Autimisms: Hope and Inspiration

(c)2015 geekclubbooks.com
AUTIMISMS
the second little e-book of

autimism:
approaching the
autism journey with
an optimistic outlook

hen my son
was young,
he was very
different from all his
peers. It wasn’t until
he was a teen when
he was diagnosed with
Aspergers Syndrome.
But back then, being
on the spectrum was
a mystery, even to
the professionals who
worked with him. Here
was my precious child,
my beautiful son, and
there were few people
I could turn to for any
answers or advice. I
relied on my uncon-
W ditional love, intuition
and fierce determina-
tion to help him with
what he needed when
he needed it. Oh, how
I longed to find even
one other parent who
would understand
without explanation.
Today none of us is
alone. We may be
walking down different
paths, but there is a
treasure trove of kind
and wonderful parents
and autistic individuals
there for us when we
need them.
I don’t look at autism
through rose colored
glasses. I know there
are challenges—we
live through many of
them—but I made a
choice to always come
from a place of hope
and optimism. And
when my soul needs a
boost of support, I turn
to my dearest friends
from the autism com-
munity—many of
whom I’ve never met in
person.
I’ve asked some of
them to share their
positive thoughts
about their own stories
with you in this E-Book
of Autimisms Two.
I know you’ll enjoy
reading what these
amazing moms who
have their own popular
blogs and Facebook
pages have to say. It
is my greatest wish
that their words will lift
you up and carry you
on your own autism
journey.
have you read autimisms one?

with each challenge we are given,
we learn something new.
Sarah, Mosswood Connections

ife with autism isn’t
all unicorns and
rainbows but it isn’t
all gloom and doom ei-
ther. Our life with autism
has brought us untold
blessings and joy. I have
become a much more
grounded, patient and
humble person. Autism
has allowed me to be a
better wife, mother, par-
ent and teacher. Autism
has introduced me to the
most amazing people
that I would have never
have met otherwise. I was
always worried that my
daughter would have less
because we had to give
our son so much more,
but she has grown into a
wonderful compassionate,
strong young woman be-
cause autism has helped to
strengthen each of us and
our family.
L
Michelle, Monkey Business

ince the day we found out my
son was autistic our journey
has been one filled with head
scratching, mind-boggling, unex-
plainable curiosities and events. And
you know what...I wouldn’t trade all
that for the world. You see my son
has taught us all how to embrace the
unknown, celebrate the unpredict-
able, push boundaries and he has
forced me and everyone else to see
the world in so many different ways.
And that my friends is a beautiful
way to live!
S
Sharon, Mama’s Turn Now

earch for the
lessons you can
learn from your
special child. As you
help that person to
be the best they can
be, you will likely find
yourself becoming
better and stronger
as well. Autism has
taught me compas-
sion and empathy on
a level I never under-
stood before. Au-
tism has taught me
patience to a degree
I never dreamed I’d
achieve. Autism has
taught me humility.
S After raising older
children that excelled
at almost anything
they tried, I had
become somewhat
conceited. Hum-
bling is exactly what
I needed and I am
thankful I have been
humbled. Autism has
taught me that “one
size fits all” does not
apply to parenting.
Children with special
needs need special
parenting. Autism
has taught me a lot
about hard work and
that the hard work
will pay off. Autism
has taught me that
people with special
needs have a lot to
offer. I used to be in-
timidated by people
with special needs.
I now know they
are just people who
might take a little
longer to respond
or need a little more
help to get things
done, but they are
people and their lives
have as much value
as mine or anyone
else’s.
Lisa, Quirks and Chaos

youare doing the best
you can

s a parent of a child
with special needs,
I know what it’s like
to never feel like you are
doing enough for him.
Are you getting your kid
enough therapy? Doing
enough of the exercises
the therapists recom-
mend? Trying as many dif-
ferent things as is humanly
A
Ellen, Love That Max
possible? The answer
is: You’re doing the best
you can. You have to be
content with that, or you
can walk around feeling
worried and guilty—which
does neither you nor your
child any good. You are the
best mother you can be.
Take satisfaction in that.

‘m not gonna lie to you. When
the word AUTISM enters your
world, it doesn’t get easier.
But I’ll let you in on a little secret.
You will suddenly find yourself im-
mersed (and a little overwhelmed) in
a new world created by a community
of caring people who will accept and
appreciate the autism that is a part
of you and your child’s life.
So no, I’m not gonna lie to you.
When the word AUTISM enters your
world, it doesn’t get easier.
It gets better.
Welcome.
I
Mommy Catharsis, Contemplative Chaos

blossoming into
the most beautiful
and unsual flowers

nyone who owns an orchid
plant will know that they have
a reputation for being diffi-
cult to grow. And yet if you get the
right advice and you know what to
do with them, they blossom into the
most beautiful and unusual flowers.
It is exactly the same for kids with
autism. If you understand how to
nurture them, they can blossom too,
but they need a special type of envi-
ronment and understanding.
A
Debby, AuKids Magazine

y son, a skinny bundle of wonder and quirks, a
ferocious climber of uphill battles, this light up a
room kid of mine, has made me stronger and grateful
and better.
While he reaches his potential, I reach mine.
M
Rebecca, Sincerely Becca

findyour
people

f I could go back to diagnosis day,
I’d tell myself, “Do exactly what
you are feeling the NEED to do.
Find your people.” No matter the
diagnosis one receives, no one un-
derstands like the people who are
walking the same path. Even the
same path has different pebbles and
stones for each walker, but nothing
replaces knowing the person you are
talking to, even via private message
on Facebook, “gets it.” Nothing.
Go. Find your people.
I
Kristi, Autism in Our House

am in awe of my daugh-
ter. Yes she has Autism,
but it is only a part of
who she is, not the whole.
There are times when I
have a hard time holding
back the tears when I look
at her. She is tenacious,
sweet, confident, happy,
adventurous, and funny.
This beautiful miracle child
of mine has taught me
more about seeing the
I
Darcel, The Mahogany Way
glass as half full and
meeting someone where
they are better than any
book or expert ever could.
I love having a front row
seat into how she views
the world.
Mothering a child with
Autism has its challenges
but more than anything,
it’s been a gift. There are
not enough words to
describe how blessed I
am to be her mother.

to love
more than i
ever believed
possible

utism has drawn us to people. It has drawn people to us. It has
helped us build communities that love and support us. Autism
has strengthened some friendships, ended others that had run
their course, and helped create new ones.
Autism has made me into a student, a teacher and an advocate.
Autism brought me to my knees, but helped me rebuild—stronger,
focused and more creative.
Autism has taught me to be patient, to appreciate the little, wonder-
ful things in life, and it has made me let go of some things that just
weren’t so important after all.
Autism is part of the wonderful, intriguing, curious, beautiful little
girl that is my daughter, and she has taught me to love more than I
ever believed possible.
A
Liz, Cat on a Trampoline

utism is often depicted as a life
sentence for the individual re-
ceiving the diagnosis and their
family. It is not; rather, it is change.
Some life plans may no longer be
on the agenda but the new path is
just as enriching. There will be tough
times but all that means is that you
will never take those moments of
joy and love for granted. Never stop
hoping and dreaming for the best.
A
Brooke, Autism Seriously?

hen I look
back at my
life it can be
broken down into
distinct parts. Life
before and after
autism. I’ve spent
the last twenty years
learning to appre-
ciate the subtleties
of autism. This is
because of my son,
Kevin. Most of my
W
Debra, The Art of Autism
dearest friends are
either autistic or
parents of autistic
children. They’ve
allowed my palette
to be filled with both
vibrant and nuanced
shades. I’ve come to
appreciate the au-
tistic perspective. It
is untainted by the
superficial. It is wise
and true. It informs
me each day. All
we need to do as
parents is stop and
listen. The one thing I
would like parents of
newly diagnosed chil-
dren to know is your
child and you are
partners. When you
work together doors
will open. Have faith
in your child. Listen.

utism is a journey, not a destination. Do not
become so fixed on the outcome that you miss
the sweet day-to-day moments with your child.
A
Shelly, Maddox’s Autism Chronicles

utism has made me stronger,
courageous and has helped me
find my voice; so I can be the
voice of my children until they have
their own. Helping others is one of
my passions, and because of my
experiences with autism, I am able to
help and encourage others who are
on or raising someone on the autism
spectrum.
A
Jenna, My Crazy Little People

When Casey was
young each new
accomplishment,
no matter how small and
insignificant, was cause for
great celebration because
Autism had made that
accomplishment a difficult
W
Billie, Conversations with Casey
task. Autism taught me
to find joy in those little
insignificant things. I mea-
sure my life not by days,
months or years but by the
millions of joyful moments
Autism has given me over
the past 28 years.

utism did not just creep into
our home. It violently charged
in and rocked our home to the
foundation. We united best we could
and passionately pursued an inten-
sive intervention.
Now that my son is 13 a parade
of teachers, therapists, specialists,
behaviorists, advocates and actual
horses have come and gone in our
lives. We are deeply thankful to all
they have done for our sweet boy.
But, mostly I am thankful for my son.
I know he has taught me more of my
life lessons than anyone else.
A
Erin, If I Need Help

follow a child’s interest and you will
find the road that opens their heart
shelah, Mosswood Connections

from our hearts to
yours. May you find
inspiration, joy and
autimism
You are not alone.
geekclubbooks.com

Autimisms: Hope and Inspiration

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Autimisms: Hope and Inspiration