tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75825597232269137882026-04-18T00:36:57.256-07:00Musings from a caffeine-fueled, slightly crunchy, Type-A mom of 2 boys with autism, sensory issues, and multiple food allergies.Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-18938266952613621902014-03-28T07:00:00.000-07:002014-03-28T07:00:00.680-07:00

If you are an autism parent, I'm sure you saw the massive social media frenzy with yesterday's announcement from the CDC. Their new rates of autism are 1 in 68. Image Source Well, sort of. The numbers were accurate 4 years ago. If you were 8 years old. And, if you lived in 1 of 11 test site areas. The rest of us out there were not included in those numbers. Like my boys (who were too

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-38740126522381410042013-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-20T06:00:10.647-08:00

After a stressful week, I was bracing myself for what I thought would inevitably be a bad day. I've been spending some late nights stressing over the details of my nonprofit, knowing that I can only do so much as one person, while always wishing that I could do more. I am forever dreaming of how my life would be easier if I could only clone myself, just to help alleviate some of the heavy burdens

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-67294883735391189392013-12-15T21:38:00.000-08:002013-12-20T03:05:40.138-08:00

So, it's been a while since I've been around these parts. I have missed you! Hopefully you have missed me, too. This year has been, well...a YEAR. Let's just leave it at that for now. Titan and I were in a festive mood this weekend since the boys managed to make it through an entire day without attempting to kill each other. We called it a win. So, we decided to go celebrate the spirit of the

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-3160605798494380332013-09-30T06:30:00.000-07:002013-09-30T06:30:03.204-07:00

School started a few weeks ago and we are in the middle of the transitional time where the boys are getting used to their new schedule and they’re becoming acclimated to their new teachers and classrooms. It is always a challenge, but school is always such a welcome experience following the less-scheduled summertime. Over the past couple of months I have noticed that the boys were starting

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-65885164829226146902013-09-13T12:10:00.000-07:002013-09-13T12:10:53.397-07:00

Image Source Never in my life did I expect to welcome a homeless man into my home to temporarily live with my family, but here we are. For purposes of this blog, I’m going to call this man Jester because he’s a bit of a goofball. In the short time Jester has been with us, he has taught me a lot. First let me make a clarification, because I know you are wondering why we would make this

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-31440331985107690322013-07-29T07:30:00.000-07:002013-07-29T09:48:19.239-07:00

Last night we went on a family walk as the sun was setting. Near our house there is an area that was under development and was quickly abandoned as the housing market fell apart in recent years. There are sidewalks and trees, and it is set back from the main road. It makes for a serene, enclosed space that lends itself well to family time. We have had some excellent walks there on the long

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-33254154313373341732013-07-08T13:04:00.000-07:002013-07-08T13:06:05.919-07:00

After the school year ended we took a much-needed mini vacation, which ended up being a small family reunion. My mom had just been recently released from the hospital. My brother flew out from Colorado and my dad rented a beach house on the Oregon Coast for all of us. It was a nice time to gather together and just be a family for a few days. Part of the trip we were dodging rain drops, and

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-64165859181639394592013-06-28T06:00:00.000-07:002013-06-28T12:20:49.096-07:00

Image Source Can I just say how much I LOVE my Facebook fans? I do. You rock. I want to say thank you. For liking me. Somehow you guys found my Facebook page, read my blog, and yet still stick around to hang out.  Image Source And since you are all cool like that, it's time to celebrate a momentous occasion. The Caffeinated Autism Mom Facebook page finally reached 2,000 Likes, and&

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-36219878435570122182013-06-15T13:24:00.000-07:002013-06-15T13:24:16.417-07:00

This story starts with a keychain. A spinal column keychain.  Image Source About 6 years ago I was just beginning my journey of understanding autism. I was trying desperately to connect with support groups in order to get some help with my boys. There were only a few groups in my area at the time, and they all seemed to be falling apart to some degree or another. I managed to find a

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-71702686000350798002013-04-16T08:52:00.000-07:002013-04-16T08:52:18.669-07:00

In my last post I told you that our family is dealing with a tremendous amount of stress right now. Since then my mom has been in and out of the hospital...and is currently back in. When it rains it pours. In our case, it feels like a hurricane. I feel like a raw nerve at this point. However, something happened this morning that gave me a moment of humorous relief, and I thought I would

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-34972912653833029912013-04-04T06:30:00.000-07:002013-04-04T06:30:03.165-07:00

I try hard to be real with you. I try to be authentic. I’m not about giving you only the best version of myself and my kids. If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you probably know that I keep things fairly eclectic. I go from serious topics to recipes to humor to a myriad of other things, and I try to keep things light whenever possible. Humor is one of the best coping

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-25361424429534672932013-04-01T07:00:00.000-07:002013-04-01T07:00:03.517-07:00

I'm having a nausea-inducing sense of deja vu right now, and I wonder if I'm somehow getting punked on April Fool's Day (a.k.a. the first day of Autism Awareness Month). Beware, because a rant is a' comin'... Scheduled today in my state's capitol of Olympia, Washington, is a Senate Health Care Committee hearing to discuss an abortion mandate, known as the "Reproductive

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-8231749751513900822013-03-18T20:45:00.000-07:002013-03-18T20:45:23.224-07:00

This topic has been coming up a lot lately for me. It’s relevant in schools, in families, in circles of friends, and just in living life with a child that has special needs in a world that doesn’t always understand or tolerate them. It’s the argument between how to keep our kids in a safe and appropriate environment, and how to balance that with living in the real world. Those of you that

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-68521589366445410942013-03-06T06:00:00.000-08:002013-03-06T06:00:07.074-08:00

  Children with special needs should never be made to feel “less.” They may be different, but they are not less. (Thank you, Temple Grandin!) I am fortunate that I have never heard the R-word uttered in my presence as it relates to any child. Yet, I know it is happening. All over the place. Children and adults that have challenges, along with their families, are being made to

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-48858511787908635542013-02-28T21:12:00.000-08:002013-02-28T21:12:18.286-08:00

Image Source It seems weird to think that autism awareness could be bad. But, I believe in certain situations it can be. There have been some newsworthy events happening in my community surrounding an autism charity. This organization had a platform of “autism awareness” and had a lot of success at spreading awareness by selling autism-themed trinkets in front of grocery stores. Being

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-46557801015306079892013-02-04T06:00:00.000-08:002013-02-04T06:00:08.441-08:00

You may remember me talking about my stint with the Hell’s Angels, back before Titan and I had kids. And by stint, I mean I saw them at a club in San Francisco. And, being the conservative suburbanite that I am, I stood out like a cardigan wearing, grandma purse toting sore thumb. Well, I have some friends who are bikers.   Does that somehow increase my coolness by proxy? You know, I do

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-21427143661507307762013-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:002013-01-12T07:00:05.796-08:00

I'm not a big sports person. We don't have regular TV, so we can't watch any games, even if we wanted to. I know for some of you that is almost sacrilegious. I think I'm one of the few wives that is not a widow on Super Bowl Sunday. I count myself very lucky that it's just another day for our family. Imagine my surprise when yesterday afternoon Prince Charming bounds off the bus with

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-75755976359324810072013-01-11T09:46:00.000-08:002013-01-11T09:46:43.767-08:00

It happens to everyone who has a kid that rides the bus. At some point, the bus will be late. It's just one of those things. Monkey can be a worry wart. He becomes very concerned when the bus is late and I try to reassure him that it's okay and he won't get in trouble at school. When the bus finally does show up, he will make comments to the driver just to make sure that they know they're

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-67107778947826659692013-01-03T08:11:00.000-08:002013-01-03T15:35:07.294-08:00

If you are an autism parent, you know that sometimes it's hard to tell what emotions are going on in your child's head. Often times you don't get the emotional reciprocation you hope and long for. Every mother I've ever known has needed hugs and affection far more than their children want to give it, and I am no exception. Autism can make that even more complicated. When Monkey was born, he

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-10417117771620190892012-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:002012-12-23T06:00:00.505-08:00

We just got home from a short vacation to Oregon. On the first day, we visited with family in Eugene and then crossed over the mountains that night heading to our destination at the Eagle Crest Resort, just north of Bend. We spent the rest of our vacation gallavanting around central Oregon, visiting Redmond, Sunriver, Sisters, and Bend. We came home by way of the Dalles and the

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-85822596043003197662012-12-04T05:00:00.000-08:002012-12-04T07:58:07.177-08:00

I found the coolest mug on Amazon last week.   I bought it on impulse. I couldn't resist. I thought it was cute with the thermal ink changing color when there is coffee (or other hot beverage) in your cup.   Click here to buy on Amazon.com. Guess what? I bought two mugs - one for me and one for you, my dear readers! It's my birthday and you get to share

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-668118458933731272012-11-30T00:04:00.000-08:002012-11-30T11:54:18.153-08:00

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Well, today I’m trying to help you out a little bit with that. I have a book that is perfect to give to your extended family members who maybe need a little insight about special needs. Or, you can keep it as a nice gift for yourself as a reminder that you are not alone. I was contacted by DRT Press about the new book, Easy

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-87279363115412825142012-11-21T06:30:00.000-08:002012-11-21T06:30:01.431-08:00

[Image Source] The holidays are creeping up so fast this year! Am I the only one that is completely blindsided by Thanksgiving? I feel so unprepared! Normally I like to plan out Christmas gifts far in advance and have the majority of my shopping done before the first of November. I begin my bargain shopping at the New Year’s clearance sales. From then on, I get things in drips and drabs

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-91141454738761514172012-11-14T15:05:00.000-08:002012-11-14T15:05:27.197-08:00

Lately, every time I sit down to watch the NBC show, Parenthood, I am in tears by the end of the episode. And, it’s not just a girly hormonal thing. Generally speaking, I enjoy the show because they incorporate a lot of relevant topics, weaving them throughout their episodes. Things like: adoption, military/PTSD, Asperger Syndrome, and the larger concept of family. Their recent story

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582559723226913788.post-46590673938974531132012-11-07T14:47:00.000-08:002012-11-07T14:47:02.002-08:00

Apparently I was written in as a candidate for Governor on a ballot! Talk about shock. Wanna know who thought I was more qualified than the other candidates? My dad. I guess I should take it as a compliment, although I thought it was a waste of a perfectly good vote. Image Source I will admit that I got a tiny bit of satisfaction thinking that some person in the Auditor's

Caffeinated Autism Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730980393643990009noreply@blogger.com