Autism Kids Are Brats?

By now, most of you have heard radio show host Michael Savage called kids with autism "brats" who just need more discipline and father figures. Eric's response: come over and babysit and then tell us what you think!

Another mom wrote an editorial that I agree with wholeheartedly, basically saying parents of autism kids WISH it were that simple that they just need more discipline!

Read her full response.

Sandals in July!

People often ask me about Dylan's occupational therapy. They tend to associate occupational therapy with work-related issues. I'm SUCH a big fan of occupational therapy and what it can do for high-sensory kids. Here's a small example: Dylan has very sensitive feet. I've bought several sandals for summer, including Crocs, in all sizes and colors trying to tempt him into trying them on. Each time, I've failed. He insisted on wearing hot sneakers with thick socks in 100-degree weather! So, I got these sandals last week and thought, surely THIS kid would fall for them if they have a CAR on the side. No such luck. I decided that these were the FINAL shoes I was going to buy this summer. So, I brought the sandals into Dylan's occupational therapist. She had him sit in a big bucket of rice and run his legs and feet through the feel of different things. As he sat there, he read a "social story" which is a picture book explaining things in detail. This social story was about when we wear certain shoes, such as boots in the snow, sandals in the summer, etc. When he got out of the bucket of rice, he put on his sandals and left the sneakers there (or so he thinks)! The next morning, he yelled "I forgot my shoes at OT!" I thought he was going to get upset, but he just put the CARS sandals on and went on with life. WHEW! These are the reasons I am and always will be a big fan of what occupational therapists can achieve!