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Tag Archives: Parenting
Just When I Thought It Couldn’t Get Worse, Part 5
The female investigator from Child Protective Services (CPS) surveyed the broken items around us and asked whether my daughter received behavioral support. “I had a great in-home team who had been with us for years, but I lost them in … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Autism, Behavioral Issues, Child Protective Services, CPS, MediCal, Parenting, Regional Center, Single Parent, Special Education, Unplanned Life
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Just When I Thought It Couldn’t Get Worse, Part 4
I didn’t have long to wait. The investigator from Child Protective Services (CPS) arrived the next morning. She refused to enter until I put the dog outside, then paused at the door while she took in my new decor. The … Continue reading
Just When I Thought It Couldn’t Get Worse, Part 3
Without Caroline, there could be no “school.” We’d been given an afternoon off. It was unexpected, but I wasn’t about to complain. Neither was Katie. Free of the usual afternoon chaos, I went to my office and jumped on a … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Autism, Behavioral Issues, Child Protective Services, Parenting, Shame, Single Parent, Special Education, Unplanned Life
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The Perils of Puberty
I can’t ignore it any longer. My eleven-year-old daughter Katie has entered puberty. My sweet, helpful little girl has been replaced with a crabby, mercurial pre-teen who litters the floor with discarded possessions, eats nonstop, snaps at me, argues about … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Autism, Autism A to Z, Behavioral Issues, Change, Parenting, Puberty, Sensory Integration, Special Needs, Transitions, Unplanned Life
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Dreaming of Camp Arroyo
In October 2014, my daughter Katie attended outdoor education camp at Camp Loma Mar, near Half Moon Bay, California. It was a big deal, and not just because it was my ten-year-old’s first time in a camp setting. Katie has … Continue reading
Thank You, I’m Fine
It’s ironic that of all the disabilities my daughter could have had, Katie was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Kids on the spectrum have trouble identifying and labeling their emotions. But sadly, so do I. No, I’m not on the … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Autism, Emotional Honesty, Emotions, Feelings, Parenting, Speech Delay, Unplanned Life
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Some Thoughts on Luck (And Other Stuff)
As Saint Patrick’s Day approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about luck. Most people think it’s incredibly unlucky that after eight years of infertility, my ex and I adopted a baby girl who turned out to have autism spectrum disorder—a … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Acceptance, Adoption, Autism, Change, Diversity, Divorce, Expectations, Family, Gratitude, Infertility, Loss, Love, Luck, Parenting, Single Parent, St Patrick's Day, Unplanned Life
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Sneaking Candy
I don’t know if this is something I should admit, but my daughter Katie is getting sneaky. Because she has autism and I don’t have any typically functioning children, I’m often unsure if Katie’s behavior is due to her diagnosis … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Autism, Behavioral Issues, Milestones, Parenting, Sensory Integration, Shoulds, Single Parent, Sneaky Child, Unplanned Life
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Camp Loma Mar, Part 2
For a week Katie and I practiced showering and using a sleeping bag. We talked about camp. We practiced greeting strangers. We labeled and packed clothes. We assembled the required gear. I read her social stories. The night before camp, … Continue reading
How The Worst Moments in Our Lives Make Us Who We Are
Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have writer Andrew Solomon. Solomon writes about politics, culture, and psychology and has spent his career telling stories of the hardships of others. His 2012 book, Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, Other Writers, Tuesdays with TED
Tagged 50th Birthday, Acceptance, Andrew Solomon, Anger, Authenticity, Identity, Parenting, Shame, Special Needs, Story, Writing Life
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