Ed From Ohio Says...

Spring has arrived and I hope I'm able to sit and write a bit in this beautiful weather. Too sweet out there to coop up inside. Took my Scottish Wife to work, waiting for my son to arrive for the day. I'm looking after him during half of his spring break. A shame we could not go to Daytona, or Cancun. I'd make a decent wing man for him.

My friend Sue's new book arrived in the mail yesterday.



The Autism Mom's Survival Guide is a necessary book for parents who are struggling to cope with how to function at anything resembling normal where there is an autistic child in the house.

Upbeat and honest, but never condescending or perky. The book manages to be very supportive but keeps an arms length from the dark places autism can take a family. It does offer real, balanced advice from someone who has been and will always be there. She and her husband have three children, one of whom is autistic. Susan is a great guide to have as she leads you through some effective methods of handling the day to day activities with a special needs child.

This is Susan's second book on autism. This is not a sequel though. Her first, Making Peace with Autism, is also worth seeking out.

I found the book to be geared mainly toward autism moms, (although there is plenty for fathers to get from this) who are the true heroes in the struggle to understand this condition.

If you have a child with autism in your life, you may find yourself nodding your head with many of the stories Susan and the parents she writes about have experienced. If you're new, you will find out very quickly what it is like to be a part of an autistic child's family.

Full disclosure: I'm one of the autism parents that were interviewed for this book.

To conclude this morning.

2/30 He Poops?

Like his Dad, he reads on the same throne
The material is not the same, nor is his purpose of the visit
It's social hour! Time to see how creatively hands can touch the floor
How to sit as back or forward as he can without drawing the wrath of parents
A test of the room's acoustics is part of the agenda
The purpose, is avoided, until fifteen minutes after the visit has ended
Occasionally, the mission will be a success
Yet praise and promises of extra computer time are not remembered
Each visit a blank slate resulting in a usually empty receptacle
The whoops and yells he makes are repeated back by his father
The volume and sounds become more and more ridiculous until
He looks his father directly in the eye
With a smile on his face he says,
"You're silly!"
Unprompted and natural
Before bending over the side of the seat
The one closest to the wall