Autism Link Love

Top 10 Autism Friendly Employers

Medical Cannabis Treatment Trials for Autism to Begin

Hormone Linked to Autism May Provide New Test and Treatment

Creating the Perfect Backyard for Those On the Autism Spectrum - interesting about safety features but not as in-depth as I would of liked on specific features etc.

Booking It May

 Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit is not happening this month but she will be sharing her Summer Reading Guide. This was a slower reading month for me.

Educated by Tara Westover -The wait list for the physical book was so long at the library I opted for the ebook.  This book has been getting a lot of hype and I have to say Tara's life story is mind blowing.  Where she is today is a testament to her resilience. This book was also picked as part of the March Madness - Books That Are Better Read Together at Modern Mrs Darcy

I also enjoyed NewYork Times Book Review Podcast that featured Tara.

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal - I should of included this in my book review last month.  This was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick.  It was interesting but not a book I would of probably chosen on my own. Yep, this book is a little bit on the racy side so if not your cup of tea you might want to pass on this one.

Happiness a Memoir by Heather Harpham is another Reese Witherspoon  book club pick.  This was a quick read for me.  This book is mainly about Heather's child Gracie and her experience of getting a bone marrow transplant.  I won't lie I did read part of the ending in the middle of the book.  I just had to know.  I also love the love story between her husband and Heather.  It is so imperfect but real. I love the quote below.

If You are lucky, you meet four or five people in a lifetime who you're totally comfortable with . Comfortable in a way that causes you best self to surge forward. With them, rowing through life's quotidian mess is an adventure.

Mother's Day Linky

Happy Mother's Day!

ThankYou, MOM!
Love YOU!

Somebody (Anybody) Please Take My Picture

A Librarian Discovered the Codes Used By Elderly Library Goers

7 Things My Mother Taught Me - Modern Mrs Darcy

Doctor Designs An Incredible Tiny House as a Replacement for Nursing Home

Wordy Wednesday

This is a little mantra I have been having.

Crossing Tulips Off the Bucket List

It has only taken 14 years or so to go so the tulip fields in Skagit Valley.  This particular jaunt has been on my list for a while. We visited Roozengaarde fields near Mount Vernon, Washington. We went on a Sunday morning and the fields were beautiful.

There were lots and lots of people.  My husband and I are not crowd people so it was a bit too many people for us.  We were glad we were there before lunch however because as we left the crowd was significantly bigger.

They actually grow more daffodils then tulips.  The daffodils were just finished blooming.

Linky Love

Can Reading Make You Happier?

The Great American Read - Premiers May 22nd.  Great List

Seeking Adventure and Gold - oldie but goodie - The treasure is still out there

Trust the Process - Autism

***April is Autism Awareness Month and I usually share about my son and his journey.  My son is 19 and autistic .  He currently enrolled in a transition program through his local school district and receives services through the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. He recently just got a job coach.  His number one goal is to work.  HE just really wants to work desperately.

TRUST THE PROCESS

 I have heard "trust the process"  in regards to autism journey so many times.  Recently I was listening to a reply all podcast where they were discussing a tweet about the  basketball team, "The  76ers," and their old general manager, Sam Hinke,  and his trust the process attitude.  I usually HATE a sport analogy but this one kinda fits.  The below quote was taken from this article by Victor Mather

After Sam Hinkie took over in 2013, the Sixers endured three consecutive horrendous seasons with fewer than 20 wins, and that’s just how he wanted it. Hinkie’s notion was that the best way for the team to become great was to lose badly for years, while stockpiling the resulting great draft picks. His plan was called the Process, and many Sixers fans bought in.

To be clear, the players never intentionally tried to lose. But Hinkie kept the roster weak, ruthlessly trading away any players who might help the team get unwanted wins.

It seems like the Autism Process through the school district is often a trust the process journey.  Frequently services are traded away for other services often of lower quality or for nothing.  Depending on the level of funded services, the child loses badly for many years often with inappropriate placements, frequent staffing changes, and lack of services. The scaffolding that is frequently offered never materializes.  Parents are told to trust the process often pinning their hope on therapies and placements. Now lots of supports or early interventions are offered but as students age out of the system less and less support services are offered often when support is the most needed.  Autism is a life long disability while behaviors can be modified but the need for life long support is sometimes necessary.

By the way Sam Hinkie was eventually fired. He did help the Sixers eventually get some higher draft picks.  One of the draft picks and star player nicknamed himself, THE PROCESS.

Other Autism Posts
The State of Autism at Our House
What is in a Label?
Lost in Transition
The Elephant in the Room
The Choices We Make
End of 8th Grade