Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

When most parents are starting on the autism diagnosis process, one of the first things they ask: Did vaccines cause autism? Maybe they’ve read an article or it was word of mouth.  But why the doubts? Why are parents concerned about this? Well, for starters, the rate of autism diagnosis has increased year-after-year.  This tends to cause a bit of worry and concern. And rightfully so. Parents start looking for a cause. Do vaccines really cause autism? When I first started blogging about autism, I told myself that I would never touch the vaccine topic. Why? I always felt that it was more trouble than it was worth. However, with Autism A to Z, I felt that I would have a great opportunity to cover the topic…

The One Overwhelming Thing that Keeps Me Up at Night
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The One Overwhelming Thing that Keeps Me Up at Night

As the parent of a non verbal autistic child, there are many things that I worry about. Some of these things are probably so far out of my control that I should just let them go. But I can’t. I have tried and tried and I just can’t. When she was younger, one of my biggest worries was if she would ever talk. I spent countless nights thinking about that, my head swimming with all of the possibilities. The ifs and the hows, and then finally the whens. I was optimistic. Maybe too optimistic for my own good at the time. But I just wanted the best for her. Then came one of her follow up appointments with the developmental pediatrician and my worry was…

What Happens When Your Toddler Has Autism

What Happens When Your Toddler Has Autism

I want to tell you about my firsthand experience regarding autism in toddlers. My middle child is non-verbal, severely autistic. She has autism. The A word that I never wanted to think about before she got her diagnosis and the A word that I still sometimes don’t want to hear. It doesn’t matter how I word it, there are times that I still don’t want to hear it. I say this not because I’m ashamed of her, far from it. I say that because it’s just a part of who she is. Her autism does not define her, but it does explain some of her quirks. Her autism will not got away, there is no cure- and I’m okay with that. Autism is a part…

How Autism Ruined Yet Another Holiday (Except that it didn’t)
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How Autism Ruined Yet Another Holiday (Except that it didn’t)

Autism has a tendency of ruining things. Having an autistic child ruined my life. Yes, friends, that was my mindset. Autism ruined a holiday Autism ruined my life Autism ruined my relationship with my daughter Autism ruined my marriage But I couldn’t have been further from the truth. I’ll take you back to a time when I thought differently. A time when I was quick to blame autism for just about everything. And yes, I mean autism specifically and not my child. I would never say that my child ruins things because it’s entirely untrue. Her autism, on the other hand, oh yes – I could place blame on that for plenty of things. First, autism robbed me of my hopes and dreams for my…

How to Help Your Autistic Teen Through Puberty

How to Help Your Autistic Teen Through Puberty

All children grow up (with the exception, of course, of Peter Pan) and that includes our autistic children. Even if they may not be at the same developmental age or stage; that doesn’t stop the onset of puberty or the fact that our autistic toddlers and preschoolers will eventually become autistic adults. I will say this, parenting an autistic teenager is an adventure and while she still doesn’t come with a manual; I’m doing my best to help my daughter. Here’s a few ways to help your autistic teen through puberty. How to Support Your Autistic Teen Through Puberty After receiving Sweet B’s initial diagnosis, and eventually coming to terms with said diagnosis, a stark reality hit me in the face. One day, and sooner…

Back to School Transition Tips for Autistic Kids

Back to School Transition Tips for Autistic Kids

Sweet B was 3 when she started preschool and honestly? I will remember that day like it was yesterday. That day was quite possibly one of the most difficult for her and for me and if you’d like, you can read about our story here.. Prior to that, she had stayed at home with me while her team of therapists came in and out of the house. But, after meeting with the Early Intervention team, it was decided that going to a special needs preschool program would be best. Thanks to V, I was already somewhat familiar with the special education process at the early childhood level. But, because had already been in daycare, the transition to preschool was easy. Today I want to share…