tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:35:06 +0000autismAsperger's Syndromespecial educationautism familiescommunication disordersfamily lifeadolescenceparentingautism blogginganxietychangedisabilitypsychotropic medicationssummersummer activitiesASDNYC lifearteducational testingfriendshipgrowing uppsychological testingself-advocacyvacationsHudson RiverNew York CityOccupy Wall Streetaffectart educationautism interventionsbloggingconformitydelightdementiadiagnosisdisability activismhippotherapymedia analysissocial skillsspeech-language therapytravelAlzheimer'sBrooklynHurricane SandyPaxilPokémonSSRIsSocial Securityairlinesbehaviorbirthdayscollegecommunitydisasterentertainmentexpectationsextended familyfairytalesholiday celebrationshopehorseback ridingkayakinglanguage pragmaticslanguage-based learning disabiltiiesmiddle schoolparent advocatespetsphobiasreadings in NYCstandardized testingsurprisesswimmingtechnology educationteenagerstranslational science#bh11ABAAutism Awareness MonthBlogHer11Blue AngelsBrain EngineeringCathy N. DavidsonCho Seung-HuiChristmasEasterGrimm's fairytalesHarry PotterHello KittyHunter CollegeIntrepidIntrepid Air and Space MuseumMOM-NOSMemorial DayNYPLNational Autism AssociationNew Years resolutionNow You See ItOWSOprahPDD-NOSPTSDRupert IssacsonSan DiegoSara AhmedSupreme courtTech Kids UnlimitedTemple GrandinThe Horse BoyWellsphereart therapyautism treatmentsbelievingblogspot faildata visualizationdesigneconomic inequalityeducational reformepigeneticsfear of the futurefictionfield tripsflexibilitygeneticsgiftsgirl's athleticsgood timeshealth insurancehistoryimaginationinclusioninsurancelegal precedentslife after schoolliteral livesmemorymilitary familiesmiraclesmotivationneurolepticsobesityparental anxietyparenting advicepedagogyplanningplay datespre-teenpresentsprivacyprogressprotest movementspubertyreadingrunningsafetyschool placementsseasonal affective disordersemantic websensory integrationspecial education lawspecial eventsspring feverstrategiesthank youtransition planningtreatswage inequalityweddingslife • love • learning <br> with our girl at the edges of the autism spectrumhttp://autismsedges.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)Blogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-5801981647066646203Sat, 02 Apr 2016 20:26:00 +00002016-04-08T11:13:25.008-04:00Alzheimer'sautism familiesdementiaMy mother is dying. &nbsp;She's dying the long death of being 90 and having been the recipient of many of the interventions that our modern medical-industrial complex afford us. She (or rather, her doctors) outfoxed lung cancer in 1983. Last month mom and the medical folks cheated death again when the hospital where she'd been admitted found a way to treat her antibiotic-resistant pneumonia. http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2016/04/in-praise-of-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Autism's Edges)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-933729013896950237Sun, 15 Nov 2015 16:04:00 +00002016-04-02T19:14:03.541-04:00adolescencebirthdaysgrowing upOn Friday our girl turned 18. Her deepest wish for the occasion was to have a family movie night with her father and I where we'd watch Frozen and eat Caravel ice cream cake. So that is what we did. She was thrilled, ecstatic, beside herself. Her father and I each restrained ourselves for two hours from checking our email and Facebook feeds to check on friends and family in Paris. There is http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2015/11/on-turning-eighteen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Autism's Edges)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-8848301009162374737Tue, 10 Nov 2015 17:32:00 +00002015-11-10T12:32:43.973-05:00adolescencecollegeparenting adviceSocial Securitytransition planning"Aim low," advised MOM-NOS. Years ago this wise autism mom described the perils of having one's child described as "high functioning" and the risks of being shortchanged on the supports and services that can make his or her so-called high-functioning possible. I've kept MOM-NOS's advice in mind over these years as we've tried to navigate a path for our girl that neither underestimates her http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2015/11/on-aiming-low.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Autism's Edges)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-3117083941754094833Sat, 18 Jul 2015 15:21:00 +00002015-07-18T19:06:41.972-04:00autismcollegeself-advocacyTo the Woman Who Rolled Her Eyes When My Daughter Asked a Tour Guide If She Would Speak More Slowly: You know who you are. You're the one on the college tour with your handsome son and tall husband. You're the one with the perfect salon-blonde hair, the Louis Vuitton shoulder tote, and the 1.5 carat heart-shaped diamond earrings. I saw you. I took you in. I thought about you for so much longer http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2015/07/to-woman-who-rolled-her-eyes-when-my.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Autism's Edges)19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-7060617357698086866Sat, 16 May 2015 03:35:00 +00002015-05-15T23:50:21.628-04:00airlinesautismautism familiesfamily lifetravelvacations Reading the comments on the New York Times online in response to the distressing story of United Airlines re-routing a plane to remove a family traveling with an autistic teen from a domestic flight has left me with post-traumatic airlines syndrome. We've had our share of airline and airport meltdowns, and the comments on this Times article have left me with flashbacks of the judgmental http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-unfriendly-skies-or-post-traumatic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Autism's Edges)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-3243970518100903792Tue, 06 Jan 2015 01:59:00 +00002015-05-15T23:52:14.888-04:00adolescenceaffectartautismautism familiescommunication disordersdelightdementiafamily lifefriendshipHello Kitty We were looking for something special to do in LA that would give our girl a break from the challenges of Dementiaville (aka helping take care of grandma). Of course our girl Sweet M would always go for Disneyland. But the Magic Kingdom with holiday crowds and a new and&nbsp;not-so-great disability access program&nbsp;didn't sound too magical to me. Where would we find our magic? Turns http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2015/01/hello-kitty-magic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Autism's Edges)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-1403288405458905093Sun, 04 Jan 2015 21:14:00 +00002015-01-04T16:14:50.415-05:00adolescenceAlzheimer'sautism bloggingautism familiesdementiadisability activismextended familyparentingstandardized testingActually it's more than a year that we've been barely blogging. When last I posted, dear readers -- if any of you are still out there reading — I promised so very much more than I could deliver. I promised I'd write about how our girl's dad helped her increase her Regents* exam score by 22 points.&nbsp;I promised I'd write about her fledging friendship and her trip with her class to the Grand http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2015/01/our-year-of-barely-blogging.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Autism's Edges)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-5320034783985072806Mon, 21 Apr 2014 20:03:00 +00002014-04-21T16:03:00.921-04:00New York CityNYC lifeThere's no doubt that we've been mighty silent over here at Autism's Edges. We've reported nothing, and missed most of our friends in the autism world. Some noticed and checked in, and we let them know privately what was going on. Then last month MamaGenius reached out on Twitter and asked where we'd gone: We've been fighting a massive luxury condo development in our formerly quiet http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2014/04/our-home-at-autisms-edges.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-3810920355903928238Sun, 18 Aug 2013 18:40:00 +00002013-08-19T01:01:19.225-04:00 photo credit: wikimedia.org We decamped from the New York City heat to visit with my family in Los Angeles. On our girl's list of things she wanted to do in LA were: Disneyland. A waterpark (preferably Six Flags). And Rodeo Drive. Yes, Rodeo Drive. I'm not sure where she got the idea that Rodeo Drive was worth seeing – we've never been exactly a label-obsessed family (unless Hanna http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2013/08/autisms-edges-visits-lap-of-luxury.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-2018022271204093837Wed, 10 Jul 2013 19:35:00 +00002013-07-10T15:42:58.812-04:00adolescenceconformityeducational testingstandardized testing Please review the illustration below and answer the question that follows.&nbsp; Question from New York State Regents Sample Earth Science Exam, January 24, 2013. Now pretend that your future college and employment options depend on your ability to answer said question (and 84 others like it). And while you're at it, pretend that you are 14- or 15-years-old. And that you have an http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2013/07/modern-rites-of-passage-or-reflections.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-1810621187741335479Fri, 21 Jun 2013 22:20:00 +00002013-06-21T18:20:55.532-04:00adolescenceconformitydelightexpectationsfamily lifefriendshipparentingThree weeks back our girl asked me if we could go to the new My Little Pony movie. At a theatre. Despite crowds. Despite popcorn smells. She wanted, quite passionately, to see My Little Pony: Equestria Girls&nbsp;on the weekend of its premiere. It would be hard for me to explain how unusual this is. Let's just say that I can't recall the last time we've gone to a movie theater. Possibly http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2013/06/friendship-movie-magic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-1209360004193267390Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:20:00 +00002015-12-02T21:22:45.873-05:00 Today was Diversity Day at our girl's school. Each family was supposed to send in a food from their cultural heritage. &nbsp;To be honest, I had forgotten that it was Diversity Day. I've had a lot on my mind. &nbsp; Still, I figured, no problem – she and her dad can just pick up some croissants at the new fancy French patisserie around the corner in our increasingly hyper-gentrified http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-watermelon-problem-or-just-another.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-8788097791537134215Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:49:00 +00002013-04-01T18:51:09.180-04:00Autism Awareness Monthautism familiesdisability activism I went to the hardware store around the corner from the playground to buy a blue light bulb. It's April, so it's autism awareness month. Even though we're more an autism acceptance family than an autism awareness family, I figured I'd get with the program and light something up blue. I was hoping for one of those old-fashioned, normal looking light bulbs. But they didn't have any of those.http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2013/04/no-normal-blue-light-bulbs-could-be.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-7174503311901915938Sun, 09 Dec 2012 23:45:00 +00002012-12-09T18:45:38.181-05:00 If your family is struggling in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, please note that AutismCares is providing grants to help financially disadvantaged families to cover costs associated with unplanned expenses that have arisen during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Families can apply online to be considered for assistance at www.autismcares.org. Once you set up a login, be sure to select the http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/12/in-wake-of-sandy-autismcares-grants-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-7741393539181063831Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:30:00 +00002012-11-23T11:38:00.358-05:00believingChristmasfairytalesholiday celebrationsparenting Yesterday our girl made me cry. &nbsp;In a good way, but cry I did. We were watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on television, and an Army military band came on, she looked up and said, "Wow, Grandpa would love to see that." "Yes," I said, "he would. And if there is a heaven maybe he's looking on and can see it." She was thinking about her grandfather, and what he'd like, even though http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/11/believing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-7285471323205128636Sun, 11 Nov 2012 03:23:00 +00002012-11-17T20:16:27.213-05:00disasterhealth insuranceHurricane SandyinsuranceYou know, things have to be pretty horrible for there to be no benefit to anyone.&nbsp; And even our big wind from Superstorm Sandy did have a couple of good outcomes. Long lines to vote in a neighbor church basement. First and foremost is the possibility that it was Sandy that blew Barack Obama back into office, riding on the wings of the goodwill he spread across the region, where FEMA http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/11/an-ill-wind-that-blows-no-good.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-4001042432796802717Thu, 01 Nov 2012 22:12:00 +00002012-11-01T18:12:33.159-04:00disasterfamily lifeHudson RiverHurricane Sandy We lasted almost three days in our cold, dark apartment. &nbsp;No electricity, of course. &nbsp;No heat, a surprise. &nbsp;And no cell phone service. But last night, after a cold grey day, as the gloaming began, we all started to lose it. &nbsp;Our girl began crying -- I want the power back, I want the power back. &nbsp;I felt like crying, but bucked up. &nbsp;Then I decided we had to leave -http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/11/autisms-edges-meets-rivers-edges.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-8117842312690282586Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:11:00 +00002012-11-23T12:07:00.333-05:00adolescencegrowing upparentingsocial skills Today our girl and I went to the dermatologist. &nbsp;We're working on that ongoing challenge of adolescent acne. &nbsp;But what happened in the waiting room was so unexpected that I just have ask you all about it! I think I saw our girl flirt. &nbsp;Not sure, but it sure looked like it to me. This particular office keeps a small frig with bottled water in the waiting room for patients. &http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/08/jaw-dropping-question_21.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-4825056580717967952Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:11:00 +00002012-08-15T00:05:30.687-04:00NYPLsummersummer activitiesWhile last summer had our girl in fantastic&nbsp;computer and animation workshops, and had us traveling to California and enjoying a kayaking adventure and underwater sites, this year has brought more of a staycation sort of summer. BlogHer2012 was here in New York City so there was no need to head out to San Diego for that. And my academic professional association was in a city I have little http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/08/staycation-crafternoons-courtesy-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-5141927315091357695Sat, 07 Jul 2012 15:39:00 +00002012-07-07T11:39:03.209-04:00Right now, as I write this, our girl and her dad are in the living room. &nbsp;She is reading aloud from a book called Barron's Painless Earth Science. &nbsp;I know, I know, this is not a very summery thing to be doing on the weekend after the 4th of July. &nbsp;Prepping for Regent's exams that she won't take until next June is just about no one's idea of summer fun. But that's what we do. &nbsphttp://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/07/oughtism-revisited.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-8146487826991324737Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:43:00 +00002012-06-17T12:30:54.471-04:00adolescenceASDAsperger's Syndromeautismdisability Note: This is the third of three posts reporting on the&nbsp;Weill Cornell Autism Research Project (WCARP) Autism Symposium 2012&nbsp;held at&nbsp;Weill Cornel Medical College in New York City on Friday, May 11, 2012. Usually I aim to report on events within a week or so, but May and June have been crazy busy with graduations at the college where I teach, summer session intensive classes, and http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/06/growing-up-with-autism-life-transitions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-3021762197681779407Tue, 29 May 2012 22:51:00 +00002012-06-09T11:13:48.080-04:00anxietyASDAsperger's Syndromeautismautism familiesdiagnosisdisability Note: This is the second of three posts reporting on the&nbsp;Weill Cornell Autism Research Project (WCARP) Autism Symposium 2012&nbsp;held at&nbsp;Weill Cornel Medical College in New York City on Friday, May 11, 2012. • &nbsp; • &nbsp; • Anxiety&nbsp;animates autism spectrum disorders, both for autistic persons, and for their familes.&nbsp;For parents of kids on the spectrum a great deal http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/05/growing-up-with-autism-life-transitions_29.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-9134365722612881587Sun, 27 May 2012 00:37:00 +00002012-05-28T23:28:28.938-04:00ASDautismautism interventionsdiagnosisparentingpetsphobiaspsychotropic medicationstranslational scienceGrowing Up With Autism: Life Transitions was the topic of this year's Weill Cornell Autism Research Project Symposium for Families and Professionals. Growing up and facing life transitions&nbsp;is exactly what we've been doing over here at Autism's Edges. Autism Symposium: Basic Science&nbsp;Panel&nbsp; Panelists: Drs. Rajadhyaksha, Casey, Lee,&nbsp;Walkup, and&nbsp;Dr. Barry Kosofsky,who http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/05/growing-up-with-autism-life-transitions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)1407 E 61st St, New York, NY 10065, USA40.7606129 -73.960443240.7591094 -73.9629107 40.7621164 -73.9579757tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-3459518467122237983Sun, 13 May 2012 22:29:00 +00002012-05-13T18:29:57.549-04:00 Mother's Day 2012. http://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/05/happy-mothers-day-one-and-wow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19421951.post-2163492257962556137Sun, 08 Apr 2012 18:16:00 +00002012-12-01T10:43:54.370-05:00affectconformitydiagnosisGrimm's fairytalesSara Ahmed On Tuesday the principal of our girl's school called because our girl has been more anxious than usual of late — she's fallen back into that habit of raising her hand and frantically waving to be called on. &nbsp;She's been irritable and snaps at classmates and teachers. The principal was also calling to&nbsp;talk about the upcoming IEP meeting: about whether we could somehow get the Departmenthttp://autismsedges.blogspot.com/2012/04/willful-child.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (MothersVox)9