March 2008
Monthly Archive
Picking Up the Pieces of Autism
Posted by Myra on 10 Mar 2008 | Tagged as: Site Information
Welcome to momsonautism.com!
You most likely landed here because someone you know and love–a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a niece, nephew, cousin or friend’s child–has been diagnosed with Autism.
My friend, Lisa, and I are two Moms who have sons with Autism. As parents, we are always reminding ourselves how far Mateo and Darby have come and not to compare them to anyone but themselves. Through it all we have found the positive strength to cope with this frustrating disorder.
Momsonautism.com will be community that shares positive stories about Autism though posts and podcasts that relate our experiences with various therapies, programs and strategies. We welcome contributions and comments about your family and your experiences.
We hope this will be as “therapeutic” for you as it has been for Lisa and me putting it together (with a LOT of help from wonderful friends!).
Written by Myra, mother of 7 1/2 year old Darby.
Podcast 2: Our Experiences with Applied Behavioral Analysis
Posted by admin on 30 Mar 2008 | Tagged as: Podcasts
Our experience with Applied Behavioral Analysis - learning about the program and our sons’ responses.
Podcast 1: Introducing Lisa and Myra, the Moms behind Momsonautism.com
Posted by admin on 30 Mar 2008 | Tagged as: Podcasts
Welcome to our website. We’d like to introduce ourselves and our family. Please take a moment to listen to this inaugural momsonautism.com podcast.
Thoughts from Lisa (lisa@momsonautism.com)
Posted by Lisa on 25 Mar 2008 | Tagged as: Parents and Autism, Site Information
Welcome to our website! We hope it inspires you as much as we are inspired by our special sons.
This is so important to my best friend Myra and I because we are both parents of two wonderful little boys with Autism. When Mateo was diagnosed at the age of 4 1/2 I really was devastated. Looking back now I know that devastation came from not really knowing what Autism is.
Since his diagnosis I have met the most wonderful people who I call “angels” because they have helped me understand that Mateo just has to learn differently. It’s not in anyway that he can’t learn, it’s just that he has different abilities.
My husband and I have six children, a girl and 5 boys, and having one with Autism has been such an experience. Believe me, some days are extremely difficult, but most days I can hardly believe how much my family has grown. We all work together to help Mateo on a daily basis.
Our kids know that not everyone learn the same way and though it may take time and a lot of patience, that’s what life is all about. Everyone in the world is different as an individual, but still they are special and quite important.
Autism will not hold Mateo back from anything that he can be, because with early intervention and constant faith, I know he will be one awesome and amazing person!
Thought from Darby’s Grandma
Posted by jackiesuek on 21 Mar 2008 | Tagged as: Autism in the Family
Before my Grandson, Darby, was diagnosed as having an Autism Spectrum Disorder, I knew very little about Autism. I had heard of the most severe type, where the afflicted child might display violent behavior of hitting their head against the wall or in some cases attacking a caregiver. Therefore, I was very distressed when I learned that Darby had a form of Autism. He was such a sweet, loveable little guy. What would become of him as he grew older & began displaying violent behavior? Would he hurt himself or his loved ones? I prayed so very hard that he would be spared that fate.
My daughter, Myra, did much research & tapped into local resources to get as much help as possible for her son. She soon had Psychology students from a local university coming into her home 4 or 5 days a week to work with Darby. I was so amazed at how quickly we began to see changes in my Grandson’s behavior & vocal skills. He went from a few word vocabulary to repeating almost anything we ask him to repeat. He is generally able to communicate with us and get his message across even though he doesn’t speak in full sentences & generally doesn’t initiate conversation.
A few months after beginning the program with the students, Darby spent the night with us. I leaned over to give him a kiss after tucking him in & he said, “Wuv you”. It was a first from him & I left the room in tears. It was then I realized he’d always be that sweet, loveable guy regardless of his verbal skills of lack of them. He is learning strong values from his loving parents and he understands right from wrong.
We still don’t know what the future holds for Darby, but I no longer worry that he’ll be a violent person who would hurt himself or others.