One of the biggest fears a person can have is loss of control of self. The other is fear of the unknown. For many with autism, the unknown can trigger a loss of control. One great fear leads to another. There are many sources out there that will tell you why we do what we…
On the Road to Interdependence
Merriam-Webster defines independence as the quality or state of being independent, or competence. Other words used to express independence include self-support, self-subsistence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and finally, self-dependence. How many times have you heard or said the word āindependentlyā or used any of these synonyms when discussing goals, measuring growth, or contemplating the future as it…
Guardianship: Confessions of a Mother
I laugh now, but at the time it was terribly traumatic. My son, Daniel, was days away from turning age 18. Guardianship! The issue was here; there was no more time ā or so I thought. My husband and I had known for quite some time that our youngest son, diagnosed with autism, would need…
WNC Run/Walk for Autism is Chance to Share Their Story
Wyatt Ogden was not diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder until he was 7 years old. He had been referred for an autism evaluation by his preschool when he was 3, but he was high-functioning, and his parents did not want to limit him with a label. But Wyatt had some challenges in elementary school, and…
The Opinions of Others: Iām No Longer Concerned
When my son was first diagnosed with autism at the age of four and a half, I was truly concerned about what others thought about his different and strange behaviors. My son looks very much like his typical peers, as many children with autism do. People stared and gave me disapproving looks when he would…
Where Am I When I Am in My Head?
Where am I when I am in my head? That is a pretty specific question! I tell you, Iām not like any other Autistic! But then again, no Autistic is like any other Autistic! How about non-Autistics? Are you, whether you are Autistic or not, like anyone else? Iād like to think Iām like some…
How to Help as a Grandparent
This article was contributed by Terry Fetzer, who is an Autism Resource Specialist in the Eastern region and has a son and a grandson with autism. Most of us remember what a miracle it was when we became a parent of a child. The years pass, and now your child is an adult having a…