Jenna’s Journey From Autism To Self-Advocacy
Jenna was diagnosed with autism at age 4. Today, she is taking college classes, holds a junior Black Belt in karate, and is an amazing self-advocate.
This Is My Autism: Leaky Gut & Special Diets
I had read that children on the Autism spectrum often suffer from medical issues and have nutritional deficiencies and gut inflammation. But I had always brushed it off because my son never physically showed any signs of medical issues. I decided to look into this some more.
This Is My Autism: Stages of Emotion
Autism. I used to not be able to say this word out loud without my heart sinking just a little. It made me sad (still does sometimes) and angry (still does sometimes). You see I have a son with autism.
This Is My Autism: Carrying It All
Autism often comes with a laundry list of medical issues that interfere with development and weigh our kids down. One day could be perfect with the next day a complete disaster. I root for the good days, but we’ve had our fair share of disasters, like this day from a few years ago:
This Is My Autism: The Cost of Recovery
This was the moment I lost it. We have been fighting now for almost five years – sacrificing everything (literally) in order to help my daughter recover and heal. My daughter’s health has done a 360! I started crying happy tears, thinking about how far she had come…
This Is My Autism: Brain Inflammation & Immune Dysfunction
The whitewashing of autism comes not only in the delusional declaration that it has always been here, but also the claim that the autistic brain is simply wired differently. There is a growing body of science that is much more grim and sobering.
This Is My Autism: The “Gift” Of Being Fearless
Next time I share that my son has “autism” and someone asks, “Oh, so what is his gift?” (Think Rainman and how everyone assumes that every “autistic” has an incredible ability that somehow overshadows that fact and makes it magically ok that they are severely affected by that “autism”…), I can answer that his is being fearless.
Walking In Quicksand: How Autism Challenges Success
I recently discovered Ashlyn Washngton’s blog, Walking in Quicksand, and it’s brilliant. I am grateful to her for letting me share her post by the same name. I think it is the perfect sentiment to wrap up Autism Awareness Month. As the world turns off the...
Parents: Trust Your Instincts!
Fellow autism mom Cathy Jameson does it again. Last year she shared her son Ronan’s story here. Cathy is an amazing writer and I am thrilled that she wrote this piece for me. But even more than that, I am awed and inspired by her tireless devotion to help other...
Dear Lisa: Inspiring Autism Advice From The Future
In yesterday’s post, veteran autism parents shared what they wished they knew when their child was first diagnosed with autism. We don’t have a time machine to go back and tell our new-autism-parent selves this stuff, but hopefully our autism advice can...
Want To Know Why Marcia’s Mad As Hell?
Marcia Hinds is an author, speaker, and an awesome autism warrior mama. She successfully recovered her son Ryan from autism. She wrote an amazing book, I Know You’re In There, detailing Ryan’s recovery journey. You can read Ryan’s story, in his own...
Autism UNawareness Month?
I was so excited to kick-off my autism guest blog series this month with a story of hope and recovery. I cannot think of a better way to conclude it than with a story of hope for a sea change, for truth and justice for our children. And there is no one better to tell...
A Luminary Lexicon
Today is National Great Poetry Reading Day. In honor, I am posting the poem that Jen submitted with her earlier guest blog post. So, immerse yourself in all things poetic and reflect on life’s journey and YOUR journey, and enjoy the poetry of Zen Jen. A Luminary...
Do We Have To Fight Each Other?
Today’s guest blogger, Lisa Ann Pitts, tackles the “Mommy Wars” autism-style with her amazing wit, humor, and spunk. We moms all need to support each other, and this goes doubly for autism moms. Our challenges are too great to waste time judging the...
Feelin’ Guru V – Zen Jen’s Cascadia Epiphany
All autism parents feel hopeless and depressed sometimes, even my most-zen friend Jen. But Jen is better than anyone I’ve ever met at seeing the true beauty in everything. Her guest post is a reminder that if we remember to take care of ourselves, focus on our passion...Welcome!
My autism journey has changed the way I live and care for my family. I am passionate about nontoxic products, natural remedies, grain-free nutrition, essential oils, and healing the symptoms known as autism. This is a space for anyone aspiring toward cleaner, healthier living.
XO Joanna
