Share the Gift of Simplicity and Ease With Those You Love...

Black Friday seems to contradict what ‘The Holiday Season’ is all about.

So, today I sit cozy and warm with my children while sipping hot tea and reflecting...

Over the past 6 years, I have learned to never take anything for granted… and that includes Christmas morning.

When you have a child who cannot comprehend why you allow a strange man in a costume come into your home in the middle of the night while you sleep OR have another child who is so catatonic that she cannot even open her own gifts… you have no choice but to recreate what the Holidays mean to you.

((For us, Commercialization and Idealization is far from the equation.))

Many of my own expectations have been calmed and put into perspective. I have surrendered “The Beaver Cleaver” Holiday to old re-runs… instead we have learned to make do with what we have and appreciate the little things. The most important thing (and this may seem cliche but it is true) is that we are together and offer unconditional love to one another.

I cringe when I think of the children exposed to too much commercialization at the holiday... and what message that sends to their expectations and sense of self. So, instead of Christmas Barbies and Gameboys... we construct homemade gifts. And instead of Reindeer and Santa cookies (loaded with artificial dyes and colors), we make a birthday cake and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus on Christmas Day.

I wish such simplicity to all families. To be in the moment of togetherness and pure unadulterated joy!! As we enter the Holiday Season, I suggest that you pause and allow ease into your life!! This alone could be the greatest gift you give to your child or loved ones... a more balanced you!!

Having said all of that, I know that my readers may still like a good deal for Black Friday... and the business woman in me will honor each of you too!! So, I am offering discounted gift certificates between now and Dec. 31 for my Energy / Meditation Work for Adults and Children. What better gift to give than something that will soothe the body, mind and spirit!

Adults Sessions ~ 60 minutes for $30 (50% Savings!)

Children Sessions ~ 30 Minutes for $15 (50% Savings!)

Distance Reiki Sessions ~ $5 (A Crazy Low Price for all of my friends who tell me all of the time, 'I wish you were in my town, country or village') J

All you have to do is make a payment via Pay Pal referencing my personal email account: ladysusan@sbcglobal.net

Then I will contact you via email to schedule your session and/or to confirm who is receiving the gift certificate and where to mail it… Yes, this is a great gift to give to your loved ones and friends…Energy based work promotes relaxation and reduces stress allowing the body’s innate intelligence to express itself and heal from the inside out. Doesn't that sound better than the re-gifted item that no one wants?

Who do you know that could benefit from an hour of “ME-time”? Or has a child that could benefit from the energy balancing?

Happy Holidays to you and yours!! May you each find simplicity in this season!!

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An Autism Christmas Poem: A Walk In Our Shoes

"Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
Asleep early for Christmas?
...an unlikely path

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When visions of Christmas
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift?
The right color and style?
Would there be a blank stare
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Friends & family come
But they don't understand
The pleasure she gets
Just from bending her hands.

"Just make her stop it," some say
"Just tell her "no",
“You must learn to be tough.."
On and on they go...

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The debate is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it's like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles, triumphs
achievements and regressions.

But what some don't know
And what some don't see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity.

She said "hello"!
She ate something green!
She looked me in my eyes
She did not cause a scene!

She peed on the potty!
Who cares if she's ten;
She stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!"

Some others don't realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don't see
Is the joy we can't hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With envy, with wonder,
Or even distaste,

What we want them to know
What's important to see
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don't get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try so hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don't get it
Or can't get a clue
Take a walk in our shoes
And I'll assure you…

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You'll look at us all
With respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is we go through
And the next time you see us
I can assure you

That you won't say a thing
You'll be quiet and learn,
Like the years I learned to
When the tables were turned.

~Christine Muczyk

(A Mom from the support group I lead sent this to me... powerful!!)

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My Soap Box: Don't Pretend to Care via Your Product or Service

The more I think about the HollyRod Holiday ipad giveaway the more annoyed I become... why are they putting such income limits on it ($35,000 for a single income and $50,000 for a two income family ~ that is not a lot of money in the world of special needs) and why does my SLP have to be in control of the giftcard ... so we don't qualify... that doesn't mean we can budget this tool that could make a HUGE SUBSTANTIAL difference in my child's life. Apparently, they don't understand the financial crisis in Autism Families.

Why is everything they say is essential so expensive... Biomedical case in point. It would cost me more than $500 to just get the appointment on the books for our local Bio-med doctor... for an appointment that is 12-18 months scheduled out... Yet, alone insurance won't touch the office visit, supplements, and other non-traditional therapies (the oxygen therapy intrigues me).

...Every one should be able to afford to get the care they deem necessary for their kids.

This is precisely why I offer substantial discounts to autism families with energy work... autism families cannot afford $60-$120 an hour for energy work... they can barely afford to feed their kids and pay for the co-pays for the traditional therapies... and unless you have been touched by autism there is no way you can understand this. I watch and listen... (I might burn bridges here) and I have seen countless energy workers trying to exploit this population... perhaps some are heart centered, but not all... I recently had one (a former mentor of mine) try to tell me the other day ... "she isn't autistic. She is on a spectrum, you should make an appointment with me to learn more. I could teach you a lot about 'THEM'!"

...Are you serious???

You went to one weekend course and you think you know more about the autism spectrum than I... who has lived it for the last 6 years? Do you not see the dark circles under my eyes... those are my battle wounds... I wear them with pride. I have countless hours of research at the university of google... and have witnessed countless pokes and prods on a little girl who couldn't comprehend why her mother was letting these strangers violate her space. I have hours logged in at the local lobby where I sit with other mothers (and fathers) and listen to their strategies. I spend every other minute of free time I have either in the library reading or on the world wide web talking to adults on the spectrum or other parents... I live, eat, sleep, breath Autism 24/7 !

Don't offend me!!

Nothing pushes my buttons more than seeing organizations, practitioners, doctors, pharmaceutics, authors, specialty merchandisers... (this list goes on and on!!!) ... that are trying to capitalize off of the challenges our children and adults on the spectrum have. And with the Holidays around the corner we will see more and more of this.

Okay, so maybe that was a soap box... sorry.

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IQ tests are done... now what? (Homeschool, Resource Room, something more creative??)

A portion of the verdict is in…

The psychologist called late last night (as requested) and said the IQ portions are done.

Our daughter is testing at an early 3^rd grade level, “…and that is being generous. It’s more second grade.” Although I am not surprised, as that was my assessment when we started homeschooling in the fall, I am feeling over whelmed.

(Note: She is 11 years old; in the 5^th grade ~ we started kindergarten at 6 years because we didn’t feel she was ready, so she was already technically a year behind her peers!)

My main question to veteran homeschoolers is this: Do you re-adjust the curriculum to meet the child where she is? I mean, after all, how can she do the 5^th grade stuff if she doesn’t have the 3^rd and 4^th grade skills? I know that seems like an obvious question, but...

if that is what we decide to do… what about those end of the year assessments?

If I am doing 3^rd grade curriculum with my 5^th grader, the 5^th grade assessment is ridiculous to even administer, right? And if she gets the ‘below proficiency ‘ (which by the way is what she got last year while IN PUBLIC school!!) on the 5^th grade exams, will the district and State of Ohio see that as me not doing my job with this kid homeschooling?

The psychologist explained the only way to put her back into the school system is if they got her an IEP for a severe Learning Delay (haven’t got all the formal diagnosis yet). And with this IEP they put her in a ‘Resource Room’.

Okay, so this is my next issue….

I have ‘issues’ (okay I have big issues) with the resource rooms… even for her sibling who has infantile autism!! It is seclusive, has a stigma, and I want her around peer models (which I know she isn’t getting at home either)!! This child’s emotional well-being is fragile, and this would destroy her!! (No, I am not over reacting, in case that popped into your head!!) This is a child who has been mainstreamed for her entire academic career up until now and…

So I know I already answered THAT question… no resource room for her!

That puts us back at homeschooling… AAARRRGGGHHH!! Apparently, I take this more seriously than then the “professionals” who said at the end of the school year that she was within the ‘norm’ (whatever that means!!) and denied any testing. Not only did they deny the MFE, they said even if they saw challenges in let's say math... they don't offer math intervention. Yes, I know they are totally out of line. I have been raising cain since the 2^nd grade and this particular school district has done nothing! I am rightfully upset!! But, my main concern is my daughter right now.... I will deal with the district later.

As a mother what do you do? Your child’s school days and progress mold their future… how do I help this child????

Okay, to be continued after we get the diagnosis in….

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