Pseudonyms

I have given both of my children pseudonyms to protect their privacy on this blog.  If you know me, or know how to navigate Blogger, you likely can easily find out their real names.  However, I do ask that you respect their privacy and refrain from mentioning them by name in comments, or attempting to defame them in any way.

Storm was chosen because my son is complex like a spring thunderstorm.  Here in Texas, a storm can appear almost instantly with very little forewarning.  Every storm is different, and you never know what to expect.  Storms can be dangerous with lightning, hail, and tornadoes.  Storms can be intense with noisy thunder and pouring rain that fills the streets with water.  Storms can also be greatly beneficial as they bring rain to help make plants grow.  Nothing would be able to grow without rain, and as unnerving as a storm can be, there is something profoundly and mysteriously beautiful about them.

Sunshine was chosen because my daughter is a delightful burst of warmth.  The sun can be shrouded by storm clouds, but you know it is still there.  Sunshine helps to re-energize people, and nothing could grow without it.  The sun is warm and welcoming, bright and happy.

Both are needed to survive, and our family could not grow together without them.

My favorite weather phenomenon, however, is when the rain is pouring down but the sun is still shining through, and I can see the prisms of light in the raindrops.

(source: Wikipedia Commons)

(Source: Flickr)

About This Blog

This blog is my platform to speak about Autism Spectrum Disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, and how our family copes with our special son.

Tell us about your family:
My husband (henceforth to be referred to as The Captain) and I have been married for 8 years, and it has been an interesting ride so far.  We have two awesome kids (so far).

Storm* is our oldest, born in 2008.  He was diagnosed in 2012 with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (PDD-NOS), possible Asperger's Syndrome, with ADHD type subsumed.  He is a sweet boy, with a quirky sense of humor, and he loves to have fun although he seems so serious most of the time.  He is also highly intelligent--we often joke he is too smart for his age.
Sunshine* is our little one, born in 2011.  She has a bubbly personality and is always ready to be held and hugged.  She is much more socially outgoing, and babbles to anyone who is willing to listen.
We also have two lovable dogs.  Menschi is a 4 year old Corgi mutt, and is fairly laid back.  She loves everyone and would lick them to death if she got the chance.  Menschi is Japanese for "Emergency Food Supply".  Our other furball is a one year old Siberian Husky puppy named Sasha.  Sasha is about as spastic as a large puppy could be.  She is full of energy and must be watched closely around the kids lest she knock them over in her excitement. Menschi is my dog, Sasha belongs to The Captain, but I end up taking care of them both.

*My children's names have been changed to protect their privacy.  More on why I chose these pseudonyms here.

Your kid is just being spoiled, you're a lazy parent:
This statement couldn't be farther from the truth.  I don't by any means consider myself a perfect parent, but I do discipline my children as they need it.  We have rules in our family, and everyone is expected to follow them.  Storm's autism is never allowed as an excuse for poor behavior.  The Captain and I try our best to provide a firm and loving home for our family within a Christian context.

Christian?  Are you one of those wackos?
The Captain and I are conservative Anglo-Catholics.  We are members of The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, and are active members of our home parish where we serve in various ministries, and I teach Sunday School for the preschool children.  In addition, Storm is a student at St. Vincent's Cathedral School, an excellent institution that provides a truly rounded and Godly education.
We attempt to live our lives following the model of Christ, but acknowledge that we are all sinners.  We respect that others may not follow our faith and we prefer to evangelize by the example we set in our own lives through our words and actions toward others.

So what is this Autism thing?
As best as I understand it, Autism is a complex neurological disorder.  I actually don't like the term disorder, because it implies that there is something "wrong".  I believe God made my son exactly the way He intended, and possibly for a purpose only He knows.  I do know that Storm is not neurotypical.  He has odd behaviors and quirks that are unique to him, and these all add up to make up a very interesting individual.