This week our blogger Zara writes about the end of school transition.
This week was rough on my son, I don’t think he understood what school ending meant. Being his first year of school I don’t think I prepared him enough. The day they sent his stuff home he was insisting that we had to take it back to school the next day. I didn’t even think that he would need to be preped for the last day of school; it doesn’t mean school is over forever and he gets the same teacher next year, but I was wrong.
Often I find it’s easy for us to miss what our kids need help with because life is easy for us. It is so hard to know what they need us to guide them through especially if they themselves can’t articulate their needs. I could blame myself for yesterday as I’m not perfect, by far, I’m just a mom who’s trying her best.
I’ll try my best next week when I prep him for camp. He’s going to a new camp, with new teachers. I’m really nervous but perhaps I can learn from this week and put more effort into helping him transition to camp.
On a plus note we are going to see fireworks tomorrow which will be the highlight of his week for sure.
Happy Canada Day! Be safe and have fun!
This week our blogger Zara writes about why she walks in the Toronto Walk Now for Autism Speaks Canada.
Sunday is approaching fast and my family is preparing for the Toronto Walk Now for Autism Speaks Canada.
The A to Z Team is hard at work tying up loose end; the reinforcements (Grandma) arrive tonight followed by our final tally of fundraising efforts. My kids love this event and so do I. My kids love the activities, my daughter loves the Toys “R” Us booth and my sons are particularly fond of the bouncy castles. My husband really enjoys the information booths; he loves how all the services and programs are highlighted there, making it really easy to access new things.
For me the event is more than that. Yes, it is a wonderful fundraising event and a great way to connect with services but for me its peace. It’s the one place I can go every year where no one judges me, no one offers me “non-valid” advice, and we just get to be the family we are. As busy and as crazy as my kids can get, they are never out of place, they just belong and that is a wonderful feeling.
So kudos to Autism Speaks Canada for their tireless work on the fantastic events. I’m sure Sunday will be a busy day for all. I’d say look for me, but that day I get to be just another mom. 
This week our blogger Zara writes about her husband and Father’s Day.
It’s June again and if your house is like my house, you’ve started talking about Father’s day. My daughter has already come to me with a huge list of things to get daddy for “daddy’s day”.
My husband is a good dad. As any parent of kid’s with special needs can tell you some days aren’t easy, and these are the days that are hardest on my husband. He still has a hard time being patient with the kids. Patience and understanding were not words my husband grew up with. His house was very strict and adult oriented, leaving very little room for children. As a father, my husband really tries to raise the kids differently and for the most part, he’s succeeding.
He has now almost mastered patience 
He’s the parent the kids go to when they want to be bounced super high in the trampoline and always the one who gives the best video game advice. When it comes to helping with the kids, he is always supportive. He may not understand why the kids always want mommy, but he is the one who will rub my back at the end of day, or surprise me with my favourite Dairy Queen treat on his way home from work.
Without these little gestures I don’t know how I would handle my day to day life, his support however small or big, is greatly appreciated and needed.
Hi and welcome to my blog. Let me begin by giving you some background history. I’m a 32 year old mother of 3. My children are ages 6, 4, and 2. In 2008 my 4 year old (then 2) was diagnosed with autism after a gruelling year of specialist appointments. Recently my 6 yr old daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and my 2yr old with autism. Needless to say my house is very busy! So when i was asked to write a blog for Autism speaks Canada, I was thrilled at the chance that my stories could help inspire, motivate and create connections within the Autism community. I hope you enjoy.
Ever wonder why we measure love through the words “I Love you”? It as if our subconscious craves these words and the lack of them breaks our heart a little each day. I only ask as my youngest son is currently non-verbal and last night he expressed his “I Love you” so beautifully that I was moved to tears.
My 2 year olds nickname is Mr. Destructive; he is so rough with everything! But last night was different, we were watching a Friends episode (my mental breakJ) and instead of his usual running and throwing of toys, he just sat beside me on the couch and curled up with me, and then to my utter shock and surprise he crawled into my lap, grabbed the sides of my face and proceeded to kiss me 10 times in a row, and then as if it had never happened, he was up and running again. I think he was trying to tell me that he loves me and even if he didn’t say them, I still got the message.
