Author Archives: Cynthia J. Patton

About Cynthia J. Patton

Writer, Editor, Advocate, Speaker, Special Needs Attorney, and Autism Mom. Also the Founder and Chairperson of Autism A to Z, a nonprofit providing resources and solutions for life on the spectrum.

Comments That Drive Me Crazy #4
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Posted on May 15, 2013 by

People can say some incredibly stupid things when confronted with autism. This is the fourth installment of insensitive comments that people have made regarding my daughter’s autism and/or my parenting skills. You can find the first list here, the second one … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Meet My Gremlin
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Posted on May 12, 2013 by

My friend, Amy Christensen, is a certified life coach with a passion for adventure and helping women discover and tap into their own adventurous spirits. Based in Boulder, Colorado, her company Expand Outdoors focuses on helping women get outside literally and metaphorically: … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life, News | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Next Big Thing
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Posted on May 8, 2013 by

A few weeks ago, I was tagged in The Next Big Thing by my friend and fellow writer, Jennifer Simpson. For those of you who want to know more about my memoir, here’s your chance. What is the working title of … Continue reading →

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It’s Called a Spectrum For a Reason
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Posted on May 1, 2013 by

A few months ago I met a fellow autism mom through social networking. We shared a poop story (don’t ask; it’s an autism thing) and had a good laugh. I immediately liked her. The following week we both posted about … Continue reading →

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Sometimes the Truth is Stranger Than Fiction: An Update
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Posted on April 24, 2013 by

My daughter Katie has been in her new placement in the Pleasanton School District for nearly three months. By any measurement, the transfer has been a success, thanks to the incredible Ms. Nav, Katie’s awesome aide Sharon, and the rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Fun at the Hardware Store
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Posted on April 17, 2013 by

I wonder at times how my assumptions and fears hold Katie back. I say this because every time a situation or a therapist has challenged me to increase the demands on Katie, she has sailed past my expectations without a … Continue reading →

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Story Published in The Mom Egg
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Posted on April 13, 2013 by

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! It must be my birthday month because I have a second publication in April. This one is in a literary journal called The Mom Egg. As you might have guessed from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life, News, Publications | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Comments That Drive Me Crazy #3
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Posted on April 10, 2013 by

People can say some incredibly stupid things when confronted with autism. This is the third installment of insensitive comments that people have said regarding my daughter’s autism. You can find the first list here and the second one here. Enjoy!   She’s not really … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Pick Ups At the Dog Park
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Posted on April 3, 2013 by

Last month Mom told me that my brother might be getting a dog. I asked why. My brother is in the middle of a divorce and lives in a rental house. A dog seemed like the last thing he needed. … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

What I Learned From National Day of Unplugging
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Posted on March 27, 2013 by

A month or two ago, I read an article in Sunset Magazine about the concept of unplugging. It sounded dreamy and positively blissful. I mean, who wouldn’t want a long, tranquil day free from the constant chime of the phone and endless … Continue reading →

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