Take a few minutes...

My husband works with autistic kids, they are very dear to him. The video was great. I am going to check out the book. None of my kids are autistic, but would love to read the story. My husband would probably love to read it to..I'll have to pass this along. THANKS!

Thankyou Ali.Thankyou.

Interesting, heartbreaking video... but something struck me. Where are the dads? I would so want to hear the dads' perspectives.

ali - thanks so much for sharing. i'm not sure why but i find myself wanting to learn more every time i read your posts. watching this video makes your previous post about "not peeing on the frogs and simon and his lil friend at the pizza shop" all the more meaningful. tomorrow i am going to buy this book you recommended.
hugs, d

Breaks my heart...thanks for sharing so we can all better understand!!

love your "message" post....YOUR message is AWESOME!!!!!!! I find myself running those same messages through my head....very important to think about the message(s) I want Dean to have running through his head....long way to say THANKS!

wow. Thanks for sharing that Ali, opens our eyes and hearts. Lots of love..
jenn

Hey Ali
I'm an Occupational Therapist who works with autistic children every week, I know how hard it can be but also how much joy you get in every little step - it's all about the steps you know.... it's so great that you have the chance to open the door to this topic for the people who doesn't know what it is, so the next time they'll come across an autistic child or his parents they will think about this movie and maybe, just maybe, will not judge them or be afraid .... Keep on doing the things you do - it's great!!!

Ali,
Thank you very much for all the insight and education you are sharing with everyone. I have learned so much about Autisim from you and all the links you share.
You are a very amazing woman, mother and wife.

Didn't get a chance to comment yesterday, but just had to tell you how much I loved your post. I blogged about some of those same comments the other day. I like to think if I have a message, it would be encouraging other people to capture and record the little stuff. Just think it's sad that people view it as some kind of pretention and gap between "magazine scrappers" and "normal scrappers" when what's in the mags is intended to inspire everyone. See you here in a few days :)

Thanks Ali for continuing to share so much wonderful information. It helps me to feel like I am not in this alone. I will definitely be reading the book.
You are awesome!
Sally

Have you had a chance to look at Seeing Past Z? That's Beth Kephart's follow up to this book. Just awesome. Rocked my world, completely.

Thnx!

Ali,
Thank you!! Thank you for getting the word out and educating!
Sarah

Wow, that touched me on so many levels! I have SO many of those same feeling and issues. Thank you for sharing. I will post it on my autism blog as well www.stumblingtowardsnormal.blogspot.com

ok you got me crying again! Looking at this made me feel so thankfull with my life even though I recognize a lot in it. I am also proud on what we have done so far for Anthony. The relationship part is also so true, you need to keep talking on how you feel and how this is infecting our lifes. THANK YOU, you sweet woman!
corinnexxx

Ali,
You have been given an incredible opportunity. What a venue to share info with folks who haven't had the chance to meet individuals with autism! I am a former special ed teacher and now homeschool our 4 children: one of whom is a 6 year old boy on the spectrum. Your audience is a group of women with and without a knowledge of autism and through you (and Simon) they gain information and compassion of the unknown.
Thanks for the video link. I guess I needed to cry today afterall.
job very well done.
Sarah in Olympia, WA

Thank you for that link. I heard about the video from another mom at Alex's schoool. I could to relate to so much of it, our little guys work so hard just to "be". Hugs to all the other moms our there that could see some of themselves in that video too.

wow. thanks for sharing Ali. very powerful!

What an awesome video. Truly helps those of us on the "outside" to understand what a challenge it is -- and why we need to find a solution NOW.
xoxox
Lain

Hello Ali,
I have been a fan of your fabulous "life art" and a reader/lurker for some time, but your inspirational posts the last several days have led me to comment for the first time. I am so moved at your amazing perspective on life, art and raising your son. He is so lucky that someone like you (and your husband) "have his back." Thanks for your continued inspiration.

Ali--Thank you. You are such a brave, brave, amazing, inspiration. I'm so greatful to come here every day--to read about your art, your creating and about autism. I am learning so much because of you, and I'm profoundly greatful.

Hi Ali..
Thanks so much for sharing your story. As a teacher of kids with autism, it gives me a different perspective...one that my "parents" are going through versus my teacher aspect. Thanks. I also love that book...read it years ago when I first started teaching. Powerful.

Oh Ali...thank you for sharing this video with us. My son, Porter, is almost 2 years old and just had some Speech Therapy (past 5 months for oral motor feeding). He was diagnosed with FTT (Failure to Thrive) then came Disacharide Deficiency after many, many tests for months. They still have no concrete diagnosis with him....yet. His GI doctor even said he thinks Porter could very well have a syndrome all of his own.
Now...comes the other therapies (OT/PT) along with diagnosis from them and expert opinions. Today the intake worker mentioned special education and how Porter can qualify...my heart stopped for a moment. It never hit me that he'd need that...kwim?
I worked in the developmental disabilities field for years, so I understood her...I just never thought I'd hear it for my own child. I am a bit nervous. He shows a few 'signs' of different behaviors, but overall he is learning and slowly growing, and he is basically a happy child...so I just give him love and support and wait to see what the experts say.
I just really felt for these women on the video. My life since Porter has been born has been mainly focused on him....and I have 3 other children at home (18, 8 and almost 5)and a lost 21 year old daughter to drugs. Life has not been a bag of donuts...but it's our life and we're blessed to have what and who we have in it.
Sending warm hugs, understanding, and love to you, Chris, and Simon.....and the many other families who struggle daily with children with special needs. Thanks for always keeping us aware and in tune.
Hugs-Peg Graham and family

amazing, unbelievable, i am so thankful that you have brought this information, this video to my attention. i am sending this link to my mom's group. i think this is something everyone needs to see, b/c, unfortunately, there is so much misunderstood. so much disconnect and misinformation. that's gotta change & i think these moms & their stories can be a little (& powerful, & strong & beautiful!!)bridge over the gap.