has downloaded and bought a few Thomas the Tank Engine movies, amongst other things.. My little man, who has not spoken a word, who spends his days with numbers and puzzles and hand leading me to what he needs and what he wants, can apparently READ, well enough to scroll and navigate and find his way through the world of technology to purchase things like Thomas the Tank Engine, at my expense... And you know what? He can download all the Thomas the Tank movies he likes. And this Mummy won't say a word. ~Kara Knight's Story

My grandson is 24 years old and has Asperger's Syndrome. before he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome I knew nothing about it, had never heard of it, and many times accused him of being lazy...He was 15 when he was diagnosed...then I researched it, and learned a lot and am still learning a lot,,,one thing I learned...people with Asperger's Syndrome are not lazy...if they do not understand a reason for doing something it does not get done...Explanations are extremely important, explanations that do not seem like a lecture.. It has been explained that those with Asperger's Syndrome are not lazy, they conserve energy. if they do not see the need to use their energy they do not...this was brought home to me the other day in a most unusual way,,,my grandson, age 24, asked me to fix him something to eat, and he was very clear that he wanted something that he did not have to chew very much. I was concerned that he might have a toothache, and asked him if a tooth hurt, he said no, no tooth ache. then I asked if his jaw hurt, he said no, everything was fine. So I asked him why did he want something that he did not have to chew very much..his answer was that he just did not feel like chewing that day, did not feel like using the energy...and he was serious...several days later I brought it up, and he said that he would be happy just swallowing his food, not having to chew anything, very serious...so I learn something every day, but unfortunately for him he still has to chew his food...I guess soup is an alternative!!

'LIKE' & 'SHARE' to help someone become Autism Aware. — with Dustin Henning and 10 others

Please, everyone, read this. Thank you.

On August 29th, Dr. Temple Grandin celebrated her 66th birthday!!! Diagnosed with Autism, she didn't speak until the age of 4. She was teased a lot and earmarked to be institutionalized. She's now an acclaimed writer and great speaker who also earned her Phd. Autism didn't stop her. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE ANYONE WITH AUTISM. How many 'LIKES' can we get for this amazing woman who has been a beacon and great source of inspiration in our Autism community? HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TEMPLE!!! — with Cambria A Sheridan and Philoz Manyanga Amoyo.

Today I am sharing my adventure in moving. I am moving. We are moving. Our projected move out date is September 13, ten days from now. My primary helper is my grandson. He is 24 years old and has Asperger's Syndrome. He is very helpful, but has to understand exactly why it is important to pack now, after all, we have ten days left. He is already packed, when we moved here, over a year ago, he was aware of the possibility that we would not stay here forever, so he only unpacked a few of his things, and I could not convince him to unpack anything else. Now he tells me I should have not unpacked, then I would not have to pack now...sounds good... and now we are working around conserving energy, he does that a lot... trying to pack our/my things so we are prepared to move in ten days..I have to go now..it is time to pack some things and we are in a window of using energy.!!!.

By Autism - Day to Day, A Place to Share — with Linda Trinh and 12 others

Hey everyone,for those that don't know, my friend Erin Clemens is an autism advocate in PA. She is asking for volunteers to help her in any way possible. Some things you can do are getting the word out, helping her with her sites, organizing and scheduling events. I may am going hold an online volunteer orientation soon for those That want to do morehttps://www.facebook.com/erin.clemens.58

Talk about precision!!! Can you relate?Rosa wrote:Just a little something my daughter did this morning!

"Like" if you agree!

True. Autism Family Circus

When my grandson was six years old, before we knew he had Asperger's Syndrome, we moved to a very small mountain community. Here he was able to grow up in a community that accepted the differences that people have, though he did have a difficult time with some of the children, but there were so few here that it was easy to solve and correct problems. Now we are preparing to move away from this safe haven, and it is frightening at times to think about the trials that we, and he, may have to experience in a much more populated area, but it is time for him to continue to grow. I have four children, without Autism/Asperger's Syndrome, and knew nothing about Autism and had never heard of Asperger's Syndrome until my grandson was fifteen years old. The education I have received from my grandson far exceeds any education available in a school/college..I do not know how I would have coped with what so many parents have had to cope with in communities with much larger populations. I have great respect for parents raising their children around families, friends, and associates not understanding the challenge of raising a child with Autism, and the difficulties that follow into adulthood. As the below is read if you do not have a child/loved one with Autism maybe you can reach into your hearts and see if there is something you can do to make a parent's/caregiver's day brighter.

Mikey, a book about a day at school seen through the eyes of a child with autism, that teaches acceptance, awareness and tolerance of children with autism, belongs in every school, in every city, in every state, in every country. You can make it happen! Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

From Autism Spectrum Disorder, through my eyes. — with Mary Benoit and 19 others

An emotive autism e-card:). Feel free to share:).

This is quite a fascinating page, worth having a look at.

This is so true as I can seriously fall asleep at the oddest times of the day

"Autism is a diagnosis, not a dead end. It's the beginning of a whole new world with a roller-coaster of adventures...sometimes up and sometimes down but never a dull moment."

FROM: Elizabethe Decolonized ThundercloudAutism is not a mental health issue, it is a neurological issue. One which most states, city states, do not treat very well. Many who have an autism spectrum disorder, need behavioural therapy, speech therapy focused on the cognitive & receptive areas of speech, life skills enabling them to live as independently as possible. Shadows to enable people on the spectrum to travel on public trans portion.What exists instead of the services autistic people need on this health care bill is rhetoric about how much Obama considers & cares for all mentally ill people. Nothing is done to help the situation, & as a result, more & more autistic spectrum folks (such as myself) get none of the needed services.There is a Draconian move waay backwards, to chemically restrain adults & children on the spectrum, so they can be warehoused right here in Washington DC,as well as other people I have heard from across the nation, this needs to be addressed in the next love letter delivered to Obama by AnonsNovember 29th 2013, there will be a rally & march to protest the lack of services for the autistic. The destruction of families with autistic loved ones. We will meet at Lafayette Square Park (in front of the White House) 12:00 on the 29th. Please come & bring others

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43154 SIGN SIGN SIGN!!!

Adult Aspie RetreatOctober in Saint Johns, ArizonaI just won an eBay bid for 40 acres of land in the White Mountains, 14 miles from the nearest city (St. Johns) that I intend to use as a getaway or retreat center for adult aspies and their families. This is not going to be a conference center but a retreat of solitude and quietude where Aspies can get away from the burden urban areas can sometimes put on aspies. I really hope my plans for this land transpire so I helphttps://www.facebook.com/Aspergersjb/

Share for autism awareness!

It is parent conference time, if your conference revealed your child is experiencing difficulties in any academic area, please get your child help now. Do not wait!!

Check out this awesome Card Set by Ben from Australia! Ben says he and Magnus are "a team, helping each other". Right on, Ben! We welcome more participants from anywhere in the world, register at www.magnusmode.com and take part in a growing movement for autism! #Autism #AutismEducation #OnlineEducationGame #LifeskillsTraining #Aspergers #ASD

Help! My son is "stuck" on the idea that he's going to bring his wooden sword and shield from the Renaissance Fest to school to show friends. Of course, this is against the rules (weapons, no show and tell in his school, etc). I feel for him, but I'm also about to go bonkers with his obsession over this. He got the sword/shield on Sunday, and has asked dozens of times in the past two days. I emailed the teacher a pic and asked if he could share with his friends via pic. He is certain they won't believe him, and even that they might think the picture is fake. I'm losing my mind here. Ideas?

SHARE if you love someone with autism!