Reviewing ‘Things I Should Have Known’ by Claire LaZebenik
I can definitely see how people who don’t know many autistic people (and you should, because we’re awesome!) would benefit from reading LaZebnik’s book.
parenting
How Extreme Diets Damage Autistic People
Food is an important part of life. Instead of using food as a “positive reinforcer,” or diets as part of a cure attempt, parents can use food and conversations about food to connect with their autistic children.
Hey Parents of Autistic Kids: Here Are Five Big, Avoidable Mistakes
I am all about helping parents learn from my mistakes, so they don’t repeat my mistakes. Here are five bonks I made during the early years of parenting my autistic son, and how you can avoid repeating my fails.
Eleven Ways You Can Make Your Autistic Child’s Life Easier
This is a mini-guide for parents to think about autistic matters and perspectives they may not know about, and which may help them and their kids live the Best Lives Possible.
Parents: Don’t Hide Your Children’s Autism Diagnosis From Them
Since I didn’t know I was autistic, I just assumed there was something wrong with me and that I deserved what I got. I learned that intrinsically, I was less than a person, since I didn’t have a framework to tell me otherwise.
Do Me a Favor
I regret that I didn’t give my non-speaking son the opportunities to display an interest in things that I assumed he wouldn’t understand. I regret that my assumptions limited him when they should have been expanding his world.
I’ve Just Seen A Face
Autism acceptance, for the author, means recognizing that her autistic daughter “already is happy; she has a good life. So do a lot of people who go with their humanity unrecognized and unacknowledged.”
Autism and the Quest for Knowledge
I love that the expectation is that he has an opinion, wants to learn, and we just haven’t figured out all the best ways to help him communicate. It is comforting to know that they meet him where he is, but demand much of him.
How Telling Your Autistic Kid Santa Isn’t Real May Not Go As Planned
I recommend having a Santa Claus talk with any autistic kid over ten who hasn’t figured it out yet. It’s better to get the whole thing over with.
Autistic Lives: Not Less Valuable
Our society needs to more honest about parenting realities, needs to better prepare parents-to-be how to accept, support, and respect children with autism and other disabilities.