My husband, Chip, and I have two adult children, Hayley (26) and Evan (22). Evan has autism and other co-morbid conditions. At age 19, he graduated high school Cum Laude with an OCS diploma. According to Evanās former case manager, an older sibling can be the best therapist. Not to discount professional intervention, but in…
Why Do I Get Overwhelmed in New Places?
When I go somewhere new, I am not comfortable. I am very guarded. There are a lot of things that could threaten me. I am not aware of this fear. I am not able to respond to you as I can at home. I am not the person you know when I walk into the…
Finding My Purpose in Teaching Youth on the Spectrum
As a person with high-functioning autism, I have been blessed with the amazing opportunity to work with youth on the spectrum. I have worked for about 20 years as a teacher, if my volunteer teaching is included. I have worked as a regular education teacher in high schools, as a community college instructor for filmmaking,…
What Itās Like to Have a Severe Autism Meltdown
One of the biggest fears a person can have is loss of control of self. The other is fear of the unknown. For many with autism, the unknown can trigger a loss of control. One great fear leads to another. There are many sources out there that will tell you why we do what we…
On the Road to Interdependence
Merriam-Webster defines independence as the quality or state of being independent, or competence. Other words used to express independence include self-support, self-subsistence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and finally, self-dependence. How many times have you heard or said the word āindependentlyā or used any of these synonyms when discussing goals, measuring growth, or contemplating the future as it…
Guardianship: Confessions of a Mother
I laugh now, but at the time it was terribly traumatic. My son, Daniel, was days away from turning age 18. Guardianship! The issue was here; there was no more time ā or so I thought. My husband and I had known for quite some time that our youngest son, diagnosed with autism, would need…
WNC Run/Walk for Autism is Chance to Share Their Story
Wyatt Ogden was not diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder until he was 7 years old. He had been referred for an autism evaluation by his preschool when he was 3, but he was high-functioning, and his parents did not want to limit him with a label. But Wyatt had some challenges in elementary school, and…