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.

A Mother’s Day Tradition
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Posted on May 13, 2012 by

Back when I was a child, Mother’s Day meant all three, and then four, of us kids “helping” Dad with breakfast. Our usual Sunday morning fare was fried or scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and Sarah Lee Honey Buns—which if … Continue reading →

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

There’s No Daddy Here
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Posted on May 9, 2012 by

A year or so ago, my daughter Katie noticed that her family looked different. She was doing a class project that involved identifying family members. Her drawing included the two of us plus Max the cat and Delta the dog. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Excuse Me While I Rant a Bit About the Media and Adoption
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Posted on May 2, 2012 by

Why do the media feel compelled to point out when a child is adopted? It’s never Sandra Bullock and her son. It’s always Sandra Bullock and her adopted son, Louis. The articles specify which of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s … Continue reading →

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

First Friends, Part 2
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Posted on April 22, 2012 by

My daughter has a friend. I never thought I would view this statement as something close to miraculous, but that’s how autism changes you. I no longer take friends—mine or my daughter’s—for granted. I wrote a few weeks ago about … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

One Thing I Hear Constantly
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Posted on April 10, 2012 by

One thing I hear constantly as a single parent of an autistic child: Wow, I don’t know how you manage. I don’t think I could do it. I suspect these people mean well, that they are trying to give me … Continue reading →

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

First Friends
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Posted on April 2, 2012 by

Okay, I confess. I was late getting my daughter Katie to school. It happens more times than I care to admit. She should be taking the bus, but don’t get me started on that topic. I tell myself most people … Continue reading →

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

My Life as a Sweater, Part 2
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Posted on March 27, 2012 by

Several weeks ago I wrote about the bad days when I’m exhausted, depressed, and totally overwhelmed, days when my life is a sweater unraveled. It was also a post about the surprising number of people who have told me over … Continue reading →

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

Poems and Prayers
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Posted on March 17, 2012 by

In October 2010, the City of Livermore hosted an Ekphrasis Event in which it asked writers to view local artwork and submit poetry that responded to it. I fell in love with one of the pieces: Autumn Soul by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Will the Real Parent Please Stand Up
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Posted on March 9, 2012 by

Open adoption is a subject people find endlessly fascinating. Whenever I mention that my daughter and I visit her birthparents, as we did about a week ago, strangers will gape in amazement. “You actually know them?” they gasp. “The real … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, My Life | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

A Writer’s March Challenge
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Posted on March 1, 2012 by

Maybe it’s the lawyer in me, but I’m a sucker for a good challenge. So I’ve decided to particpate in A Writer’s March again this year as a way to get myself back into a consistent writing routine. A Writer’s … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life, Other Writers | Tagged , | 2 Comments