Love

From Facebook dated April 10, 2013:

My kid has autism and I love him as much as I would if he didn't, maybe even more so. Loving him is the easy part. While most parents worry if their kids will be liked, make the sports team, get into a good college, find the right mate, make a good living - I forever worry if my son will be taken advantage of, or worse abused, loved or at least liked by someone after I am gone. #LowVerbal #AutismParenting #AutismAwareness

Why I Advocate: World Autism Day 2013 & Willowbrook

Double the Meaning- Single Donations Helps 2 Organizations

Just wanted to send our thanks to all who purchased Girl Scout cookies from Sophie this year - she met her goal and

sold 250 boxes!

Of those 250 boxes, Sophia also gave the option for people to donate cookies to the St. Joseph's Food Pantry - and she was able to get

42 boxes donated

to families in need right here in our community!  We are so lucky to have such generous friends and family to help out Sophia, the Girl Scouts and the Food Pantry - that's the way to do it!

We avoided doing online requests this year - because the Troop doesn't cover shipping costs - so it was hitting Mom and Dads wallet kind of hard. 












We look forward to another great year next year!  Thanks again!

Yankees

Trying to teach Zach to say "I love you" while using sign language as a visual prompt.

 Zach: " I love Yankees" 

Well there you have it folks! 

Music Therapy week #3

We started Music Therapy. This was Zach's 3rd appt - and each time it keeps on getting better and better. This woman is wonderful in so many ways. She definitely has a calling for this field and we are lucky to have her and her family in Syracuse.

She is a board certified music therapist and her level of professionalism shows.  To find out more about this credential you can check it out here www.cbmt.org. 

Some research to look into can be found at National Institute of Health Publications

Sophia' Sentiments # 376

While talking to her girlfriend about her chameleons who have been fighting...

Sophia: "Sometimes life is tough."

Party Invitations

Zach received his 1st invitation to a birthday party from a typical classmate this year. He will go, I will be there for support, and it will be great! This is an example of what those with typical kids can do to make the day of a special needs parent and their child. :) Another lucky duck moment brought to you by the Morphets.

All year I have wondered why he hasn't received one single invitation: Did they know he had special needs and didn't invite him because of it?  Were the teachers not putting the invitations in his backpack? Either of these scenarios stings a bit, but I sort of understand why parents might make this choice,too - they are scared because they have no experience with special needs. I know before Zach I would have been scared too.  But one walk into Zach's school to drop him off says it all - things I wish people could observe about their kids - these kids go out of their way to greet him.  "Hi, Zach" echoes down the hallway as I walk him to class.  The occasional free spirit will break away from their lunch line to ask Zach for a high five, a skill we had to work on, which is now automatic for him.  

Our kids are better at this stuff than we are.  And I think we have inclusion to blame for that.