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.

Story Wins Award From Spruce Mountain Press
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Posted on November 17, 2012 by

I just learned that my story, “Twisted Love,” won honorable mention in Spruce Mountain Press’ Past Loves Annual Essay Contest! Here’s what the judges at Spruce Mountain Press had to say:  “[Y]our revealing story gives us an inside look at how … Continue reading →

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Sometimes the Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, Part 2
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Posted on November 16, 2012 by

Katie had a good three years in the Dublin School District’s autism program. Unfortunately she aged out of that program this summer, and as hard as it was to say goodbye—especially when she had made her first actual friends there—I … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Sometimes the Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, Part 1
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Posted on November 10, 2012 by

I have been a very bad blogger. I didn’t intend to take the summer off (plus a good part of the fall as well), but in the end, that’s exactly what I did. Katie and I were busy enjoying the … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Keeping the Faith
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Posted on September 27, 2012 by

One of the hardest things about parenting a special needs child, especially one with a speech delay, is the waiting. Or perhaps I should say keeping the faith. You go a long time and don’t see much progress and just … Continue reading →

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I Write Because…
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Posted on September 18, 2012 by

My good friend and fellow writer, Jennifer Simpson, started a new creative project this summer called I Write Because…. What started as a writing exercise has grown into something much bigger, bringing writers together from around the globe to discuss … Continue reading →

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Second Guest Post at The 40+ Woman
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Posted on September 14, 2012 by

This summer I was asked to do a guest post over at Michelle Murphy Zive’s new website, The 40+ Woman. This is the second installment of the two-part story: An Unplanned Life, Part 2. (See my previous post for the … Continue reading →

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Guest Post at The 40+ Woman
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Posted on September 5, 2012 by

I was asked to do a guest post over at Michelle Murphy Zive’s new website, The 40+ Woman. Here’s the first installment of the two-part story: An Unplanned Life, Part 1. I’m thrilled to be helping start her new community of amazing … Continue reading →

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20 Signs That You Might Be a Single Autism Parent
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Posted on June 27, 2012 by

Katie and I had a very relaxing early summer break. I’m not quite ready to return to the serious working world, so just for kicks I compiled a somewhat tongue-in-cheek list of the top twenty signs that you might be a … Continue reading →

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Spend a Night With The Petaluma Readers Theatre
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Posted on June 3, 2012 by

Many of you have asked for details on the Petaluma Readers Theatre production that will include my story, “Elliot Comes to Play.” The story won a Flash Nonfiction Award and was published in Tiny Lights: A Journal of Personal Narrative … Continue reading →

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A Mother’s Day Tradition, Part 2
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Posted on May 20, 2012 by

Here’s what actually happened on Mother’s Day. Katie and I slept in, and then spent a quiet morning with her watching Signing Time (sign language/speech videos that she loves) and me writing on my laptop at the kitchen table. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments