March 2010 - The Joy of Autism - The Network of Care

Mind-Body Problem

When I think of my youth I feel sorry not for myself but for my body. It was so direct and simple, so rational in its desires wanting to be touched the way an otter loves water, the way a giraffe wants to amble the edge of the forest, nuzzling the tender...

Published Tue, Mar 30 2010 5:46 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Acceptance, To Get To The Other Side, Poetry

The Happiness Industry And It’s Adverse Effects On Parents

“Smile and the world smiles with you,” said many people to me growing up, “frown and you will frown alone.” There is something rather plasticized about that comment, something that puts undo pressure on us to be happy, and in seeking happiness, we can...

Published Sun, Mar 28 2010 11:14 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Acceptance

Remembering The Reason

I decided to post this after seeing it again for the first time in three years. It was a lecture I gave at M.I.T. Sometimes its good to remember why we started something, measure how far we’ve come, and plan what still needs to be done. Seven thousand...

Published Wed, Mar 24 2010 9:25 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Activism, Art, Acceptance, autism

Spring

What is it about spring that makes us want to throw off our shoes and dance in the grass, okay, even if it’s a little wet. In our new home, unlike our former home, the children are out and about in this neighbourhood and it reminds me of my own...

Published Wed, Mar 24 2010 1:53 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: To Get To The Other Side

Promoting A Friend

My dear friend Carla Lipkin, fine artist, has a shiny new website I’d like to help promote. I’ve commissioned Carla for several pieces but this one was one of the most special, as it consists of six months of quotes and words I had written...

Published Tue, Mar 23 2010 10:56 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Uncategorized

A Letter from Lewis Carroll

On Saturday I saw the adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland in an attempt to catch up on all of those wonderful movies out there. I wrote about Carroll and his autism here. I have come home to receive a “love letter” from...

Published Mon, Mar 22 2010 2:19 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: To Get To The Other Side, The Joy Of Autism

Another Bloom’n Birthday

Adam and I have birthdays fairly close together. It’s my birthday today and Adam and I spent the entire weekend celebrating. Our first excursion was to Canada Blooms at Toronto’s Exhibition Place. We spent about an hour-and-a-half strolling...

Published Mon, Mar 22 2010 6:56 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Adam, Single Parenthood, To Get To The Other Side

Autism Levity

Heck we need to laugh. Or at least I do. In fact, I think most autism parents needs to laugh as do autistic people about autism. I was with my friend from the National charity Unity for Autism today, Kathy Deschenes who, like me, completely volunteers...

Published Thu, Mar 18 2010 9:45 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: autism, Humour

Assistive Devices for Autism

While Slade is using the Dynavox in this video, I have to attest as we prepare for Adam’s new device (which will not be the Dynavox but a similar device) that this can really change your child’s life. I am so excited that we are entering this...

Published Wed, Mar 17 2010 7:26 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: communication, Advocacy

Break Time?

I was taking a forced break this week. I contracted that nasty stomach flu last Friday and today is the first day I’m feeling better. It’ll knock you down off your feet if you get it. I realized too that it was a forced break and how I push...

Published Fri, Mar 12 2010 7:19 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Adam, Acceptance, autism, Transitions

Love Goes Deeper

Eustacia Cutler is the mother of Temple Grandin. With the recent HBO program lately on her, I returned to Eustacia’s book, A Thorn In My Pocket: Temple Grandin’s Mother Tells The Family Story. It’s not all that easy to read in this day...

Published Mon, Mar 08 2010 5:22 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Adam, Acceptance, communication

The Process: More Important Than The Prize

In part, this blog was to discuss the process of writing a book and of writing itself. Many people like to think that the end result is easy. Most writers know this is not so. While I’m not a new writer, I’ve not yet written a book. Much like...

Published Mon, Mar 08 2010 6:02 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Writing, Acceptance

It’s Just That Simple

I love this video. It’s just that simple. “You get rid of the autism gene and you get rid of Mozart, Einstein, Silicon Valley…” I love how Temple advocates and it’s this kind of advocacy that assists us in putting ourselves...

Published Tue, Mar 02 2010 6:36 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Autism and Learning, Autism and Intelligence, Acceptance, Contributions to Society, Advocacy

It’s Always Darkest Before The Dawn

Now I know first hand what it’s like to feel dark inside — when my child is disorganized and appears to be in pain and cannot tell me. These are the toughest moments when a parent feels helpless. Also frustrating are schools that claim they...

Published Mon, Mar 01 2010 9:50 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Activism, Autism and The Media, Inclusion, Single Parenthood, Discrimination, Acceptance, Advocacy

March 2010 - The Joy of Autism

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