An Open Letter to Those Who, like me, Are Struggling With The Loss of Avonte Oquendo

photo courtesy of Wayne Pollard Photography

From the moment I heard the news that Avonte Oquendo, a young boy with autism from New York, had gone missing from his school, I have been fearing this day. Fearing the day when every mother's nightmare would become reality for Vanessa Fontaine. 

The Autism Household

photo courtesy of Photography By Wayne Pollard waynepollard.blogspot.ca

I was recently asked why I created and so frequently use the term ''Autism Household'' to describe my family.

I thought it was time to talk about just what an ''Autism Household'' is. 

And is NOT.

10 Autism Household survival tips for Planning a Wedding (or other large event)

My Kingdom For a Nap

To Sleep Perhaps To Dream  Photo Courtesy of Chris McKim

One of the things they don't tell you when you get the A-Word diagnosis is that you will most likely NEVER get a decent night's sleep. Sleep disorders, and simply the LACK of a need for more than an hour or two sleep per night is almost universal amongst people with autism. Which means those in an Autism household ALSO suffer from a lack of sleep. Your most intimate fantasies will from now on in centre around SOMEHOW getting 40 winks

Shingle All The Way

Its been a frigid winter in Toronto. We had a terrible Ice Storm that left many people without power for a week or more. As I write this its -33*C outside. As my Dad used to say, ''Cold as a witch's _____'' (I'll let you fill in the blank!). We've been holed up inside for quite sometime. Not easy for anyone, but throw Autism into the mix, and well, things heat up. And not they way you'd like!