Parent's Voice on Autism | PARENTGUIDE News

Wish List

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500

You know Christmas is over when your autistic son is already typing up notes:

Valentine’s Day 5 presents
St. Patrick's Day 7 presents
Easter 4 presents
June is the big one – Build a post office!

Every other holiday aside from Christmas, I give VHS tapes as presents. They cost more to ship from Amazon than to purchase. But, seriously, a post office? For Crew's birthday last year, he wanted a library. We all thought that was so cute. He sa Continue reading »

My First

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500

It should be that my firstborn is all I have been able to think about ever since my ex-husband told me he wants to take our 12 year old to Disney World in January. I haven't taken my sons there because I can't even drive by a sign that says airport without my 11-year-old son saying, "NO AIRPORT!"

My second born, Crew, is autistic. It doesn’t seem likely that he’ll agree to go on a plane anytime soon. I know my ex is planning this trip for all the right reasons. B Continue reading »

Crew's Voice

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:00:00 -0400

As most of you know, my name is Christy Reinhardt. I have two beautiful boys. Cross is 12 and Crew is 11. Crew is autistic. I have spent my life thus far trying to advocate, protect and raise my children so that they may both thrive and be happy. Sounds easy, right? What you may not know is that the truth is the answer to that is both yes and no.

The idea itself is simple— all children deserve the chance and or the opportunity to partake in life and all is has to offer. They des Continue reading »

Vaccinations

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 12:00:00 -0400

Can you believe pediatric doctors are turning away children who are not vaccinated? I guess they do not know what it is like to have your child stolen in the middle of the night two weeks after a big vaccination day. When all the words you have taught your child in 18 months are now gone! Imagine, your child's hair texture has changed and a bomb could go off and your child would not hear it.

When you take your child to the doctor to figure out what has happened and the practitioner sa Continue reading »

Speaking from Experience

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:00 -0400

I have spent eight long years trying to understand autism; my diagnosed son Crew is 11. I don't know if I will ever figure it out, but this is what I know is true. For all the people saying that they cured their child of autism... STOP! It is unfair to hear such nonsense. It is like an alcoholic saying he is cured. Addicted people like those with autism will always have it in them. It is about self-regulating.

As parents of disabled children, we need to start throwing caution to the w Continue reading »

What’s Your State of Mind?

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 12:00:00 -0400

Summer is a state of mind.
A warm outlook.
A sunny disposition.
Your biggest concern is whether to swim or paddle out.

For a parent with a special needs child,
Summer is a state of mind.
A patient outlook.
A (fake) sunny disposition.
Your biggest concern is your schedule, whether your child will regress.
This is the reality

We all look forward to summer. The end of the long school year when my child every mo Continue reading »

Thank You Journal

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:00:00 -0400

When special needs knock on your child's door, what does it mean?

It means as parents, we have to work a little harder.
It means as parents, we no longer can just be teacher assistants, we must become proficient teachers.
It means we no longer take everyday things for granted.
When a child says, "I love you" it's an indication of using language.
When a child gives you big hugs, it's physical contact.
When a child plays a board game a Continue reading »

Am I autistic?

Sun, 01 May 2011 12:00:00 -0400

I am embarrassed to say that I do not remember my last dentist appointment. I know it was right before I had kids. My children are now ages 10 and 11! My 11 year old loves the dentist and goes faithfully. My younger one Crew, who is autistic, is a whole other story. He is afraid, distrusting and hates every part of going to the dentist. Crew is too smart for the bribing and promises. There isn't a video or game in the world that is worth going to the dentist for. After all the sweating a Continue reading »

Free Therapy?

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:00:00 -0400

Have you ever considered the definition of therapy? Ever wondered if there's such a thing as free therapy?

Therapy:

Treatment of illness or disability
Healing power or quality
The act of caring for someone

Now that we know the full definition, how many of us have tried it all? Many of us have paid an incredible amount of money in hopes of finding a cure. This past year, my family spent more than $9,500 in therapy, despite h Continue reading »

Are You Kidding Me?

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:00:00 -0500

Blockbuster cannot close. Seriously, does the home movie retailer understand what it's doing to our family? Our whole life centers around when Crew gets to go to Blockbuster and the number of movies he may get. Every challenge we have with Crew is resolved with a Blockbuster bribe.

Since Crew was little, he always had a movie fetish. We must own at least 200 DVDs and double that in VHS tapes. Crew writes on the calendar every week when he's permitted to go to Blockbuster. And every gi Continue reading »