tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46776053191980347732024-03-13T21:22:16.322-07:00What Autistic Looks LikeAutistic is not an insult. Autistic is beautiful.Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-8585448271918720832012-07-11T17:40:00.002-07:002012-07-11T17:40:36.701-07:0050 Cent and a Crafty Saturday : Raising KentuckyReposted with permission from the author. Original post at <a href="http://www.raisingkentucky.blogspot.com/2012/07/50-cent-and-crafty-saturday.html">http://www.raisingkentucky.blogspot.com/2012/07/50-cent-and-crafty-saturday.html</a>.<br />
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50 Cent and a Crafty Saturday by Leanna at <a href="http://www.raisingkentucky.blogspot.com/">Raising Kentucky</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Last week, 50 Cent posted some pretty ignorant and inflammatory tweets. If you haven’t heard the story, some guy was giving 50 grief on twitter and 50 responded, “i just saw your picture fool you look autistic.” Then he went to further say that he didn’t want any “special ed kids” on his timeline. As you can imagine this has started quite the firestorm in the autism community. Holly Robinson-Pete very eloquently responded to 50’s tweets on her HollyRod Foundation website <a href="http://www.hollyrod.org/huddle/dear-50-cent-3/" style="color: #ba8e3e; text-decoration: none;">{here}</a>. </span></h3>
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All this made me wonder what 50 Cent (and society as a whole) thinks autism looks like and I’m not the only one. Some other mothers created a flash blog <a href="http://www.whatautisticlookslike.blogspot.com/" style="color: #ba8e3e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">{here}</a> to answer this question.</div>
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This is what autism looks like in our house:</div>
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Saturday morning bed head</div>
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Playing on the monkey bars</div>
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Loving the doggy</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JA36y38yTno/T_nN7_2NasI/AAAAAAAAACA/XZVl9x-7J9M/s1600/IMG_8707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ba8e3e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JA36y38yTno/T_nN7_2NasI/AAAAAAAAACA/XZVl9x-7J9M/s320/IMG_8707.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sharing with Daddy</div>
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Being silly with Mommy</div>
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Playing with cousins</div>
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At our house autism <i>looks</i> pretty darn cute. Now don't get me wrong there is a far less cute side that involves 2 hour tantrums, a never ending battle to just try and understand my child's needs, juggling a full-time job outside the home with doctor's appointments, therapy sessions, and all the normal mommy stuff. But all-in-all Lennon is a remarkable kiddo with many more abilities than disabilities. Not that I was planning on it any way, but I won't be buying any 50 Cent on iTunes. Ever.</div>
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I took out all my 50 Cent frustration on a craft project yesterday afternoon.</div>
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I have this lamp that I love, but its kind of an awkward height. Its really too tall to be a table lamp, but too short to be a floor lamp.</div>
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It has sat awkwardly in the corner of my great room by the dining table for almost 2 years and I finally found a solution. I found a black pressed board corner desk at a garage sale yesterday morning for $5. I bought 2 cans of slate gray spray paint to paint the body and top of the desk.</div>
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I took the cardboard back off and cut fabric to cover it.</div>
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I had planned to staple the fabric on, but when I couldn’t find the stapler, I subbed my trusty hot glue gun.</div>
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Ta-da!</div>
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Give me a 2 hour afternoon naptime, 2 cans of spray paint, some scrap fabric, and a hot glue gun and I can turn my frown upside down ☺ . Oh yeah, and 50 Cent is an ignorant jerk.</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leanna</i></span></div>
</div>Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-59137930824291250612012-07-11T12:55:00.001-07:002012-07-11T12:56:25.268-07:00In Response to ... What Autistic Looks Like<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ah... If you don't know... why should we
tell???? </span><br />
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This post published first on <a href="http://laughtercouldbethemissingpiece.blogspot.com/#!/" target="_blank">Laughter, Could be the Missing Piece!</a> and is reposted here with permission. <a href="http://laughtercouldbethemissingpiece.blogspot.com/" target="_self"></a><br />
<a href="http://laughtercouldbethemissingpiece.blogspot.com/" target="_self"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-66808778868091316432012-07-10T19:27:00.003-07:002012-07-10T19:27:57.909-07:00What Autism Looks Like : The Snowball EffectReposted with permission by the author. Original post at <a href="http://www.thesnowballeffectblog.com/2012/07/what-autism-looks-like.html">http://www.thesnowballeffectblog.com/2012/07/what-autism-looks-like.html</a>.<br />
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What Autism Looks Like by <a href="http://www.thesnowballeffectblog.com/">The Snowball Effect</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">n response to derogatory comments rapper 50Cent has made about someone "looking autistic",</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://whatautisticlookslike.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;">this flashblog</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">has been set up by bloggers who have children on the autism spectrum. We don't want Autism to become the new "R-word". Autism isn't offensive or wrong, it is just a different way of being. Autism doesn't have a "look". The aim of the flashblog is to show Autism looks like ANYONE you meet.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In our family, this is what Autism looks like:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
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I'd love for 50Cent to point out which part of my son LOOKS like Autism, because frankly, it is not something you can SEE by looking at him.</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><img alt="Blog-sig" height="150" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6313777537_5937d03854.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;" width="300" /></span>Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-50285858027494803592012-07-10T04:57:00.003-07:002012-07-10T04:57:57.066-07:00"What ARE You Doing" Autism Awareness Film : MadmotherReposted with permission from the author. Original post at <a href="http://meanderingmadmother.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/what-are-you-doing-autism-awareness.html">http://meanderingmadmother.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/what-are-you-doing-autism-awareness.html</a>.<br />
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"What ARE You Doing" Autism Awareness Film by <a href="http://meanderingmadmother.blogspot.com.au/">Madmother</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is an e-mail I received today:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Autism Awareness Australia is proud to announce a special premiere screening of our short documentary film, “What are you doing?”, at Parliament House in Canberra on <strong><em>Tuesday 28th February 2012</em></strong>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The evening will be hosted by television personality and narrator of the film Tom Gleisner, and is sponsored by the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator the Hon. Jan McLucas.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><span style="color: purple; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We have invited all of Australia’s sitting MP’s and Senators to the screening in the Parliament House Theatrette - this is where we need your help!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">All of Australia’s Federal Politicians will be in Canberra that evening and we want to encourage as many of them to attend as possible. We are asking the autism community, families and supporters across the nation to contact their own local member and urge them to come along to this important and educational film.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">So it is time to ‘get your members out!’ for an opportunity to educate them more about autism and how if affects families across Australia.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Here's how you can help!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Contact your local member and Senator. You can find their contact details below</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/mi-elctr.asp" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Find your local member</a></em></strong></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/homepages/index.asp?sort=state" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Find your Senator</a></em></strong></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Send them an email, call, fax or write a letter requesting they attend our special premiere. Share your personal experiences with them and urge them to take the time to learn more about ASD and the impact it has on our nation.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Let us know the action you've taken and the response you receive!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Help Autism Awareness Australia and ‘get your members out!’ to our special film premiere at Parliament House, Canberra. Check out our <strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AutismAwarenessAustralia" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></strong> page for the latest updates and RSVP's! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Thanks for your support! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The Team at <strong><a href="http://www.autismawareness.com.au/" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Autism Awareness Australia</a></strong> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><strong><em>Please, take, share, contact YOUR politicians.</em></strong> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Here is my plea to the representatives of our electorate... <em>(And yes, I have linked to<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">you</span></strong>, I just hope you take the time to read a little).</em></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have a son. A glorious, tall, handsome, strapping son. A son about to turn fourteen. My oldest son (the first of two). If you met him you would be impressed by his warmth, knowledge, friendliness and his quirky intelligence. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you met him it would not take long to realise he is a little different. My son has Autism Spectrum Disorder, in his case, Asperger Syndrome <strong>(AS)</strong>. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">If you are interested, <strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://theinnerechoes.blogspot.com/2009/11/life-with-autism.html" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">THIS</a> </span></strong>will tell you more, though it is a little long. It was written in the dark depths, when things were so hard, and the future uncertain.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PL8XDNaJfXI/TxaD2xJwcoI/AAAAAAAACwo/WN87eUjmNd0/s1600/Boy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="311px" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PL8XDNaJfXI/TxaD2xJwcoI/AAAAAAAACwo/WN87eUjmNd0/s320/Boy+1.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;">Boy 1 2003</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">The young man of today is very different to the child of yesterday, he reads Deepak Chopra, dreams of being a motivational speaker, mentors younger children on the spectrum. He has written a children's book for those with Asperger Syndrome because (in his words in a letter to a publisher):</span></div>
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<em>I want the reader to feel how I feel about Asperger Syndrome, that it is just a new kind of normal and people with it are just as important as everyone else. Difference is a good thing in my perspective.</em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6qZv-3ofhE/TxaE_pya9JI/AAAAAAAACww/wTs6UwLkQE4/s1600/Lewis+Graduation+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640px" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6qZv-3ofhE/TxaE_pya9JI/AAAAAAAACww/wTs6UwLkQE4/s640/Lewis+Graduation+2011.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="194px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;">Boy 1 December 2011</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He likes himself, is confident in his own skin. But without help and intervention his story could... would have been so very different. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Please, if you possibly can, attend the screening of <strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: medium;"><em>"What are You Doing"</em></span></strong> at Parliament House on Tuesday 28th of Feb. It may give <strong><em>you</em></strong> an idea of the world that is ours. And with knowledge and support, then the possibilities are endless.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sincerely</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/360/7B9F250A503296503C8005B1EABAB7D0.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" /></a></span></span>Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-83122595900586636392012-07-09T10:39:00.002-07:002012-07-09T10:39:04.365-07:00What does autistic looks like? (Life's Little Puzzle)<div class="PostContent clearfix">
A couple days ago a well known rapper, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/50-cent-autism-tweet_n_1651256.html">50 Cent made a remark on his twitter page in a response to a tweet</a> saying, ”yeah just saw your picture fool you look autistic.” Naturally this caused a lot of emotion within the autism community and upset many fans.<br />
Holly Robinson Peete, an actress and respected autism advocate, immediately<a href="http://www.hollyrod.org/huddle/dear-50-cent-3/"> wrote a letter to 50 Cent</a> urging him to realize the damage in using the word “autistic” by possibly turning it into a negative insult.<span id="more-2238"></span><br />
<blockquote>
Holly writes, “I hope you can see how what you might see as a benign insult-or not- was so randomly hurtful, immature and misinformed. Maybe you are naive or indifferent as to how many of your fans might be deeply and personally offended by your insult. At the very least-can you please delete it? If you’ve read your mentions today I am sure you have felt the wrath of autism parents. We are no joke. Neither is autism. We are not about to let you attempt to make “<em>autistic</em>” the new “<em>R-word</em>” under our watch.”</blockquote>
So what does autistic look like?<br />
Honestly, I’m not sure what autistic looks likes. You will NEVER find the same child or an adult with autism that is alike. Autism affects everyone differently. With that said, the experiences I have with the girls autism puts everything into perspective.<em> (I know a lot of families have difference experiences and struggles.) </em><br />
Here is a glimpse to what autism looks like from all sides.<br />
<ul>
<li>Autistic looks like: a little girl wanting to be part of a group of friends but has a hard time with social ques.</li>
<li>Autistic looks like: wanting to communicate how you feel, if your hungry, or simply just to say “I’m tired.”</li>
<li>Autistic looks like: a world with scary noises, different offensive smells, weird looking objects, wanting to touch everything, not wanting to touch certain things and gets overwhelmed quickly.</li>
<li>Autistic looks like: the need to repeat everything just to feel calm and secure.</li>
<li>Autistic looks like: the potential meltdown of the century is around the corner for a simple issue, because your body just can’t process the issue to stay calm.</li>
<li>Autistic looks like: safety concerns are thrown out the window–wanting to run in the road, touching fire, jumping off a high playground equipment, running in front of swings while someone is swinging.</li>
</ul>
Then we have a different side of autism that we get to experience with the girls.<br />
<ul>
<li>Autism is unconditional love and affection.</li>
<li>Autism is a way to see the world with different views from all directions.</li>
<li>Autism is fascinating.</li>
<li>Autism is mysterious.</li>
<li>Autism is a funny perspective that you would never see.</li>
<li>Autism is out of the box thinking.</li>
</ul>
<h1>
So this is what autism looks like! Two beautiful little girls!</h1>
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<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_2242" style="width: 594px;">
<a href="http://www.lifeslittlepuzzle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/DSCN23151.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-2242" height="438" src="http://www.lifeslittlepuzzle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/DSCN23151-1024x768.jpg" title="Michaela" width="584" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text">
Michaela</div>
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<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_2243" style="width: 594px;">
<a href="http://www.lifeslittlepuzzle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/DSCN2558.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-2243" height="438" src="http://www.lifeslittlepuzzle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/DSCN2558-1024x768.jpg" title="Melanie" width="584" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text">
Melanie</div>
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This post was originally published on <a href="http://www.lifeslittlepuzzle.com/" target="_blank">Life's Little Puzzle</a> and is reposted here with permission. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-52653113579039542592012-07-09T00:50:00.002-07:002012-07-09T00:51:08.353-07:00What Autistic Looks Like by Suz at Autism: In Our Own WordsReproduced with permission from the author - <a href="http://autismourwords.com.au/what-autistic-looks-like-by-suz/" target="_blank">Suz at Autism: In Our Own Words</a>:<br />
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You may be aware of the furore that has come to be as a result of the utterly offensive recent tweets by rapper 50 cent. Or you may not be aware of them. If you don’t know about them, I am sorry to put this in your headspace but it needs to be done.</div>
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To his 6 million twitter followers, 50 cent tweeted “yeah I just saw your picture fool you look autistic” and this “I don’t want no special ed kids on my timeline follow someone else”. Charming isn’t it? Heartbreaking isn’t it?</div>
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In response, <a href="http://whatautisticlookslike.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #66a89f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">this</a> blog has started up. Parents are sharing what “autistic looks like” for them, in their lives, their homes, their kids. Go and check it out. We must not let “autistic” become a word of abuse, of hatred.</div>
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I love this site. I love what we are creating here. I love that we can help families living with autism, however it looks, to build connections, forge community and strengthen our voices.</div>
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So, today I am sharing a little more of me and my family with you.</div>
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This is the Batsman. He has autism. He is deeply loved and cherished.</div>
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This is what autistic looks like.</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Birth</strong></div>
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<a href="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/baby-birth.jpg" style="color: #66a89f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-380" height="266" src="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/baby-birth.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="baby birth" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Birth.jpg" style="color: #66a89f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-376" height="600" src="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Birth.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="Birth" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1<sup style="line-height: 0.786em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">st</sup> birthday</strong></div>
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<a href="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/1-year-old.jpg" style="color: #66a89f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-377" height="266" src="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/1-year-old.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="1 year old" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2<sup style="line-height: 0.786em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">nd</sup> birthday</strong></div>
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<a href="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2-years-old.jpg" style="color: #66a89f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-378" height="600" src="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2-years-old.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="2 years old" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3<sup style="line-height: 0.786em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">rd</sup> birthday</strong></div>
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<a href="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/3-years-old.jpg" style="color: #66a89f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-379" height="600" src="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/3-years-old.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="3 years old" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">4<sup style="line-height: 0.786em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup> birthday</strong></div>
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<a href="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/4th-birthday.jpg" style="color: #66a89f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-382" height="600" src="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/4th-birthday.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="4th birthday" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5<sup style="line-height: 0.786em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup> birthday</strong></div>
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<a href="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/5-years-old.jpg" style="color: #66a89f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-383" height="266" src="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/5-years-old.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="5 years old" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Today</strong></div>
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<a href="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Today.jpg" style="color: #66a89f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-381" height="600" src="http://autismourwords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Today.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="Today" width="400" /></a></div>
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Love you more than words could ever express my boy.</div>
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<br /></div>Maritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08186136444811595697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-72406438392266238052012-07-08T19:38:00.000-07:002012-07-08T19:38:12.098-07:00What Autistic Looks Like : Kelly JonesWhat Autistic Looks Like by Kelly Jones<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">This is how autism looks in my house.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">My daughter is 4 and she has autism and she is loved and adored by her brothers, her dad and me. She is a beautiful happy child and everyday is another achievement for Isabella.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">She may need a bit more help than typically developing kids, but she is still just a little girl who wants to do what all little kids want to do.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span>Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-4656544894213564942012-07-08T18:36:00.002-07:002012-07-08T18:36:55.734-07:00What Autism Looks Like : Figuring Out the RecipeReposted with permission by the author. Original post at <a href="http://figuringouttherecipe.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/what-autism-looks-like/">http://figuringouttherecipe.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/what-autism-looks-like/</a>.<br />
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What Autism Looks Like by <a href="http://figuringouttherecipe.wordpress.com/">Figuring Out the Recipe</a><br />
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Autism families across the nation are posting ‘What Autism Looks Like’ blogs in response to 50 Cents tweet calling someone autistic as a put down. Our community has responded and stood up for our kids. For their acceptance. For being loved for who they are. It made me proud to be an autism mommy.</div>
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So to us, this is what Autism Looks Like</div>
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<a href="http://forthebirdsphotography.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/3066_524958128254_4826919_n.jpg" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="Image" scale="0" src="http://forthebirdsphotography.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/3066_524958128254_4826919_n.jpg?w=487" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 10px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 10px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 10px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 10px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.5em;" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://forthebirdsphotography.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/post18.jpg" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="Image" scale="0" src="http://forthebirdsphotography.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/post18.jpg?w=487" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 10px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 10px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 10px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 10px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.5em;" /></a></div>
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To us, autism looks like a fighter. A child struggling to learn what everyone else picks up naturally. Speech is difficult, this world is difficult, but he pushes on. He tries. He doesn’t give up. He practices and listens and practices some more. He wants to be loved. He wants to please. He wants to have fun and be with friends.</div>
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Is being called autistic really all that bad? Don’t let my child become a word used to embarrass other people. Don’t let him become a put down. Because to us, he’s our first born, love of our lives, more dear to us then words can say. He is an inspiration not an embarrassment.</div>
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<a href="http://figuringouttherecipe.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/post6.jpg" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="Image" class="size-full wp-image" scale="0" src="http://figuringouttherecipe.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/post6.jpg?w=470" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 10px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 10px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 10px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 10px; border-width: initial; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0.5em; max-width: 100%;" /></a></div>
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You can view all the posts <a href="http://whatautisticlookslike.blogspot.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;">here </a>from other mommies like me.</div>Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-67057273328639923962012-07-08T18:18:00.002-07:002012-07-08T18:18:42.058-07:00Acceptance : Autism MavenReposted with permission by the author. Original post at <a href="http://www.autismmaven.com/?p=445&fb_source=message">http://www.autismmaven.com/?p=445&fb_source=message</a>.<br />
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Acceptance by <a href="http://www.autismmaven.com/">Autism Maven</a><br />
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Everyone knows that April is Autism Awareness Month. We post pictures, memes, links to articles, and blog posts, all in the hopes of increasing awareness. This year there has been a lot of disagreement and hurt feelings within the autism community. People with autism who want to be accepted as they are. Parents who talk about the pain and trials of having a child on the spectrum. Differing opinions–none more right or wrong than another. All valid in their own right.</div>
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The most encouraging thing I’ve heard this month is about a movement to change some of the language we use, from awareness to acceptance. A great next step, in my opinion, but much more difficult to achieve. It’s one thing for people to be aware that autism exists. It’s quite another for people to accept people with autism into their lives in a true, meaningful way.</div>
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Autism is not simple or easy to understand, let alone accept. If you have a child or sibling with autism, or teach children with autism, you are confronted with the meaning and breadth of autism every day. For soccer coaches, classmates, and that ever-present judgmental lady in the grocery store, autism is much more difficult to understand. Those of us ‘in the know’ share information and insight as much as we can.</div>
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I am one of the lucky ones. My family has been so incredibly accepting of my kids. My mom is an educator, and each time she runs across something that might be worth considering she sends it my way (Some of her ideas I actually have not seen before, which is somewhat impossible for me since I am the self-proclaimed queen of googling). My dad makes incredible efforts to connect with my kids on their level. They are endlessly patient and accepting. Sometimes I think they understand my kids better than I do. My sister and her family are so sweet to my kids. They can’t wait to visit with them and are endlessly amused (in a good way) with all the quirky things they say and do.</div>
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My aunt and uncle are kind and generous. It gives them no greater pleasure than to shop for our weird foods and to watch my kids swim in their pool 3 million times over a four-day period. Swimming pools are so great for kids on the spectrum, but I digress. My 88-year-old grandmother is a bleeding-heart who accepts EVERYONE for who they are. When we visit with her she is patient and waits for the right time to go in. She has meaningful relationships with both of my kids, because they know that she loves them for exactly who they are.</div>
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Around my family my kids can simply be who they are. There is no stress to do what is expected, because they are just expected to be who they are. They are truly accepted.</div>
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That is the upside to the increase in children diagnosed with autism. The more children who are diagnosed, the more likely it is to know a child or adult with autism. The more people who know someone with autism, the easier it will be for others in our communities to truly understand and accept them. That’s the goal anyway, I think.</div>
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So consider me as having jumped on the bandwagon of autism acceptance as the next step. My family is amazing, I know. To say we are lucky is an understatement. The only sane thing to do is to assume that other people will be just as amazing when given the opportunity.</div>Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-54769945948861871072012-07-08T18:13:00.001-07:002012-07-08T18:13:32.719-07:00This is What Autism Looks Like. : Kai's WorldReposted with permission from the author. Original post at <a href="http://kaisworld.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/this-is-what-autism-looks-like/">http://kaisworld.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/this-is-what-autism-looks-like/</a>.<br />
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This is What Autism Looks Like. by <a href="http://kaisworld.wordpress.com/">Kai's World</a><br />
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Days ago rapper, 50 cent, responded to a fan’s comments via Twitter. He said, said fan “looked Autistic”, to quit following him and that he didn’t want any special ed kids following him.<br />Shortly after that actress and spokesperson, Holly Robinson Peete, <a href="http://www.hollyrod.org/huddle/dear-50-cent-3/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3d4b4e; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">wrote a response</a> via her blog that pretty much called him out on his hateful words. Her response blew up within the autism community. Those affected by Autism were quick to offer their two sense on the issue at hand. I even posted some of my thoughts on Facebook and wanted to make a blog post about it and I’m finally getting around to it.<br />#thisiswhatautismlookslike became a trending topic on Twitter. I don’t know about you, but to me, Kai looks like every other neurotypical child. She has no defining facial features that scream Autistic. Most people wouldn’t even know she has Autism unless I said something.<br />This is Kai. She is five years old. She loves playing outside, swimming, Disney princesses, pretend play and most typical things of kids her age.</div>
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Kai also has Autism. Her Autism makes many things in her life difficult, but it does NOT make her look any different. Nor does it give others the right to make fun of her about it, especially someone as high profile as 50 cent.<br />My child is beautiful. She is happy and fun. She brings so much joy to my life and I will never let anyone bring her down. I will fight for her everyday of her life just like I would my other children.<br />Even though 50 cent will never see my blog, this is what Autism looks like. Autism looks like you and me and with 1 out of every 88 children being diagnosed, Autism affects more families now than ever before. Like most people I never thought I would be part of one of those families, but I am.<br />Autism doesn’t make my daughter less of a person nor does it make her less beautiful.</div>Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-36946145592696900282012-07-08T18:08:00.003-07:002012-07-08T18:08:42.548-07:00What Autistic Looks Like to Me : The Alternative SpectrumReposted with permission by the author. Original post at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-alternative-spectrum/what-autistic-looks-like-to-me/446689952030881">https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-alternative-spectrum/what-autistic-looks-like-to-me/446689952030881</a>.<br />
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What Autistic Looks Like to Me by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thealternativespectrum">The Alternative Spectrum</a><br />
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Autism is kindness without worry or social norms, going above and beyond to help and do good for others; often without consideration for ourselves. My friends with autism are some of the kindest, generous and supportive people I have ever known. </div>
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Autism is freedom. Freedom from social rules that confine and restrict. When my son dances in the supermarket or outside in the rain, why shouldn't he? Who is to decide what is right and wrong behaviour? He is not hurting anyone or himself so why not leave him to it? Don't trap him with your intolerance, ignorance and created rules (and believe me I know, I've studied social psychology!) Just because something is different doesn't make it defective or wrong.</div>
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Autism is determination. The ability to focus on a loved thing regardless of everything else. It's got a lot of people far... many rich, famous and successful people are on the autism spectrum somewhere. For example, Satoshi Tajiri created Pokemon. He has aspergers syndrome. The idea came from his love of the outdoor and collecting insects and became a worldwide phenomenon still loved by people everywhere 20 years later. Oh, and by the way is currently working as the SEO of Game Freak. </div>
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Autism is everywhere. You can't tell someone has autism by looking. Sometimes that's an advantage but sometimes it makes life even harder because our disability is missed. We look like any other person, can be any age, race, tall, short, fat or thin. Maybe you work with someone who has autism, or maybe their child, parent, partner or best friend does. Maybe one day, your child will!</div>
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Autism is a challenge. Everyday can be hard for someone with autism. It would be great if people with power, who are looked up to my millions could support, understand and raise awareness not make it harder and put us down. Simple everyday situations you take for granted, like going to the store or being able to drive a car can be so hard or even impossible. Can you even begin to imagine how that feels? How a mother feels when she has to abandon her groceries and race out of a shop carrying a wailing, failing child who simply cannot bear the noise of the supermarket any more? And believe me no helps, no one cares other than to mutter and judge.</div>
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You think your so tough and cool? like you can handle yourself and anyone or anything that comes along? Come and live in my house for a week. Come and see what autism really looks likes! I dare you too! Come and stop my two sons with autism killing each other while attending to my daughters needs... try and keep some form of orderly house, feed them - oh and my son cannot have milk, eggs, wheat, oranges, cucumbers, parsley, preservatives, cashews and a whole heap of other stuff so while your doing the food shop don't forget to read every single label on every single product you buy. No take aways, ready made meals and fast foods here; impossible to know what's in them and believe me you don't want to have to look after my son after he's hyper on milk! or change his nappies/clothes after he's occidentally had wheat! Yes, that's right he's five years old but he still isn't toilet trained. He'll need reminding to wear his glasses because he doesn't understand why he needs them, you'll need to say things over and over in every possible context they could occur and say exactly what you mean! No sarcasm, no idioms or vagueness. He can solve a rubix puzzle, could count to over 100, knew colours, shapes, letters etc before starting school at 4 and has an encyclopaedia like memory! I dare you to try. Come live in my world. See the reality of autism, the pain and frustration but also the love and purity; the greatness. If I could lend you my autism, dyslexia and poor memory I would so you could feel it to. But I'd never give it away, I wouldn't chose to change and lose so many great things, despite the struggles. We are all different, difference is not defective. Autism is not a defect, it in not an insult. Are you man enough, mature enough; brave enough to actually learn the truth?</div>
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<br />Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-11186128566284642642012-07-08T18:04:00.000-07:002012-07-08T18:04:09.032-07:00What Autism Looks Like : Dani McKnightWhat Autism Looks Like by Dani McKnight<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">My daughter Deliala has severe nonverbal autism. But she smiles when she is outside, is extremely ticklish, and always refuses to get out of the pool. She bounces and jumps all the times and wants to watch Caillou all day long. She might not be able to use words but does let everyone know her wishes with her big blue eyes. Autism is not everything my little girl is - it is just a part of her. She is still my curly topped blue eye angel.</span>Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-15748337263820292772012-07-08T13:44:00.003-07:002012-07-08T13:44:46.469-07:00What Autism Looks Like...Tylerisms for the Autistic Soul<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This year there
have been 3 (so far) very public "gaffs" about autistic/retarded people. Since
the "R" word is currently being phased out it has seemed like they are looking
for a new word to use in order to insult others or to be funny with. However,
from what I have seen, no one in the autism community is laughing. The pages are
banding together. We all want to educate the public on what autism looks like,
because sadly there seems to be some confusion on that front. So...this is what
autism looks like, to me.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnmo4hvaXiM/T_nGbkg2F5I/AAAAAAAAAKg/UyN0GUUnm4c/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+(Thursday+-+Friday)+279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_mqstl9="2" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnmo4hvaXiM/T_nGbkg2F5I/AAAAAAAAAKg/UyN0GUUnm4c/s320/Thanksgiving+2010+(Thursday+-+Friday)+279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Autism is: A person, just
like everyone else. See those people on that thermal imager? Only the one up
front has autism, yet they are all lit up the
same.</b></td></tr>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jl9vePYY_7E/T_nHM4zrVxI/AAAAAAAAAKo/hBEt5lrKanA/s1600/SeaWorldDolphin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_mqstl9="3" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jl9vePYY_7E/T_nHM4zrVxI/AAAAAAAAAKo/hBEt5lrKanA/s320/SeaWorldDolphin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Autism is: Something as
simple as a stuffed animal can make everything all
better.</b></td></tr>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oF3P-BiM0Bs/T_nHzu5ca4I/AAAAAAAAAKw/QlIJY0bYF_Q/s1600/PassedOutOnMommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_mqstl9="4" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oF3P-BiM0Bs/T_nHzu5ca4I/AAAAAAAAAKw/QlIJY0bYF_Q/s320/PassedOutOnMommy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Autism is: I like cuddling
with my mom, long past the age where my peers don't cuddle with their moms. Nor
do I care what people say about this.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5uJxCD1rI84/T_nIgVFqm4I/AAAAAAAAAK4/cMSgxSayZac/s1600/TylerAmazement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_mqstl9="5" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5uJxCD1rI84/T_nIgVFqm4I/AAAAAAAAAK4/cMSgxSayZac/s320/TylerAmazement.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Autism is: I always see
things with new eyes. My wonderment and fascination never stop
growing.</b></td></tr>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juhVXXFO3sY/T_nJVX8wcpI/AAAAAAAAALA/3O_mAZ3Svfs/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+(Thursday+-+Friday)+184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_mqstl9="6" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juhVXXFO3sY/T_nJVX8wcpI/AAAAAAAAALA/3O_mAZ3Svfs/s320/Thanksgiving+2010+(Thursday+-+Friday)+184.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Autism is: no fear. My sister
wouldn't dare stick her hand in this tank filled with stingrays. I never even
paused to think about what worried her. I am not afraid to push myself outside
the box.</b></td></tr>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LCaKG531Og/T_nLHfZK_YI/AAAAAAAAALI/HRRFUmzamrY/s1600/TylerSits4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_mqstl9="7" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LCaKG531Og/T_nLHfZK_YI/AAAAAAAAALI/HRRFUmzamrY/s320/TylerSits4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Autism is: I love my lap top.
It is my most prized obsession. I love video games, and I've probably kicked
your butt in one or two of them.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwAlUPR5_vw/T_nMGDJtSsI/AAAAAAAAALQ/_nvkKRU8gjw/s1600/m_001d153ebc2f41bc997a84a866ec9687%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_mqstl9="8" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwAlUPR5_vw/T_nMGDJtSsI/AAAAAAAAALQ/_nvkKRU8gjw/s1600/m_001d153ebc2f41bc997a84a866ec9687%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Autism is: There is no one in
this world I love like I love my sister. She is my best friend. I do everything
with her. I don't like other people, but I like her. No matter
what.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ooDBjt2dyA/T_nM47QjlQI/AAAAAAAAALY/y01FpOzJuic/s1600/Tyler2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_mqstl9="9" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ooDBjt2dyA/T_nM47QjlQI/AAAAAAAAALY/y01FpOzJuic/s320/Tyler2011.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My name is Tyler. I have high
functioning autism. I have it. It does not have me. There is nothing wrong with
the way I look. There is nothing wrong with the things that I do. I am
different. Not less. I am not a joke or a
pun. </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />People get their panties in a bunch over
autism. I really don't understand it. They freak out. EEWW NOT THE DREADED
AUTISM!!! Is it contagious?! :( Unfortunately not. It would make a world of an
improvement on some people. You know, without autism...you wouldn't have all the
things you enjoy so much. No t.v., no cell phone, no video games, no cars....
Without the obsessions that drive the autistic you wouldn't have any modern
advancements. Their inability to let things go until they figure it out is what
drives progress. "Normal" people...when something doesn't work and they can't
force it to work....they give up. Not an autistic. They push and push. They keep
looking at the old with new eyes. Until it clicks.<br />
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<div>
Keep making fun of the autistic's. One day you will know their names. They
will be the ones bringing in the new advancements. They will be your boss. Then
we'll check back in to see if you're still laughing. I rather doubt it.</div>
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Everyone should listen to this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVjbo8dW9c8"><span style="color: #cc3300;">song</span></a>.</div>
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<div>
Please think, before you speak.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
This post was first published on <a href="http://tylerisms-for-the-autistic-soul.blogspot.com/">Tylerisms for the
Autistic Soul</a> and is reposted here with permission. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-34341336653326303552012-07-08T13:40:00.002-07:002012-07-08T13:40:16.475-07:00Parenting With Asperger's: What Autistic Looks Like<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yW3KKV3zbPs/T_nS0cFgJhI/AAAAAAAAOrQ/6KQPJ3dlyXM/s1600/PWA_cover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><img border="0" closure_uid_nukgls="2" height="118" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yW3KKV3zbPs/T_nS0cFgJhI/AAAAAAAAOrQ/6KQPJ3dlyXM/s320/PWA_cover1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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By now, you've probably heard about the rapper 50 Cent stating that someone
he dislikes looks autistic and he doesn't want special needs people on his
Twitter page. Holly Robinson Peete composed a very touching response to him and
posted it on <a href="http://www.hollyrod.org/huddle/dear-50-cent-3/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2288bb;">her website</span></a>.</div>
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<div>
In response to his very rude and ignorant tweets, several other ASD
bloggers have chosen to respond. This is my contribution.</div>
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<div>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">The above image is
a picture of my 3 children. Allow me to introduce you to
them.</span></div>
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This is Thomas. He has Special Needs. Can't tell,
can you? He's caring for his newborn kitten whose mother died during birth. But
how can a kid with Special Needs do something so ..... normal??? So kind? So
gentle? Thomas has Sensory Processing Disorder.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T001zkNxYM8/T_nOHFPkzKI/AAAAAAAAOqw/CO8hqw6-zkw/s1600/batcat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_nukgls="3" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T001zkNxYM8/T_nOHFPkzKI/AAAAAAAAOqw/CO8hqw6-zkw/s320/batcat2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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This is Max.
He built this Lego car in about 2 hours. It's over 800 pieces. I'm not really
seeing the "autistic look" you speak of, 50. I DO see a 12 yr old kid who is
pretty proud of his accomplishment here. He just also happens to have Autism.
And a kick ass Lego car that sits on the mantle over the fireplace.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcxdrYlYexo/T_nOu3XC-rI/AAAAAAAAOq4/Po2JMRvrUSU/s1600/maxlegocar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_nukgls="4" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcxdrYlYexo/T_nOu3XC-rI/AAAAAAAAOq4/Po2JMRvrUSU/s320/maxlegocar.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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This is Rachel. She
just got done swimming with her little brother. She has Special Needs, too. Can
you see that, 50 Cent? No? She looks like every other 10 year old girl out
there? That's what I thought, too. Well, guess what? She has Sensory Processing
Disorder like her brothers. She also has some traits of Asperger's Syndrome and
ADHD. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLNE3sAGBog/T_nQlbEGbUI/AAAAAAAAOrA/_y3wzFQF6O4/s1600/RaeKitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_nukgls="5" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLNE3sAGBog/T_nQlbEGbUI/AAAAAAAAOrA/_y3wzFQF6O4/s320/RaeKitchen.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And this is me. My
name is Carrie and I have Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, Fibromyalgia, and
Migraines. I look like a pink-haired pin-up here, but I don't see Special Needs
or Autism. Do you?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FXzfSM4qUE/T_nRt3Q4qzI/AAAAAAAAOrI/Hp-2rypzlnY/s1600/CarriePinup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_nukgls="6" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FXzfSM4qUE/T_nRt3Q4qzI/AAAAAAAAOrI/Hp-2rypzlnY/s320/CarriePinup.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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What a mindfuck
you must be having, 50. From what I can see, we all look just like everyone
else. D<span style="background-color: white;">oes autism have a "look"
that all of us on, or associated with, the spectrum don't know about? Is there a
Special Needs look we don't know about? I know you're REALLY busy being a
business man, a rapper, and an icon for so many, but I do hope you take time out
of your day to respond to SOMEONE and explain yourself. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"></span> This post was first published on <a href="http://parentingwithaspergers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Parenting With Asperger's</a> and is reposted with permission here. </div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-61512754200921013832012-07-08T09:09:00.004-07:002012-07-08T09:09:54.714-07:00What Autism Looks Like: Beautiful (Autism Art Project)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jl-4yM8JkSs/T_mBuA2RrgI/AAAAAAAAAbs/-MQuiAz9Ces/s400/brothers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="324" /></td></tr>
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<br />I have done the portraits of 16 different autistic children now, my own son included. And I plan to do many more. If I have learned ANYTHING since I started this project a year ago, it is that kids on the spectrum are BEAUTIFUL BEYOND DESCRIPTION. They have eyes that speak volumes, smiles that light up the world, and features that are absolutely captivating. I should know. I've been doing portraits for a long time. But it's more than just their LOOKS. It's their positive attitudes, their love of life, and their way of looking at the world that makes them special.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8MWFdeBYUk/T_mGQQt1ayI/AAAAAAAAAb4/rYy-qeduolE/s400/derek+and+mom.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
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I've noticed that people hate and fear what they don't understand. This is especially true of disabilities. Unfortunately, their words and actions reflect this. When someone has an obvious disability, like an amputation, often times people only see the disability. They forget that there is still an actual PERSON and that the person could probably use a smile. Same goes for someone with Down's Syndrome. Are people afraid that if they smile and nod at a stranger with Down's that they might actually catch it like the flu? And autism? What do people do when the disability is NOT as obvious? More and more lately, when I'm out in public with my children, people either refuse to give me eye contact or, if my son is having a meltdown, I am met with looks of outright disapproval, disgust, and judgment. <br />
<br />
<br />I'll be honest, sometimes it bothers me. But lately, I smile. Because these people don't know what I know. They don't know that my son is learning to speak. They don't know that he makes me laugh, every single day with the things he does. They don't know how much joy he brings to those around him. They don't know understand why hearing him say, "Wuv oo too"last week made me cry. They will never understand, because they choose to look the other way. <br />
<br />
<br />My son has worked harder in the past 3 years of his life than many people people do in a lifetime. He is overcoming obstacles right and left. I couldn't possibly be more proud. And I know I'm his mom, so yes, I'm biased...but I think he's absolutely beautiful. If somebody told ME that I "looked autistic," I'd thank them for the compliment.<br />
<br />
This post was first published at <a href="http://autismartproject.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Autism Art Project</a> and is reposted here with permission.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-8067898589774919592012-07-08T07:40:00.002-07:002012-07-08T07:40:59.081-07:00Dear 50cent from You Leave Me Breadless<br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">Reposted with permission from the author. Original post at</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;"> </span><a href="http://you-leave-me-breadless.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/dear-50cent.html" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">You Leave Me Breadless</a>
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<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="color: #000f6a; font-family: Lobster; font-size: 30px; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
Dear 50cent</h3>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;">Apparently 50cent decided that autistic is the new R-word. Someone insulted him on twitter and he thought a valid comeback was "I've seen your picture fool,you look autistic" </span><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;">
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Dear 50cent,</div>
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How dare you. As a man whose name is a number and grammatically incorrect you have got some nerve. You as a celebrity have so much power. YOU have an ability to change the world in ways that parents like me could never fathom. What I would give for an audience the size of yours to listen to what I have to say about how wonderful my son with autism is. Instead you took that power and you abused it. You took innocent children like my son and made them a joke. </div>
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I am sure it wasn't your intention to piss off an entire community of people who spend every day fighting against this kind of crap you put out there. I am sure it wasn't your intention to look like an absolute fool. But you did. So before you start throwing around autistic as the new insult, I invite you to spend a day in our life. One day, of meltdowns and tears. Not just his but mine as well. I invite you to come and sit through dinner here and see what we live with. Before you dare use that phrase, understand it. I DARE you. Or are you too afraid to see the truth behind the nasty words you used. 24 Hours in my life 50cent, I am willing to bet you couldn't handle it tough guy.</div>
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This is what autistic looks like</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RUoGmoh3zU8/SDPmfUZbBhI/AAAAAAAAAAM/lJnvIPzBq1U/s1600/nate+tub+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #3030c1; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RUoGmoh3zU8/SDPmfUZbBhI/AAAAAAAAAAM/lJnvIPzBq1U/s320/nate+tub+077.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;">
.My son is smart, loving, witty, caring, and intelligent.Perhaps you could learn something from him.</div>
<div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;">
Always,</div>
<div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;">
A Very Angry Autism Parent</div>
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</div>Maritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08186136444811595697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-70116628248489818152012-07-08T06:05:00.001-07:002012-07-08T06:05:44.687-07:00What Autistic Looks LikeReposted with permission from the author. Original post at <a href="http://frogpondsrock.com/2012/07/what-autistic-looks-like/---" target="_blank">http://frogpondsrock.com/2012/07/what-autistic-looks-like/---</a><br />
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This is what Autistic looks like to me.</div>
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<a href="http://frogpondsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Isaac-at-the-park.jpg" style="color: #2361a1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7980" height="531" src="http://frogpondsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Isaac-at-the-park.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="Isaac at the park" width="800" /></a><a href="http://frogpondsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/DSC_0201.jpg" style="color: #2361a1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7981" height="531" src="http://frogpondsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/DSC_0201.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="Isaac climbing the slide" width="800" /></a><a href="http://frogpondsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Amy.jpg" style="color: #2361a1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7983" height="531" src="http://frogpondsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Amy.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="Amy" width="800" /></a><a href="http://frogpondsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Amy-2.jpg" style="color: #2361a1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7982" height="531" src="http://frogpondsrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Amy-2.jpg" style="border: none; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 1.571em; padding: 0px;" title="Amy (2)" width="800" /></a></div>
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Autism looks pretty normal to me.</div>
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To follow the conversation on twitter these are the hashtags to look for. #WhatAutisticLooksLike #Autism #AutismPositivity</div>Maritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08186136444811595697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-20151404812678596702012-07-08T01:47:00.002-07:002012-07-08T01:47:09.177-07:00Ancora Impartial: What Autistic Looks Like<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/RaisingRebelSouls"><span style="color: #993300;">Rebel Souls</span></a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ReinventingMommy"><span style="color: #993300;">Reinventing Mommy</span></a> are collecting posts for <a href="http://whatautisticlookslike.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #993300;">What Autistic Looks Like</span></a> in response to 50
cent's offensive tweets "you look autistic, fool" and "I don't want special ed
kids on my timeline, go follow someone
else".</h3>
<br /><br />What does autism look like? Thats a damn
good question.<br />When I look in the mirror, I see someone who looks like most
everyone else.... though better looking.<br />When I signed up to fight for my
country, they saw no difference in me, than any other soldier. Yes, I can be a
bit of a perfectionist, and yes, I do sometimes lose my cool (have a meltdown),
but years of dealing with people like YOU (50 cent) had taught me that it wasn't
okay to show my flaws.<br />I hid them, and did it pretty well, for years. And
now it has come full circle.<br />I had graduated an advance program at my high
school.<br />I had early acceptance into college.<br />I got a degree in english,
and went on to law school.<br /><span style="color: lime;">I was in Special
Education classes the entire time!</span><br />I served my country, 2002-2003, for
18mo in Iraq as a medic.<br />I practiced law for a corporation in Illinois.<br />I
came back into the Army, as an officer, a leader, in 2009.<br />I married my
amazing wife the same year.<br />And my twins were born to ring in the new
year.<br />I have thrived.<br />And I have autism.<br /><br />My son is being evaluated
for autism.<br />He was born premature.<br />Intubated so he could breathe.<br />Had
heart surgery in his first week of life.<br />Was given slim chances of
survival.<br />He was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.<br />We were told he may never
walk or run.<br />And he came through, as a strong and amazing little guy.<br />He
is 2.5yrs old now.<br />He walks.<br />He runs.<br />He speaks.<br />He loves and is
loved.<br />He is even learning how to read.<br />He has thrived.<br /><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBwihmlhksM/T_lBiHRgcXI/AAAAAAAABBM/CO4MnouKl04/s1600/601337_434616543237152_562475820_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_z9val2="2" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBwihmlhksM/T_lBiHRgcXI/AAAAAAAABBM/CO4MnouKl04/s400/601337_434616543237152_562475820_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Just your average
kid</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMBDXcMQElA/T_lBpBLWkpI/AAAAAAAABBc/ApBS_TcM_es/s1600/294692_1845271186629_1394888748_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_z9val2="3" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMBDXcMQElA/T_lBpBLWkpI/AAAAAAAABBc/ApBS_TcM_es/s400/294692_1845271186629_1394888748_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Could you pick our
Autism out of a crowd?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dd2_STLVUos/T_lBq5ry1mI/AAAAAAAABBk/E30Ty8ZYs8A/s1600/374972_382506731781467_1612572019_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_z9val2="4" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dd2_STLVUos/T_lBq5ry1mI/AAAAAAAABBk/E30Ty8ZYs8A/s400/374972_382506731781467_1612572019_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Does he look
"retarded" or "special ed" to you?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cuC4DWdj_k/T_lBnQdT4MI/AAAAAAAABBU/6RTRwcdhyS4/s1600/251832_435640019801471_412912756_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_z9val2="5" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cuC4DWdj_k/T_lBnQdT4MI/AAAAAAAABBU/6RTRwcdhyS4/s400/251832_435640019801471_412912756_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I train medics to save lives</div>
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My soldiers don't seem to view my
leadership any different.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wi6HptWfM4Q/T_lBsShjprI/AAAAAAAABBs/yfef_CrFOTk/s1600/551639_376167739082033_1573288681_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_z9val2="6" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wi6HptWfM4Q/T_lBsShjprI/AAAAAAAABBs/yfef_CrFOTk/s640/551639_376167739082033_1573288681_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And all my soldiers trust me, wholeheartedly with their
lives....</div>
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....and your freedom.</div>
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So, asshole....think twice about who you talk crap
about.</div>
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I've got all my friends and over 2,000 soldiers who've got my
back...</div>
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...what about you?</div>
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And maybe, when you've done something real with your life,
just maybe, your opinion will matter.</div>
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This post was originally posted on <a href="http://ancora-impartial.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ancora Impartial</a> and is reposted here with permission. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-69812812330003332742012-07-08T01:38:00.006-07:002012-07-08T01:38:54.403-07:00What Does Autism Look Like (Dear Mr. 50 Cents)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYrGo9o7aa4/T_jLCkUsR2I/AAAAAAAAA1M/56mTHuFoPSg/s1600/50+cents-013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_g5n5wm="3" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYrGo9o7aa4/T_jLCkUsR2I/AAAAAAAAA1M/56mTHuFoPSg/s400/50+cents-013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This post is in
response to the rapper 50 Cent's recent Twitter posts which he so kindly
exchanged words on his page about autism to an individual. They were not nice
words. Here is Mommaof4Cutiez response.</div>
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</div>
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This is my son, TY.
He has autism. I asked him a question today. The question was, "If someone said
something bad about autism, what would you want to tell them?" You can read his
very short answer above. </div>
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Let me first start
off by saying I'm not one to get angry. I don't judge. It's not my job. I leave
the judging to the man upstairs. However, this has angered me beyond belief.
When you step into the autism community and say such harsh words you are going
to get burned!! Did you just wake up one day and decide you were going to pick
on autistic people? Did you think this would make you more famous maybe? Get you
in the spotlight? So, you see a photo and think, man, this kid looks autistic.
Really? What exactly does autistic look like to you? Does my son "look autistic"
to you? </div>
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I'm not here to bash
you because that's exactly what you did to our community. Two wrongs never make
a right. Instead I would like to educate you because apparently your mother
forgot to.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5e04JX59rY/T_jf7Jb1wEI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/6ojII7cK5bQ/s1600/50+2-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_g5n5wm="4" height="308" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5e04JX59rY/T_jf7Jb1wEI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/6ojII7cK5bQ/s400/50+2-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Please don't judge
us, we would never judge you. </div>
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This was originally published on <a href="http://mommaof4cutiez.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Momma of 4 Cutiez</a> and is reposted here with permission. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-5703586345924792592012-07-07T12:02:00.004-07:002012-07-07T12:02:46.156-07:00From Four Sea Stars to 50 Cent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/FourSeaStars" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C0SIuwZlQto/T_iHXE7TNOI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/tUwj1c53YMc/s400/50+Cent+Sea+Stars.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Shared with permission from <a href="http://pinterest.com/lizbethcole/autism-sayings-i-made/" target="_blank">Four Sea Stars</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-6910812675892943802012-07-07T11:34:00.002-07:002012-07-07T11:34:36.411-07:00This is not what I signed up for: What Autistic looks like to meReposted with permission from the author. Original Post at <a href="http://this-is-not-what-i-signed-up-for.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/what-autistic-looks-like-to-me.html">http://this-is-not-what-i-signed-up-for.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/what-autistic-looks-like-to-me.html</a>.<br />
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What Autistic looks like to me by Michelle @ <a href="http://this-is-not-what-i-signed-up-for.blogspot.com.au/">This is not what I signed up for</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Earlier today I posted a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://this-is-not-what-i-signed-up-for.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/dear-50-cent.html" style="color: #8b0a00; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">letter to rapper 50 Cent </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">. Then I heard about a Flash Blog dedicated, in response to 50 Cents thoughtless comments, to the topic "What Autistic Looks Like". You can find the Flash Blog</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://whatautisticlookslike.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #8b0a00; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">. So here is my contribution to the topic</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">What Autistic Looks Like......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6LlyukHey1k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> ........ from where I sit it looks beautiful!</span>Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-5751191473843178172012-07-07T09:48:00.001-07:002012-07-07T10:14:05.659-07:00Homestyle Mama: What Autistic Looks Like To Me...<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This is my son
Alex</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwc0e97KheCwtXwpyjuuXneAg9CH2F08aIXOy_UnS4vo0H5CMT2iT8ZC9BqBe5oSy8yYHCn8kFKKjDiE5ZV' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Alex has Severe
Autism</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This is Alex's Sister</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FIsWfUSMrfQ/T_eTkFfdHBI/AAAAAAAABn4/1R252ZZxJRU/s1600/024edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_d73ebi="2" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FIsWfUSMrfQ/T_eTkFfdHBI/AAAAAAAABn4/1R252ZZxJRU/s400/024edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sister is a Child With a Developmental Delay
waiting on a diagnosis of PDD.</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This is
Bam</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp5Aexx9G8g/T_eV3TQT8dI/AAAAAAAABoA/eXT953UK_gA/s1600/Bam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_d73ebi="3" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp5Aexx9G8g/T_eV3TQT8dI/AAAAAAAABoA/eXT953UK_gA/s400/Bam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bam is a Child With a Developmental Delay and
failure to thrive.</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This is Ally</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0qPiBxh4jw/T_eWNDI-XjI/AAAAAAAABoI/DGYleoIx5-A/s1600/ally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_d73ebi="4" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0qPiBxh4jw/T_eWNDI-XjI/AAAAAAAABoI/DGYleoIx5-A/s640/ally.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Ally has
NVLD.</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This is Joshman</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2CmZ-Tl1ns8/T_eYftQewtI/AAAAAAAABoY/dK6YlNmpG74/s1600/josh2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_d73ebi="5" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2CmZ-Tl1ns8/T_eYftQewtI/AAAAAAAABoY/dK6YlNmpG74/s400/josh2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Josh has Severe Autism</div>
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Alex, Sister, Bam, Ally and Josh are what
"autistic" looks like to me. Brilliant in their own right, bright stars who
refuse to be dimmed, loving, sweet, happy, adorable children who just want to be
loved and accepted as they are- same as anyone else. They have their challenges,
they have their struggles but they fight on through to the next day. and the
next day. and the next day. Never letting the struggles or the challenges define
who they want to be. who they are. </div>
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In my world, being Autistic is not a bad thing.
Not an insult. "Looking" autistic is not to be equated with looking like a fool.
There is nothing "foolish" or "stupid" about these beautiful children. <br />
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This post originally appeared on on <a href="http://www.homestyle-mama.com/" target="_blank">Homestyle Mama (with a side of Autism)</a> and was republished here with permission. </div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-90631872481837855072012-07-07T03:40:00.002-07:002012-07-07T03:41:41.391-07:00What Autistic Looks Like (Raising Rebel Souls)A few days ago, the celebrity and rapper 50 Cent, make a very bold move against the Autism community. He used the word "Autistic," as an insult on Twitter, which was broadcast out to his nearly 7 million followers. He stood proud in his bigoted perspective, and continued with several other deeply offensive tweets. The full display of his discriminatory words can be viewed below, with a screen shot provided by <a href="http://thautcast.com/drupal5/" target="_blank">ThAutcast</a>: <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thautcast.com/drupal5/content/50-cents-bigoted-tweets-about-autism-and-special-ed" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jfh6VEAzLIo/T_f_IFfgr4I/AAAAAAAAAuo/QtMQh5VKqVQ/s400/50cent.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the picture to see it on ThAutcast. </td></tr>
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50 Cent later removed the tweets, after getting some backlash from many in the community, and after <a href="http://www.hollyrod.org/huddle/dear-50-cent-3/" target="_blank">Holly Robinson Peete wrote a letter</a> directly to him, with her heartfelt and clear response; "We are not about to let you attempt to make “<em>autistic</em>” the new “<em>R-word</em>” under our watch." </div>
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Upon hearing this news, I must admit, I was crushed. I felt once again, broken hearted from the ways of the world. Like Holly, I immediately looked at the long term consequences of this kind of reckless use of language. I worried that the word Autistic would fall in line with the way some people use the r-word, a synonym for all things insulting, and highly disrespectful. This at a time where self-advocates and parents alike are trying so hard to destigmatize the term Autistic, to destigmatize the Autistic individual, to destigmatize families with Autistic children, to choose <em>Autistic</em> as the name of our unity. This at a time, where I work to destigmatize the word in my own mind, in my own family, in my own house. This at a time where my fears and shame are turning into pride, for my Autistic family. And he put our work into great jeopardy. </div>
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He joined the other side of discrimination.</div>
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He became our oppressor. </div>
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Now, I have made some very ignorant comments in my life, and I am sure in our Autism journey. I have felt great guilt upon discovering them because it is never my intention to hurt a living Soul. I have apologized. I have tried my best to be humble and learn. I understand ignorance, believe me, I fight my own every damn day. What I don't understand is how a man can be confronted with his ignorance, which he spread like wildfire to his millions of followers, and then cowardly step back, instead of stepping forward to apologize. I don't know what "look," 50 Cent was referring to, but he sure does look deliberately prejudice right now. </div>
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Step up, 50 Cent, and stop your words from creating the next generation of angry youth. </div>
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And I can show you what Autistic looks like, in our family, but there is a larger picture I can also paint. </div>
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Autistics look a lot like the way African Americans have looked, for centuries, in their dynamic history. </div>
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Autistics look deeply misunderstood. </div>
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Autistics look wrongfully repressed. </div>
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Autistics look like a fight to be free. </div>
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Autistics look human. </div>
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And my Autistic sons are beautiful. They are brilliant and they are disabled, and they have every right to be who they are, with out shame, and with out their kind of humanity being degraded. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DP_NaLW1ypo/T_gPBkxdlWI/AAAAAAAAAu8/-h61lJOn2Ng/s1600/Ty+IEP+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DP_NaLW1ypo/T_gPBkxdlWI/AAAAAAAAAu8/-h61lJOn2Ng/s400/Ty+IEP+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This post was originally published at <a href="http://raisingrebelsouls.blogspot.com/">Raising Rebel Souls</a>, and is reposted with permission. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-35035759970976730862012-07-06T19:17:00.002-07:002012-07-08T18:28:41.034-07:00What Autistic Looks Like : The Worstest MommyReposted with permission from the author. Original post at <a href="http://theworstestmommy.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-autistic-looks-like.html">http://theworstestmommy.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-autistic-looks-like.html</a>.<br />
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What Autistic Looks Like by <a href="http://theworstestmommy.blogspot.com/">The Worstest Mommy</a><br />
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Recently, rapper <a href="https://twitter.com/50cent" style="color: #105194; text-decoration: none;">50 Cent tweeted</a> some rude messages about "special ed" and "autistic" kids. In response, many mom bloggers including those who have children that are autistic have been responding in mass. Even Holly Robinson Peete posted a <a href="http://www.hollyrod.org/huddle/dear-50-cent-3/" style="color: #105194; text-decoration: none;">letter</a> in response, as she also has a 13 year old son who is autistic. She spoke clearly and succinct about how comments like his affect families with autistic children and concluded her letter with a picture of her son...this is what autism looks like.</div>
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My middle son, Ethan, will be 11 tomorrow. He has autism and this is what it looks like...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DgWLaKhK-Cs/T_eFsvQ6w2I/AAAAAAAACPc/Z5qylr3pFq0/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #105194; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DgWLaKhK-Cs/T_eFsvQ6w2I/AAAAAAAACPc/Z5qylr3pFq0/s320/IMG_0170.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Autism can be quiet and introspective...sometimes it is non-verbal..</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxEjZzLOoZE/T_eGJEoQNoI/AAAAAAAACPw/yyIHZEO6FGA/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #105194; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxEjZzLOoZE/T_eGJEoQNoI/AAAAAAAACPw/yyIHZEO6FGA/s320/IMG_0260.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="213" /></a></div>
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Autism can have a mind of it's own...independent of other disorders, yet completely intertwined.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uZQyhaHsTvU/T_eGaAu78gI/AAAAAAAACQA/xiHljIpY548/s1600/2012-06-21+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #105194; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uZQyhaHsTvU/T_eGaAu78gI/AAAAAAAACQA/xiHljIpY548/s320/2012-06-21+026.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Autism can bring peace...showing a mom, dad, and family, what the important things in life are.</div>
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Autism can be up for adventures, as long as it's on it's own terms.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzw9B5Tnc08/T_eGjerUEqI/AAAAAAAACQU/LayD7Mip-y0/s1600/2012-06-19+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #105194; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzw9B5Tnc08/T_eGjerUEqI/AAAAAAAACQU/LayD7Mip-y0/s320/2012-06-19+004.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Autism can be fun and playful, recreating movie scenes over and over...even if just for it's own entertainment.</div>
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Autism can be strong and powerful...not to be feared, but to be understood.</div>
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Kids, like my son with autism, can be bright, intelligent kids that love to do what every other child likes to do. Their brain just has a different way of figuring things out.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJ0cYWHY1UI/T_eHJdz47AI/AAAAAAAACRU/W6Tp6VZG5XA/s1600/2012-06-07+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #105194; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJ0cYWHY1UI/T_eHJdz47AI/AAAAAAAACRU/W6Tp6VZG5XA/s320/2012-06-07+006.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="240" /></a></div>
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Kids with autism can often have a hard time getting along with other kids. Sometimes, they have no trouble...and can even find their own childhood crushes and feel love for someone else.</div>
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These kids, like my son, are not freaks...they are not kids to make fun of. As parents we will do anything we have to do for our kids, go to any lengths...most of the time, at the expense of our own personal time, money, and mental health. Our kids are our everything...and not even some celebrity rapper from Detroit can change that. You have messed with the wrong group of parents, this time!</div>
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</div>Reinventing Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592209411003975977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677605319198034773.post-15413516271509831762012-07-06T05:47:00.001-07:002012-07-08T06:06:13.084-07:00This is what Autistic looks like... (Marita @StuffWithThing)I read <a href="http://www.hollyrod.org/huddle/dear-50-cent-3/" target="_blank">the HollyRod blog post</a> a couple of days ago with sadness.
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<em> We are not about to let you attempt to make “autistic” the new “R-word” under our watch.</em></blockquote>
No. We will not let that happen.<br />
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This is what autistic looks like in my world.<br />
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Happy girls laughing with their Dad:<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5ZOeSv-50p_wpNZ_0KHnx9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="640" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8ID0s7RTMBY/T98MKxLegwI/AAAAAAAAUgc/RCKxbPi3OtM/s640/IMG_7164.JPG" width="488" /></a><br />
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9 years old and growing up too fast, just like all children do:<br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dimSDZH6loRiTiiBJ6m3ddF1Ioy_a25fqgApxeOhD9k?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="640" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QZ21WzAFV7c/TxJxB0hqL-I/AAAAAAAAS1c/4ZVficBrSp4/s640/IMG_4697.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
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7 years old and loving to dress up:
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Bk028ExuuRDV-dOxO12szdF1Ioy_a25fqgApxeOhD9k?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="640" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q3prLf3_IQU/TyBseKpM6TI/AAAAAAAAS50/vvzh7qHAMZo/s640/IMG_4872.JPG" width="480" /></a>
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Sisters who love each other:
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XRRfXeWYZizmLBxIvz30dtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="640" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xnY_-NFqBi8/T98McH1BesI/AAAAAAAAUgk/GdxI71OZiyk/s640/IMG_7143.JPG" width="434" /></a>
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What does Autistic look like in your world? Please write a post and show the world Autistic is not an insult, Autistic is beautiful.<br />
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From Marita, blogging at <a href="http://www.stuffwiththing.com/">Stuff With Thing</a> about Life, the Universe and Autism.Maritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08186136444811595697noreply@blogger.com4