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A brochure, where parents can talk to counselors and even lead a support group. It also provides a live chat if needed.

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A lovely site, where moms can get together and talk about how to help and make a difference for their children's lives.

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Parenting any child is challenging, but the joys and feelings that come with parenting a child with special needs are unique. All children are special in their own way, but a child with autism...

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A site, where parents can find different outlets that might help them deal with the daily problems they face. For example, how to deal with bullying in school.

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A fantastic blog, that deals with the struggle that parents might have with children with disabilities through the pandemic. .

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(AKA: Quarantine Diaries - Part 21)

As you may or may not know, DC LOVES Halloween. He looks forward to Halloween just as much as he looks forward to Christmas.

We really don't know what Halloween will look like this year but I better think of something because DC is READY! I don't know if he can face another cancelled activity or disappointment this year.

The thought of Halloween did not kick in as early as it usually does with him, but once it did, it was all I heard about.

It was hard not being able to give him any answers. I could tell him that there probably wouldn't be the many parties that he is used to attending, but other than that - I could not say what would happen on Halloween night.

I did try to prepare him for not being able to trick or treat - just in case.

But we also needed to find some other Halloween themed activities because IT was October and October is all about Halloween from beginning to end.

As it turned out, we were able to find a few Halloween activities that were outdoors and/or drive through.

(Warning: We have come to the potion of the program where you are forced to look at my Halloween photos... You knew it was coming.)

We made our pumpkin purchases. DC loved the pumpkins with the warts. I did too.

Pumpkin Town: This was a drive through and it was really cute. Perfect set-up for a pandemic, but I think it is something we will do even after all of this is over (whenever that may be). DC especially loved the big pumpkin in the middle of "town", which of course reminded him of Halloween Town. (Disney).

DBD Day: DC, Doug, BB and Doug's friend went out for "Boys Day Out" (which has been renamed Doug, BB and DC's <DBD> Day, but since there was another attendee, we stuck with the old name this time) at the corm maze. Masks were worn and dining was outdoors.
Camp Party:
Around 8pm the night before the party, I received a call from the camp director asking if I was home.

"We're in your driveway"

The director and assistant director came to deliver a pumpkin, paint and other goodies for the party the next day! DC was totally excited to see them at our door! These people drove around delivering supplies to all of the campers that RSVP'd! Amazing!

Now... maybe I should have known this, but I "attended" the last board meeting via phone (I have not been to a board meeting any other way since the pandemic began, because I don't want to bring DC to an indoor meeting). I was listening to the meeting via Doug's phone and all of a sudden, I could not hear anything. I kept yelling "Hello" but there was nothing. Thinking he had lost the connection, I called back. I could hear for awhile and then nothing again. More yelling and nothing. I called back a third time and Doug said "Why don't you just forget it. I'll let you know what happens." So I thought he was just having a hard time with his phone out at camp. Later, he told me that he could hear DC making noise in the background so he muted his phone (apparently he does not understand that when he mutes HIS phone, he is muting things on his end, not mine and he would not believe me when I tried to explain this to him). So he is muting his phone and because I can't hear anything - I am yelling "Hello, Hello". He can't figure out why his mute isn't working so he kept hanging up on me! If he had told me that he could hear DC, I would have muted MY phone and that would have worked out perfectly. I honestly did not think DC was being loud at all. Someone other then me needs to explain this to him.
DC only chose two costumes this year because we knew most of the other parties he normally attends would probably be cancelled.

He chose the Genie from the new Aladdin.

So when we bought the costume, he did not want a blue face. Today, an hour before the online party, he decides he wants a blue face. I always buy powder eyeshadow for Halloween face colors (I don't wear eyeshadow so it's not like I have any hanging around - just what's in the Halloween makeup box) and I was only able to find a container with just a little bit left. It's hardly a blue face but it will have to do.

There was pumpkin painting and movie watching and music. DC broke into dance at one point. They had a fantastic time.

Salem: We haven't been to Salem in years. Fortunately we have been so many times that we did not miss going to the regular museums or stores. It was nice just to be there - to eat outdoors, visit a few outdoor places and visit DC's once favorite bookstore (due to the pandemic, we had to make an appointment and only so many people could go in at one time - that was fine with me).

Note: The crowds you see in two of these photos were people waiting to get into stores. We did not have to walk through them. There was plenty of space for distancing on the right of these sections.

ARC Drive-Up: The ARC that DC attends many activities with during a regular year, scheduled a drive-up hot chocolate and goodie bag event,

Just something quick for all of these people who have not been to an activity since March.

Happy Haunted Hollow: Another drive-through event (which I believe is an annual thing, but usually a walk through).

Mrs. H stopped by today to drop of Halloween treats for DC. He was so happy to be able to see her today (he hasn't seen her since March, when the world closed down). He was also happy for the treats. Last week his Aunt Lisa dropped off a Halloween bag of treats, including a new package of fake mustaches. Then we have the multiple band-aide packages that came in for him from my friend Amy in GA. (You know how Amazon takes one order and ships it in many boxes on many different days? - Well that shipping technique worked out just fine with DC). I am thankful for the people who understand just how important Halloween is to this boy and helped to make it a little more special for him this year. 10-30-2020

Best Buddies Virtual Friendship Walk:
Doug stepped in to replace his buddy/friends since walking with me is boring. #BestBuddies #Virtual #Friendshipwalk #SPN

We did not have a new costume for this, so I ventured into my costume closet and was able to put together "Castiel" and "Bobby" (Supernatural) out of other costumes and regular clothes.

The trench coat was from his "Twin Peaks - Agent Dale Cooper" costume from a few years ago. We had the wings because he was going to be the "Teen Angel" to my "Beauty School Drop Out" for a party in the Cape that was cancelled due to the pandemic back in April.

I think the only thing I had to buy was Bobby's beard. I suppose I could have asked Doug not to shave for a few days but, you know me...

My niece commented that Doug's "Bobby" was spot-on. While I take full credit for all costumes (he really doesn't know who he is dressed as. I guess all of those Supernatural conventions did not stick) I thought he also looked like the creepy lumberjack version of Dexter.

Halloween Night:

On Halloween morning, we still did not know what we were doing Halloween night. Much of the town had announced earlier in the month that they would be giving out candy, but then the pandemic numbers began to rise and people were beginning to rethink the situation.

I knew I HAD to bring him somewhere in costume. We planned to visit his Grandmother early, before it got dark because I did not want her to have to put her porch light on, since she was not intending on giving out candy this year.

By mid-morning I received a call from Tonya, Salli's mother, who had called around their neighborhood to see if anyone would be out giving candy. She got enough affirmatives to make it worthwhile. Trust me, DC would have been happy with one or two houses, as long as he was able to do it in costume.
Grandma's House:
Knowing that she would not be giving out candy and not wanting her to have to go out and get anything, I told her that I would bring something for her to put in his bag.

Grandma: Oh no! I'll pick up something. I want to.
(My mother would spend all day, every day in Stop and Shop if she was able.)
Me: Okay, but don't get carried away. Really, just a piece of candy to put in his bag.

Grandma: Oh, don't worry.
(Please note the size of the "gift" bags. This is not getting carried away.) Salli's House:
As we were driving home from my mother's at 4:30 - in broad daylight, I noticed a whole lot of people out in their yards with their candy tables and firepits already set up and kids already walking around in costume.

Panicked, I called Tonya because I thought I had missed something. Did they announce that Halloween would begin earlier? Did I miss this announcement? I asked my neighbor who was out with her candy, but she just said she was getting anxious and came out early. I told her that she was not the only one out early.

Fortunately Doug had already arrived to give out candy at my house while we were out. So he got himself set up in the yard with his candy grabber in time for a bunch of kids to come by.

My other neighbor was confused and asked "Don't they usually trick-or-treat when it gets dark?". I didn't have an answer for him, but they got ready to give out candy early as well.

By the time we left for Salli's, we had already gotten more kids than we have had in years (there is no rhyme or reason for the amount of kids or the absence of kids in any given year). Doug did tell me later, that no one else came the rest of the evening.

DC and Salli made the rounds and went enough places for both of them to be happy. We were missing Candi this year because they were dog-sitting out of town, so Halloween was almost normal, but they missed their friend.

I have to say that I liked the earlier hour and the fact that most people were outside giving out their candy.

The Candy: I had already talked to DC about the trick-or-treat candy. I bought candy for him to have when he got home. There was enough in number and of an assortment to keep him happy on Halloween night.

I told him that we would put his trick-or-treat candy away for about a week (because of "the sickness"). I was not wiping down all those pieces of candy.

He was fine with that.

We came home.

He had some pizza.

He had some candy.

He was fine.

Not a bad Halloween after all.

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As you may or may not know, DC LOVES Halloween. He looks forward to Halloween just as much as he looks forward to Christmas. We really don't know what Halloween will look like this year but I better think of something because DC is READY!

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A great website, where parents can help each other deal with the stress and anxiety of having a child with disabilities. There is also tips and ideas on how to help children with disabilities.

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Embracing Imperfect is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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Embracing Imperfect - Helping Moms Raise Kids With Special Needs

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Embracing Imperfect is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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A very informal site, where parents can find different types of benefits and rights their child is able to receive.

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You're trying to meet a lifetime of needs.

Your situation is unique. Our Special Needs law attorneys take everything into account.

Our association only accepts attorneys with a long track record in the area and high ethical standards in special needs law.

Count on us to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones.

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You're trying to meet a lifetime of needs. Your situation is unique. Our Special Needs law attorneys take everything into account. Our association only accepts attorneys with a long track record in the area and high ethical standards in special needs law. Count on us to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones.

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A beautiful website, where parents can find support and build relationships.

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Eight Years Out

Last Friday night our son got home late from

The question, “Am I going to die?”

Yesterday my daughter’s achy body, cough, and chest hurting

Julia Roberts /   16 Jan 2018

World Suicide Prevention Day and The Future

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255  Hours: 24 hours, 7

Julia Roberts /   10 Sep 2017

Season of Change

The end of July doesn’t mark the end

The Monster We All Feed

There’s a thing no one wants to talk

Father’s Day snapshot

I never quite know what to say on

Productive

I write so much about transitions for my

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for parents with kids who have special needs

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A great place where parents can get support from other parents who also have children with disabilities.

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grassroots support for parents of kids with special needs

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This website is meant for parents connecting with each other. You can sign up to have a mentor in your life, or even become a mentor.

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Wolf+Friends is the award-winning community network that brings parents + providers together on one social platform so families can make informed decisions about their children's education, health, wellness + future.

Founded and run by special needs parents and therapists, we have built the most comprehensive online community for parents of children with disabilities and delays.

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Wolf+Friends is the award-winning community network that brings parents + providers together on one social platform so families can make informed decisions about their children's education, health, wellness + future. Founded and run by special needs parents and therapists, we have built the most comprehensive online community for parents of children with disabilities and delays.

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This blog is for parents that have children with Autism. It is great to hear stories from other parents who are also going through the same thing.

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I think it's safe to say we all came up with new coping skills in order to maintain our sanity during lockdown. Kiddo is no exception. As the world has started to reopen, I have seen there are a lot of skills that he previous had that have gotten rusty. Like eating out. Oy vey, he went from a kid that would gladly eat out for every meal of the day to one that is like "We can't get this to go so I can eat fries in my pajama bottoms like the good Lord intended?" We're working on it though because my husband and myself very much like NOT COOKING and we are slowly seeing progress with that again.

But man we have hit a wall hard with Sundays. All the sudden we have seen Kiddo become extremely fixated on Sundays. I have always joked that you better have a plan for the weekends or he'll make one for you and it will most certainly be expensive. While that still stands for Saturday, Sunday has become a routine around the house that is NOT to be messed with.

And as routines go, it's not really disruptive or outrageous. It centers around that the mail isn't delivered on Sundays. Which as you can imagine is a bit of an odd thing to fixate on when you are a kid that doesn't pay bills. So why the focus on it? Well, maybe it's the fact that it comes all the other days of the week. Even during the peek of COVID, he could count on the truck rolling down the street. We also made it one of his jobs to go out and get it, which again, lockdown. Other than walking the dogs, it was one of his few outings he could count on.

In turn he started to hyper fixate on what WOULD happen instead. What he could control because despite his campaigning, I was not able to get a part of the Federal Government to make the mail come on a Sunday. (I know, I know. It's like I didn't try.)

So it became about certain CD's that he would listen to at certain times throughout the day. (Yes, CD's. Yes, we have an Alexa and all the streaming stuff you could want. He still loves CD's. #BecauseAutism) Followed by certain movies he "script watches". What's that you say? Okay, have you ever been to a Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight? It's kind of like that but with less garter belts and slices of toast flying through the air. (If you have never been to a midnight showing of Rocky, I urge you to correct that situation.) He will utter every line in the flick and reenact every scene right in front of the TV. It's actually quite impressive and highly entertaining. Then there are certain books to read, games to play, etc...

In a lot of ways, this is good. He keeps himself busy. It clearly soothes him. It's a day off from school and therapies. He should spend it doing the things that he likes.

But in other ways, it's hard because he now refuses to leave the house on a Sunday and like it or not, sometimes we have stuff to do. Plus, I cannot leave him home alone to do these things like a parent could of a typical seventeen year old. We try our best to accommodate and it's clear he very much NEEDS this routine right now. Like all things with autism, I have learned to just go with it. It will pass but it's sometimes very hard to watch your child struggle.

Just this morning my husband offered a trip to the beach for Kiddo and the look of sheer panic that went across of his face broke my heart. We tried to show him where he could fit it into the schedule but we realized quickly it was not going to be pretty if we attempted to this outing. On any other day he would be the first one running to put on his swimsuit and grabbing a towel to go. My husband and I were then stuck in the grey area of knowing he doesn't want to change the schedule but he also loves that outing. I could see Kiddo start to sweat. I knew immediately this would result in a meltdown. He just didn't know how to communicate to us "I want to go but not today."

And this is where it gets tricky because I don't want him to think we are taking away this thing that he loves because he just doesn't want to do at the moment. Thhen he will fixate and meltdown over it. I have to show him it's okay to say "No thanks!" I talked him through it. He quickly latched on to "Beach is finished!" despite not having gone to it at all. Whatever, it somehow calmed him and kept him from melting down. Although I suspect the use of his emergency anti anxiety medication that I wound having to give him helped too.

He is currently hiding in his room as I type this. Very much avoiding us. I am sad that just offering something that should be fun stresses him out so badly. I am worried that for many Sundays to come he will bring up "Beachgate". (How dare we?). I feel bad that my husband just wanted to do a fun thing for Kiddo that in the past he would be very happy to do. The fact that someday he may just decide "I'm not doing this routine anymore" just kind of kills me because that's usually how stuff like this goes. He just decides he's done with it and we'll have to learn as we go whatever it is next he does to self soothe.

I know this is the aftermath of COVID lockdown. Never did I ever imagine that I would have to give my son his anti anxiety meds because of a beach trip suggestion but here I am on a Sunday morning listening to him sing "Thomas' Winter Wonderland" at the top of his lungs because apparently it's the time of the day we do that now.

Flashback to a day at a beach. Clearly not a Sunday where one must sing the entire Glee catalog.

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I think it's safe to say we all came up with new coping skills in order to maintain our sanity during lockdown. Kiddo is no exception. As the world has started to reopen, I have seen there are a lot of skills that he previous had that have gotten rusty.

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This is a website, that gives parents the opportunity to connect to other support parents. This is for parents who might be feeling overwhelmed and need help.

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Connect With Parent to Parent Near You for Support - Support for Parents of Children with Disabilities

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View this page in Spanish | Ver esta página en español Get Support NowFind Parent to Parent near you! "Support parents play an very important role in the lives of parents of children with special needs. In moments of stress or when having specific questions about your child health, development and needs in general, no one better to answer your ...