If you know of someone in education, not just special education, or
who deals in issues of disability, family advocacy and school
administation, parenting
or patient care, then one or all of these events may be of interest.
Wed 4/24
A panel on Autism Education at 6:30pm.
Thu 4/25
Ram Kairam, MD on Autism Classification and Diagnosis at
7pm. These evening events are on our main campus in Romita Auditorium.
Fri 4/26
All-day teacher education symposium on Autism. You can register online on the cnr.edu website.
I was going to post this tomorrow but I honestly can't wait! When I picked them up from the post office this morning, I walked out, ripped open the box and changed my shoes in the street. (Oh yes, I did.) Who painted these beautiful TOMS? PEAR MAMA ofhttp://pearmama.blogspot.com Between us, I have a bit of a girl crush on this super artsy, super craftsy, super fabulous Latina Cali blogger. I love love love her blog, her voice, her DIY designs that I know I'll never make - because I am not craftsy. At all. And when I saw she makes custom-painted TOMS, I knew I needed a pair for Autism Awareness Month. So if you're interested in a pair - Denise aka Pear Mama is the go-to gal! For more info on her custom-painted shoes click HERE.
Disclaimer: I happily paid the going rate for these shoes. All gushing is genuine, all opinions are my own.
April is Autism Awareness Month and The Bronx is once again doing it's thing to raise awareness. Searching for a story to highlight, the wonderful folks at News 12 discovered my blog and asked if I was interested in being interviewed! Yesterday afternoon, reporter Amy Yensi paid us a visit. The show aired Wednesday, April 3 at 9:30 pm during the Health segment of the News. The Boy got such a kick out of seeing us on TV. Happy News 12 featured me on their news site - click HERE for the link BUT they did not include the video portion. So here's the bootleg version ;)
April is Autism Awareness Month and as a proud Bronx resident, I am proud that the folks of my borough are working hard to raise awareness. I hope you come out and support. Would love to see you at any of these events. But if you can't - hope you think about donating what you can.
Saturday, April 20th 12 pm - 4 pm
Bring the kids out for games, arts & crafts and giveaways!
Monday, April 29th 11th Annual Charity Golf Classic and Dinner Split Rock Golf Course 870 Shore Road Bronx, NY Golfer Package $175 per person (includes single tee time, cart, fleece and lunch, dinner and drinks) 12pm - 5pm Dinner Package $75 per person (includes dinner and drinks) at 5pm For more information and registration please visit HawthorneCountryDay.org or call
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If you have a New York City Autism Awareness Event you'd like to share - feel free to email me at autismwonderland@gmail.com.
The Autism Speaks bear ($18) will be in Build-a-Bear Workshop stores as of March 27, 2013 (available while supplies last) and $1 from the sale of this bear will be donated to Autism Speaks.
Throughout April, guests can donate $1 (or more) to Autism Speaks upon check out at Build-a-Bear Workshop stores within the United States on line at buildabear.com.
Cute, cuddly and for a good cause, the Autism Speaks bear will make any child - with or without - autism very happy.
I'm excited to host a $25 Build-a-Bear Workshop gift card giveaway.
THE RULES:
You must post a comment with each entry.
Comments will be numbered in the order they are listed and a random number generator (random.org) will be used to select the winner.
If you combine entries into one post, you will only have one chance to win rather than up to three.
Giveaway is open to Continental U.S.
Gift Card will be mailed directly from Build-a-Bear office.
Mandatory entry: Leave a comment.
Additional entries - you must leave a comment for each additional entry:
Tweet: I just entered to win an $25 @buildabear Gift Card via @LaliQuin http://bit.ly/15gQHLM #autismawareness
This giveaway will end Thursday, 3/21/13 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be announced on Facebook & Twitter by 3/22/13 Noon EST. I will contact the winner and you will have 24 hours to reply.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary Build-a-Bear Autism Speaks bear. All opinions are my own.
Last year it hit me. One day The Boy will be a young man. It happened while I was touring schools. A few of the schools I toured went up to 21 years old. There was one young man - tall, lanky, a few hairs sprouting from his upper lip. He approached one of the women on the tour - stuck out his hand and yelled "Hi. My name is Daryl. What's your name?" The woman jumped in surprised, held out her hand reluctantly and whispered her name. I realized she was scared. I wondered how a woman could tour a special needs school for her child and then be scared of the population? Daryl reminded me of an older version of The Boy. The same self stimulatory behaviors. The shaggy hair falling over his brow, the wide trusting smile, the lankiness of his limbs. I realized that while at 3, 4 or 5 - The Boy's behaviors could be seen as cute, quirky - even endearing. At 16, 17, 18 - those cute little behaviours could be seen as weird, suspicious. Threatening. I hadn't thought about Daryl in months. Then Trayvon Martin was murdered. And thenRoss Harrison - a 13 year old autistic Bronx boy - went missing. Ross Harrison has since been found, safe. And I haven't stopped thinking about Daryl and those seconds of fear that woman felt. What if it would have been a dark street? Late at night. A strange face in a 'good' neighborhood. What if Daryl approached a grown man with a gun - wanting to protect his neighborhood from a suspicious character? Would Daryl be identified as suspicous or Autistic? Trayvon Martin wasn't autistic. But he was a young African American male who "looked suspicious." Ross Harrison is autistic and a young man of color, wandering the subway system - completely lost and alone. And for those 3 days Ross was missing - I feared for his safety. All I could think about was Trayvon Martin. And if Ross looked suspicious to anyone. I couldn't imagine what his parents must have been going through. One day, The Boy will be a young man. And he's Latino. The Boy will probably continue to dress like The Husband: baggy camo pants, hoodies and high top sneakers. And The Boy's behaviors could make him look suspicious. I've lived in New York City all of my life. I grew up in Queens. And I now live in The Bronx. We live in a working class neighborhood. There is crime and racial profiling exists. I've seen young men of color stopped in street and padded down for no reason. I've seen kids get beat up. I've seen blood splattered on sidewalks. I've seen prostitutes, pimps and crackheads. I've seen drugs exchange hands. I've been in bodegas (small grocery stores) with bullet proof glass. I've heard the sound of gun shots in the middle of the night. I have friends who have been robbed at gunpoint. Not only in The Bronx but everywhere. It's part of living in an urban environment aka "The Hood." Two years ago, my cousin (who has a developmental/intellectual disability) went missing for three days. He was found in a hospital - brutally beaten by a group of teenagers who misinterpreted my cousin's behaviors as "disrespectful." The Boy won't be 17 for 11 more years. And while New York doesn't have the same gun laws that Florida does - my mind still wanders to the what if. Autistics in the hood need to learn social skills, self help skills and street skills. Are there programs in place to teach young men and women on the spectrum how to deal with the Police? How to deal with crime? Do we teach them to identify themselves as Autistic? Or will this make them even more of a target? How do we keep our kids safe from the George Zimmerman's of the world? I guess I still have some time to figure it out. In the meantime, I'm going to check out these websites below: Howard County Autism Society - The Howard County Autism Society of America, together with its partners, the national office of the Autism Society of America (ASA), and Law Enforcement Awareness Network (L.E.A.N. on Us), with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime is working to develop and pilot a model, replicable Victims with Autism Assistance, Education, and Training Program. Autism Risk Management - Autism training and resources for law enforcement, emergency first responders, parents, educators, care providers, and the autism community.
It's been a while since I've linked up with the fabulous Mrs. 4444. And it's been such a whirl wind of a month, that I figured the best way to piece it all together is through Friday Fragments.
It's been a long winter. The month of March has been the roughest I've had in a while. But April, has been pretty fantastic and full of exciting opportunities! And I'm hoping (crossing fingers and toes) that it's a sign of better things to come.
The first week of April, AutismWonderland was ranked #10 on Babble's Top Autism Spectrum Blogs for Parents 2012! And they wrote such a beautiful description of my blog - here's a snippet "Autism Wonderland is as informative a chronicle of the ASD experience as Lewis Carroll’s book was about where Alice went." I am so honored to be included on this list.
I spent part of Spring Break in Miami at Hispanicize - a Media/Blog Event. Truly such a life/mind changing experience for me. In addition to speaking on a panel with other special needs blog writers, I had the opportunity to pitch my blog on SOiTV. I'm not used to public speaking and was extremely nervous. Johnny, the gentleman introducing me, spoke so quickly in Spanish. And um...I don't speak/understand Spanish - so I look like a deer in the headlights. The blogger with the most YouTube hits gets to be featured on SOiTV for a month.
Last month the wonderful Ellen Seidman of Love That Max asked me - ME! - to contribute something to...wait for it...
And then last night, I was invited to speak at New York Cares. The room was filled with Team Leaders and volunteers all eager to learn more about autism. Also speaking was:
Alicia, the Executive Director of GallopNYC. A wonderful program that "provides therapeutic horseback riding to people in New York City, using interaction with horses to promote the growth of functional and mental abilities in a safe, supportive and fun manner."
Elly, a program coordinator for a new program at Birch Family Services - the New Frontier. The New Frontier focuses on pre-vocational and social learning activities for higher functioning young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Kevin, also with Birch Family Services, is the Autism/Residential coordinator with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Birch Family Services where he provides training, support and guidance to Birch residents and day habilitation programs.
Then this morning, I finally checked my personal email account. After deleting all the SPAM, I opened up an email from the English Department of CCNY. I won an award for a short story I submitted. It reminded me that while I love writing this blog, I also love writing fiction. It also reminded that even though I needed to take the semester off. I need to get back and graduate.
I hope that all of these wonderful things are a sign that things are starting to look up. I need a break. And The Boy? He needs a new school. Cross your fingers that we find one and that the Board of Ed doesn't fight us too much.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk with Christina Mendez. If you follow the NYC hip hop fashion scene or are just a fashionista in general - you'll recognize her face. I had seen her face before but it wasn't until I read her story on Latinas Inspire that I realized we shared a common bond.
We are both Latina (I'm Puerto Rican. Christina is Dominican). We both are native New Yorkers. And, most importantly, we are both autism moms.
You know in the first five minutes of talking to someone whether or not you click. Within the first few minutes of talking to Christina, I knew we clicked. Especially when she said, "I'm hustling just like you." We both immediately understood each other.We laughed like old girl friends. Our "story" is similar is so many ways. And we both want the same thing for our sons - acceptance, understanding and respect.
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When did you first realize there was something "wrong" with Damian?
I was young when I had Damian. As a first time mom, I didn't realize. I just thought that Damian was a late bloomer and that every child is different.
How did you/your family react to the diagnosis?
I was shocked. At the time, Damian was enrolled in day care. His teacher suggested we have Damian evaluated. At 2 years old, Damian was diagnosed with severe autism. Doctors and specialists told us Damian would never speak, read or write. Damian was diagnosed in the mid 1990s, no one was really talking about autism the way they are now.
The diagnosis was extremely difficult for Damian's dad. He refused to believe it.
As for my mother - she is in denial, even today. She will never say that Damian is autistic. She says "he has problems." But Damian is her baby, she spoils him.
What was your defining moment of acceptance?
Even though the diagnosis was a shock, I didn't go crazy over it. I was at peace knowing and somehow I knew the diagnosis wasn't a death sentence.
I remember during my senior year of high school - I was a bit of a wild child but in my last year - I had an internship working with autistic teenagers. We were around the same age, but I was helping to take care of them and I just fell in love. When Damian was diagnosed, I felt that God had prepared me for raising a child with autism.
How did you get involved with Autism Speaks?
I used to work for Verizon and was involved in the Hispanic Support Organization (Verizon employee group). Every year we selected a charity to donate money. The money we raised through the group, Verizon matched. One year, we raised money for Autism Speaks and I developed a friendship with Jena Greco (Autism Speaks NYC Walk director).
Do you think Latinos are as aware when it comes to Autism?
Not really. I've been working with Autism Speaks for 6 years and there isn't an A-List Latino celebrity supporting the organization. Autism isn't something Latinos openly talk about. And I believe as a community, we need someone to say it's okay. (Christina made reference to an article on SheKnows - Celebrities with Autistic Children)
What has been the most rewarding aspect of being a special needs mom?
Seeing how far Damian has come. They said he would never speak. He now speaks both English and Spanish. It's not always age appropriate - he still talks about Elmo - but he can communicate his needs and wants. We never knew the progression was going to happen and it has. Damian has worked really hard to get where he is - he's taught me so much. He has taught me to appreciate the little things.
On Wednesday morning, I'll be on a plane heading to Miami. I haven't been to Miami in more than a decade. I haven't been on a plane solo since I became a mom. I'm only going for three days, but it will the longest I've been away from The Husband and The Boy. I'm sort of freaking out. And like any other mom leaving her family, I am feeling the smallest twinge of guilt.
I'm not going to Miami to lounge on the beach or hang at Wet Willie's. I'm going to Hispanicize. My very first blog/media conference.
Back in January when Chantilly asked if I would be interested in speaking on a panel she was moderating, I immediately accepted. The panel is Blogging for a Cause and I'll be with 2 other amazing blog writers - Laura & Eliana. I have spent the last year reading their blogs and I am so excited to meet them.
To be asked to speak at this conference is such an honor for me. To be able to talk about autism during Autism Awareness Month to a prodominantly Latino audience. To meet other Latino blog writers also writing about autism. I still cannot believe it. When I started this blog a year and a half ago as a class assignment I had no idea people would even read it. I had no idea what kind of impact it would have. Or the opportunities that would come out of this. All I wanted was a place to share my thoughts and in return I've gotten so much more.
I cannot wait to tell you all about it when I return!
And in my absence, I'll be featuring 3 guest posts. So be sure to stop by :D
~~~~~~ Meet the Moderator & Panelists of Blogging for a Cause:
Moderator: Chantilly Pantino is a blogger who wears many hats. You can learn more about her at www.BiculturalMom.com.
Panelists: Laura Tellado is a young woman with Spina Bifida. Her blog is called Holdin' Out for a Hero. But I believe she is a hero to many.
Eliana Tardio is the mother of 2 beautiful children with Down Syndrome. You can learn about this Warrior Mami at www.ElianaTardio.com
Who else will be speaking at Hispanicize? Click HERE & find out.
Autism Awareness Month is kind of like an oxymoron for me and others within the community. I write this blog in an effort to spread awareness but some days I feel like I'm preaching to the choir. Because the majority of people who read my blog have an understanding of our day to day lives. We're aware every single day - not just one month out of the year.
So this month of awareness is for the folks not in the know. The ones who have never heard of ABA, FAPE, ASD, PDD or any other special needs acronym.
The thing about awareness - it's a two way street. It's not enough for me to write about it - you have to meet me half way and be willing to learn.
Today I'm thrilled to be guest posting on Acting Balanced. It's kind of like a crash course in what I'd like the "typical" parent to know about autism.
1. What's Autism? 2. How do I explain Autism to my "typical" children? 3. My friend's kid has been diagnosed with autism. What do I say? What do I do?
Want to know my answers to these 3 questions? Click HERE
I've spent the last three months going back and forth to the Kennedy Center. We're having The Boy reevaluated. And the process, has sparked lots of old feelings.
In May it will be 4 years since The Boy's diagnosis. And I think back to the April before the diagnosis - when I was waiting for the results of all the evaluations. When I was hoping for the best while preparing for the worst. When almost everyone was telling I was worrying for nothing. When The Husband was certain there was nothing 'wrong.' I didn't even know April was Autism Awareness Month or that April 2nd, was World Autism Awareness Day.
Had I known what autism was, I wouldn't have waited so long. I would have gone with my gut feeling and had The Boy evaluated months before he turned two years old.
But that's neither here nor there. I can't turn back the clock. I don't care about what caused autism. And have no desire to cure The Boy.
What I do care about and what I can do - is spread awareness. I believe Autism Awareness and Acceptance needs to start at an early age. Children who are taught to understand and accept autism, will grow into adults who understand and accept.
Some groups consider autism to be an epidemic - I don't believe that's true. The real epidemic is ignorance. And ignorance can be easily cured with knowledge. No special studies or research needed.
I'd like to share something that was sent to me by my FB friend Jessica - a fellow warrior mom. Jessica has three beautiful children. Emilia, Charlie & Stella. Charlie has autism. And Emilia was asked to give a speech at her school - in front of 400 children. When Jessica shared Emilia's speech with me on Saturday - I was so incredibly moved and I knew I had to share it here.
Autism Awareness is Monday, April 2nd. Autism is a mental disorder that many kids, including my brother have. They aren't gross, or weird, or contagious. They are just like us, but have a hard time learning or communicating. Many people say that autism is a puzzle. They say this because autism is hard to figure out. The color blue represents autism, like pink represents breast cancer. Did you know that the Empire State Building lights up blue in honor of Autism Awareness? Lots of people are working to find a cure for autism. As I said before, Monday is Autism Awareness day, and I would like everyone in the school to wear blue on Monday to represent autism awareness.
Always
Unique
Totally
Intelligent
Sometimes Mysterious
Emilia's speech will impact the way her classmates think about autism. Not even 10 years old, and she's making a difference. I wish there were more Emilia's in the world.
I've learned so much being The Boy's mother. Our children can teach us so much, all we need to do is listen.
Charlie & Emilia - Stella's in the background
Today is World Autism Awareness Day. But it's also Autism Awareness MONTH. So if you didn't wear your blue today - you have the rest of the month to show your support.
I was going to post this tomorrow but I honestly can't wait! When I picked them up from the post office this morning, I walked out, ripped open the box and changed my shoes in the street. (Oh yes, I did.)
