Something To Ponder.....

I recieved this today and boy-its the truth...

April is Autism Awareness month. Instead of discussing the "deficits"
challenging people on the autism spectrum, here are a few advantageous traits! For every
down side to autism, there seems to be a positive -- an unusual trait that rarely
appears among the "typical" community, but shines out among autistic folk. These plusses
are well worth celebrating.

1. People on the Autism Spectrum rarely lie.
We all claim to value the truth, but almost all of us tell little white lies. All, that is, except people on the autism spectrum. To them, truth is truth -- and a good word from a person on the spectrum is the real deal.

2. People on the Autism Spectrum live in the moment.
People w/ASD truly attend to the sensory input that surrounds them.
Many have achieved the ideal of mindfulness.

3. People with Autism rarely judge others.
Who's richer? Smarter? For people w/ASD, these distinctions hold less
importance than for typical folks. In fact, people on the spectrum often see through
such surface appearances to discover the real person.

4. People on the Autism Spectrum have fewer hidden agendas.
Most of the time, if a person w/ASD tells you what he wants -- he is
telling you what he wants. No need to beat around the bush, second guess, and hope you're
reading between the lines!

5. People with Autism are not tied to social expectations.
If you've ever bought a car, played a game or joined a club to fit in,
you know how hard it is to be true to yourself. But for people with autism, social
expectations can be honestly irrelevant. What matters is true liking, interest and passion.

6. People with Autism have terrific memories.
How often do typical people forget directions, or fail to take note of
other details? People on the autism spectrum are often much more tuned in to details. They may have a much better memory than their typical peers for all kind of critical
details.

7. People with Autism are less materialistic.
Of course, this is not universally true -- but in general, people with
autism are far less concerned with outward appearance than their typical peers.

8. People with Autism play fewer head games.
Most autistic people don't play "mind" games -- and they assume that
you won't either.
It's a refreshing and wonderful change from the Peyton Place emotional
roller coaster that mars too many typical relationships!

9. People with Autism open new doors for neurotypicals.
For many neurotypicals, having an autistic person in our lives has had
a profound impact on our perceptions and expecations.

10. People with Autism are passionate.
Of course, not all autistic people are alike. But many are truely
passionate about the things, ideas and people in their lives. How many "typical" people can
say the same?

Top Ten List created by: Lisa Jo Rudy


I am also reading a Nuturing book abt parenting and Im relearning alot of tips I knew once, but have somehow forgotten. The book is great it talks about parenting by natures way-taking aspects of how animals and things in nature parent and act and relating it to how we need to parent our kids or how we need to remember NOT to act. The book is called The Book of Nurturing. Chapter 2 deals with sea crabs.

Did you know that if you put a crab into a bucket it will eventually crawl out, but if you put more than one in there they will claw at the other, they both will, and neither one of them will ever crawl out as they pull each other down instead of build on each other and help each other get out. Weird- eh? They will continue to do this and never get out.

"What we learn from the crabs:

Crabs have an instinct to pull one another down
rather than boost one another up.
This reactionary tendancy prevents any crab
from climbing very high.
In our family, when we criticize
and put one another down,
we're being like the crabs.
Lets remember to boost one another up
and give one another compliments and praise.
Lets remind one another and always
try to remember not to be like the crabs."
------------------Linda and Richard Eyre

Stinger has been having some tough days lately..........really tough......but Im going to try something-Ive tried it in the past, but Im REALLY going to see if I can improve things by giving compliments and praise instead of always nit picking and condeming. Im going to go over Stingers tracker everyday and only talk abt what he did good that day. Im going to watch him closely and praise him when he is playing nice with Flamingo and Monkey Boy. Im going to tell him good job when he coperates in the morning and gets dressed. Im going to praise when he at least tries a food at dinner time. Im going to watch for him making good choices all day and give those things my attention . I think I have gotten into the rut of watching for all the behaviors I dont like and I have been pulling him down with this.....Ill keep ya posted how this goes.