Life with autism, continued...

Picture of John provided by Pamela Bryson-Weaver

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Examiner article

Pamela Bryson-Weaver continued the interview.

She talked about how she is able to use her journey to offer help to others.

Pamela explained, “Since children with special needs are close to my heart, I became an author, speaker and activist for these children. I spent my entire professional career working with clients who had special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders. As past president of the Autism Society in New Brunswick, Canada, my activism has allowed me to work with members of Parliament and other parents. Because of our combined efforts, all children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in New Brunswick, Canada, receive $20,000 a year for treatment. I served as the Director of Pee Wee Active Living, formally Junior Special Olympics, a program I began in Hanwell. I also produced and promoted—through Canada’s largest woman’s’ league—a resolution on autism that was presented locally, provincially, and nationally, and was passed nationally in Canada in 2004.”

Pamela’s experience is valuable to others.

She shared, “My experience as a mother, wife and professional in the autism world helped me gain valuable insights into these mysterious disorders. I journaled for twelve years, writing about my journey as a parent of special needs, mostly focusing on my struggles with autism and what I was feeling. I learned many strategies that worked for my son and discovered many blessings along the way as well. One of these blessing is how I was able to help others because of these hardships. My journal developed into a book, Living autism day.by.day: Daily reflections and Strategies to Give You Hope and Courage. I wrote the book I wished someone would have handed me as advice when my youngest son was diagnosed with autism over 14 years ago. My book is one I wished I had had to give to my parents, my friends, family members, as well as professionals.”

She discussed her writings, “My book, Living autism day.by.day: Daily reflections and Strategies to Give You Hope and Courage is meant to inspire and help families dealing with this very difficult disorder. From a parent’s perspective Living autism day.by.day is an indispensable, comforting reference book, full of insights. It is a must-have easily-digestible, inspirational guide book for parents, caregivers, family members and friends who do not understand the whole world of autism spectrum disorders yet suddenly find it a huge part of their life. Learn more about the book at my website: www.LivingAutismNow.com. I developed the web site so that parents can save time and money when searching for trusted autism service providers. It also lets parents and others share and rate their experiences – all for FREE.”

God is in Pamela’s world.

She elaborated, “It was many months before I found a way to deal with the impact of the diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder that my son received. I came to realize that autism is not something my child has. My child is not somehow trapped inside an invisible force field or wall of autism. I came to realize that autism is a way of being; an extraordinary way of being that influences every experience, sensation, emotion, feeling, thought, and perception of my child’s life. Autism has forever changed my life as well. I only had to decide that I was willing in my heart to accept what made my child unique, beautiful, and exceptional—like all other children. I came to feel I was given a gift, a masterpiece. My child was a blessing from God. And I began to truly live autism day-by-day. 

Hence, my remarkable, sometimes mind-boggling roller-coaster journey with autism began along with the many extraordinary miracles I have witnessed. Every day I journaled my feelings and reflected on them. I was always able to find a way to feel blessed. These daily blessings offered reassurance as I struggled with God’s design for my life. Slowly, my heart opened and I began to smile again. I began to experience comfort and joy once again in my family and in my daily life. I began a wonderful journey of soul-searching and exploration. I started to see differently. I engaged with myself, my family, my child and life differently. I was becoming much more patient, kind and loving. Always being driven to accept only 100 percent from myself and others, I had to give that up. I began to experience acceptance and even gratefulness for exactly who my son is. This experience of living with autism daily ultimately enriched my sense of life’s meaning, and a realization that truly there are real angels among us on this earth."

Pamela's advice to others, "For many years, families have struggled to support and care for their children with autism spectrum disorders, often primarily on their own and without continued support or the proper backup of integrated services. There is now a great deal more awareness of the difficulties of autism spectrum disorder and recognition of the importance of early diagnosis and integrated services. Local governments, communities and the voluntary sectors need to ensure that families with a family member who develops an ASD have the backing they need now and in future. Also I know that as a parent with a child that has autism, you give all you can for your child’s wellbeing but often forget or don’t have enough time or money to give to yourself what you need to succeed. Please remember to take care of yourself as well. This will benefit your family, your child with autism and yourself.”

    

Her closing words, “My prayer for you is that you take a few minutes every day of the year to enjoy a daily reflection on your life, and just for that day, take some small action. As you do, relax, breathe, and trust the journey. My hope is that you share my book, and that this book and my website will help many others as well. Please share this book with your family, friends, your children’s teachers, therapists, and doctors.

Many Blessings, Pamela Bryson-Weaver”

Pamela’s contact information:

Skype: Pamela.Bryson.Weaver

1.506.459.1396 (H) 

1.506.471.7440 (C)

Pamela@Livingautismnow.com

www.livingautismnow.com

www.facebook.com/LivingAutismNow

www.twitter.com/livingautismnow

An intelligent human being, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo

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Examiner article

I am taking a class on Assessments and Analysis currently and as I am being tested and learning how to assess such tests, I am gaining a better understanding of how variables can impact ratings. The IQ test I mentioned in the article was frustrating to me but I was taking it during a time when my tolerance was being compromised; my power had been out for several days and, because of this my anxiety level was high. Many things, like even test anxiety, can negatively impact how we score.

I did not have any idea about the controversy going on in the educational system relevant to testing and compensation to schools connected to higher ratings/scores. It seems that the need for high testing scores is causing more of a “teach to test” environment that may be sacrificing the scope of education.

I believe there must be a middle ground to pursue; where things are not just black and white but a shade of grey. I am far removed from this debate but I wonder how much of the assessment rankings consider the many types of intelligences that Gardner discovered. It is something to think about.

What are your thoughts?

Spitting in the soup, continued...

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Examiner article

As I’ve posted previously I am learning more and more techniques as I move forward in my Mental Health Counseling Master’s program. I love to learn this stuff and I think there is real merit with value to even those who are outside of the therapeutic field in order to understand behavior and what motivates change.

The technique, Spitting in the soup, seems a bit complex or perhaps difficult in reality but it has been around for years and some therapists have had success utilizing it. 

Let’s look at it in context. For example, perhaps someone lives by his or herself and this person is constantly in the center of drama in the family. And, maybe through this commotion this person is getting attention (even if it isn’t positive) and the attention actually helps the individual cope through his or her loneliness.  If this individual was in counseling, a therapist might directly ask, “How does this conflict help you?” It is likely if it is always surrounding you (the drama), there is something in it that entices you. At first the client might be taken back by the question this is why a good relationship is necessary before the Spit in the Soup method is used otherwise the client maybe offended and not return to counseling. But if the relationship is sound, a bit of direct probing might get a person to admit that maybe to a lonely person, bad attention is better than not having any attention.

At this point the therapist is not demanding change but he or she is staying apprised of the client’s continued behavior. It is likely the client’s admission will cause change. The therapist can help the client manifest ways to gain positive attention or friendly visits to create a healthy support system to validate the positive behavioral change.

As a student in Mental Health Counseling this all seems really interesting but I think implementation of this method would be pretty tricky!

What do you think, might the Spit in the Soup method bring about positive change?

Leave me your opinion. I’m interested.    

Acting as if, continued...

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Examiner article

I’ve started my practicum in my Mental Health Counseling Master’s program and in my Practicum class we are exploring techniques to add to our counseling career toolbox so to speak.

I’ve recently shared positive reinforcement with you and in today’s article I have presented “acting as if.”

Some might think this is a bit fake but, as I shared in the article, by focusing on what if feels like and looks like to have this new positive behavior incorporated in your life, you are actually changing your energy and shifting to manifest the actual change. It comes down to the power of thought, and, because thought evokes emotion and feeling, your life begins to be uplifted by incorporating the “acting as if” technique.

If you’ve had a mentor that you’ve looked up to at some point in your life, then it is likely you have simulated this behavior in the past. You might have thought, what would my mentor have done in this situation and, through this line of thought you’ve stepped outside of your comfort zone to emulate the behavior of this person. 

I remember a story that Oprah shared when she first interviewed for a news position at the start of her career. She idolized Barbara Walters and as she sat in front of the teleprompter to read the type and answer the questions, she took on the stance of Barbara Walters. Eventually, Oprah shaped her own style out of her career (and this has been life changing) but, initially, it was her approach from Barbara that helped get her the job.

Pretty interesting, huh?

Leave me a comment and let’s discuss “acting as if.”

Heightened life appreciation, continued...

Photo of Andy LaPointe provided by Andy

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Examiner article

Andy LaPointe continued the interview.

“As Jen talked with our kids, I remember standing on the corner of 45th and Broadway looking around at the thousands of people enjoying the warm spring night in Time Square. What I remember the most while I stood on that corner was a five to six foot pile of black garbage bags stacked on West 45th. What I didn't notice was the SUV parked right next to the pile of trash. We were literally 30 feet away from the SUV packed full of explosives set to go off at 6:30 PM EST.

After Jen hung up the phone with the kids, we began to walk north on Broadway toward 7th and it was then we started to hear the approach of oncoming sirens. As the sirens increased in both volume and number, we realized something has happened in the immediate area.

However, we were still unaware of the potential magnitude of the event. As the sirens approached, I took a video of the first response units arriving on the scene at approximately 6:35 PM EST. We are standing on the corner of Broadway and 7^th, a block or so north of 45th and Broadway.

Fortunately, nothing happened that night but that experience taught both my wife and I not to take anything for granted!”

The close call helped he and his wife to focus more purposefully on the following:

“- Building strong relations and spending more time with our children.

- Building strong relations and spending more time with our extended family.

- Enjoying and truly appreciating every minute life gives to us.

- Focusing on growing our business to help to improve our customers experience and enjoyment of life.”

Andy talked about how this shaped him spiritually, “The experience has helped me to realize how short life really is and how to thoroughly enjoy every moment of the day. Also, it taught me to take nothing or no one for granted. In addition, I now have a better understanding how to live life. Since that day my focus has changed from being competitive to creating. You see, when you're in a competitive mindset you believe you must defeat someone or something. When you refocus your mind to a creating state of mind you have the best interest of others in minds. The end result of a creative mindset is how will your "creation" further enhances the life of others.

Everything happens for a reason, however the reason may not be immediately obvious. As I look back, this event was needed in my life to allow me to advance my mind and outline on life from the competitive to the creative mindset.”

Andy shared, “A higher power is in everything. It's something that can't be easily seen simply with our eyes. It is usually seen better if you have a feeling of gratitude for everything in your life. It's as simple as the feeling of being appreciative for being able to enjoy a sunny day or the relaxation of a rainy day. Faith wants to help people enjoy all that life has to offer.”

I asked Andy to elaborate about his books, “I have written 12 books on the subjects of personal finance, entrepreneurship and how to become a lifestyle entrepreneur. In addition to my superfruit business, I also have a lifestyle style coaching business called Five Day Weekend System http://www.fivedayweekendsystem.com/ This is a complete step-by-step system to first create the lifestyle you want for you and your family and then create the income to support that lifestyle, no matter what that lifestyle is.”

He closed offering advice for those with an entrepreneurial spirit, “Bringing an idea to market is both exhilarating and draining. It's draining due to the fact of all of the personal energy, faith and effort put into something without knowing the payback for the outlay. However, you'll always remember your first sale of the product you created; it a very special moment. It's proof your creative mind, not competitive mind, has created something that enhances another individual's enjoyment of life. The advice I would suggest is to keep an exact list of expenses and always know how much you have placed into a product. This way you'll know how many units you need to sell to get a return on your efforts.”

You can interface with Andy through his companies’ websites and/or call the phone number below.

“My super fruit company is http://www.traversebayfarms.com/. Also, to learn more about my lifestyle coaching system and for a personal one-on-consult with me, please contact Ada at 231-676-0453.”