He'll eat when he's hungry!

Unfortunately, being the mom of anyone with special needs means there are some big food issues!  There are quite a few foods that my little flapper just won't touch. He's an extremely picky eater, and he is very outspoken about it.  His favorite food right now is chicky and fren fries!  Whether from home or McDonald's.  But it varies from week to week.  Like last week it was pizza rolls,  last month it was corndogs!  He won't eat soups, salads and normally won't eat bread (but he ate a whole king Hawaiian roll last night :-D)! He won't touch vegetables except for cucumbers!  I can usually get him to eat anything made with hamburger meat.  He likes taco meat (not the shell, or tortillas), spaghetti, lasagna, and meatloaf.  With all of his food aversions I cant tell you how many times I've heard " oh he'll eat if he's hungry" saying that if I don't give him his choice of foods he will eventually eat what's made!
Ummm... No. No he won't!  I know because before I found out he was ASD I tried everything to get him to eat other foods!  I remember when he was 2-3 years old he was scared of jello!  Like crying scared!   Now he likes jello.  The first time he dipped his chip in salsa I damn near cried!  Take a victory when you can!! Pick your battles wisely.. Continue to give them more choices and maybe.. just maybe one day he will surprise you and pick a new food!  Unfortunately ASD kids will not change their eating habits on your time! It's something they have to do on their own time. I still offer my son different foods but I know he will rarely try it.  But not giving him foods that he likes because I want him to eat something else will just cause him to starve himself!  He will not eat on your time!  But, given time I have high hopes that he will try more foods.  Until then... we will stick with what works!
~A.W.M

Little flapper 101

Hello all you awesome people!  Lets see...  on the wonderful day that my little flapper was born into this crazy world I knew something was different!  It wasnt the oh something is wrong with him or he has a mental disability different.. he just wasnt like my first son! And I know that siblings are nothing alike but I was young and figured there would be some differences but not like this. Ashton Phoenix Garcia was born October 21st 2007 weighing 7lbs 14oz 20 1/2 in long! He was perfect. The first thing I learned about Ashton was, he really did not like sounds! Not just loud noisy sounds but quiet ones too..  The slightest noise would have him screaming for hours! He cried endlessly and it was heartbreaking because there was really nothing I could do to comfort him! Mainly because of the second thing I noticed that was different about him.  He didn't like to be touched! He didn't like to be touched on his belly, his head, or his hands! Talk about feeling like a failure as a mom!  But slowly, I learned what Ashton did like! He enjoyed very low humming, and when I'd rub his tiny little feet! There were days I went with no sleep because not only did Ashton have colic, he also had acid reflux and would throw up constantly!! My biggest fear was of him choking on his spit up and me not hearing him even though he slept in a tilted bassinet right by my bed! So add sleep deprivation to the list of differences  between my oldest son and Ashton!  It wasn't always hard in the beginning though! One thing that my little flapper loved to do was laugh! He would find something he liked and stay glued for hours and laugh or giggle or bounce around!  For all you first time parents out there the vibrating bouncer was a huge hit! He would bounce like crazy in that thing! Our first indication that Ashton was truly different was his constant flapping!  He would jump up and down and flap his hands and arms all day! I blew it off! He's just being silly I thought.  But the real issue was Ashton wouldn't talk! He would jibber jabber and mumble but by the age of 2 he could speak a total of maybe 5 words! For those who don't know toddlers at that age should have a vocabulary of at least 50-75 words minimum!! Thus started our journey into speech therapy!  We were guided to the wonderful people at ECI and he was assigned to the most amazing speech therapist ever! Joan (jo jo) really helped bring Ashton out of his shell. He was terrified of people in general, even people that he knew and saw on a daily basis!  Jo jo was the first outsider he ever let touch him and hold him! It was beautiful and heartwarming!  But sadly the ECI cut off age is 3 so we were referred to the school district for further help! Scared doesn't even begin to cover the feelings of having a child with special needs! But I had to come to accept that I had one! But God smiled down on us and sent us an angel in the form of a teacher! Mrs. Wilson was Ashtons pre-k teacher in the colts program for 2 1/2 years! She is a true hero and miracle worker! She would tell you no, but there's no denying it! My sweet little boy went from not speaking and being terrified of kids, and adults especially men, throwing tantrums 5-10 times a day to making friends,  to speaking actual words we could understand and speaking 2-3 clear word sentences by the time he was 5, and having maybe 2-3 meltdowns a week! Now my little flapper is almost 7 and he is an absolute joy! He still has his bad days but with the help of Mrs. Wilson and friends I learned how to be the mom of this special little boy!  It's been a crazy ride so far but the future is so much brighter than I ever imagined 6 years ago!
Thanks for helping us become a happy, loving family! You all know who you are!
~Autism warrior mom~

Autism advocate<3

I love telling ppl my story about living with a mild autistic son!  I feel that when they ask me abt my journey with my son I am really helping them understand ASD a little better!  It's a breath of fresh air for me as a mom to know that I may be helping others by what I have gone through with Ashton!  That all the struggles I went through, and am still going through might save someone the emotional rollercoaster of learning first hand!  It's never the same for anyone but I hope that my story helps someone who might have felt alone, or overwhelmed!  There are so many awesome autism moms and dads out there that no one should ever go through this alone!!  It's a hard road, but if u stay on it I'm sure u will enjoy and love the destination!!  :)

Walk now for Autism

My family and I are signed up to walk for Autism in Houston TX on Oct 13, 2012.  I am so excited about meeting other parents with kids on the Autism Spectrum.  There are so many families out there that are affected by Autism, and Aspergers (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder.  I just want to reach out to the community and get as much support as I can.  Having your friends and families support is vital to families who have Autistic children.  But it shouldn't stop there!  I want to spread the word as far as I can to help the families of Autistic children.  But I can't do it alone!!  Everyone needs to understand the lives of Autistic children and their families.  It's a hard life but it's worth every second to have that amazingly special person in your life!  I wouldn't trade my life for the world!!  My little Autistic Warrior is one of the reasons I am living today!!  My older son is another reason!!  My children are my world and I cherish every bit of my life with them!!  So lets spread the word for www.walknowforautism.org  If you are not signed up in your area to walk then go online and sign up!  Raise money and better yet raise awareness to help the kids who have ASD.  If you would like to join our team in Houston TX then you may click the link above and sign up under the team name: Ashtons Warriors, we would love to have you as a part of our team!  We will have team t-shirts (cost 20$) and there will be more gear available later, (bandannas, hats, bracelets, etc.)  I hope to see some new faces for the walk!

Event Info: Autism Speaks is proud of our signature fundraising event which brings together hundreds of thousands of participants annually across the United States and Canada with a common goal of supporting Autism Speaks. Powered by volunteers and families with loved ones on the autism spectrum, this successful grassroots fundraising effort not only generates vital funds for autism research but also raises awareness about the increasing prevalence of autism and the need for increased research funding to combat this complex disorder. To see a current list of walk sites please visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org. Questions or Comments? Contact us at houston@autismspeaks.org or (281)714-7077 Event Location: <><><>Reliant Park, Westridge Lot Event Schedule: <><><> Houston Walk Now For Autism Speaks Kick-Off and Celebration! (All Team Captains and team members/families, 2011 Grand Club members and families, Sponsors and their employees are invited to attend!) 8/11/2012 10:00 am - 11:30 am Registration and Resource Fair Open 10/13/2012 8:00 am - 11:00 am Opening Ceremonies 10/13/2012 9:30 am - 10:00 am Walk begins 10/13/2012 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Fees: <><><> Walker Registration: No Fees General Registration Rewards: T-Shirt ($150.00 + ) Each registered walker who raises a minimum of $150 will receive a 2012 Walk Now for Autism Speaks t-shirt! Grand Club ($1,000.00 + ) This prestigious group of walkers have raised $1,000 or more for Walk Now for Autism Speaks this season. The program was created to give extra recognition and VIP treatment on Walk Day to these top walkers. Our goal is to double the number of Grand Club members in 2012. Want to join us? Start fundraising today! Rewards: VIP treatment - and extra recognition

Monkey see monkey do

Kids in a sence are all the same!!  No matter disability or average they all see and do what everyone else is doing.  Yesterday Ashton watched his cousins run and jump in the pool and he actually did it...  I was in shock!!  He never jumps in he starts crying if we ask him too and he will go to the steps and walk in.  But yesterday he watched his cousins jump in over and over again and he just ran to the edge and jumped...  It was so exciting for I almost jumped out of my chair cheering for him..  the other ppl at the pool were looking at me like I was crazy lol.  If they wouldst have met my son two years ago they would know what an accomplishment that was..  I'm so proud of my little man and I can't wait to watch him jump in again and again and again!!!

Autism rocks

Some people may think that autism is a death sentence!  I was one of them!  But its truly a life long journey that helps you explore new outlooks on everything!  Day to day objects that we take for granted and just push aside are the survival tools for autistic children.  Toys, doors, songs, sounds, they all play a big role in my sons life and yet I just don't really pay them that much attention they are just things to me!  Or they were, now its different, now I have seen objects and life through ky sons eyes and I try not to take any moment or thing for granted!  The things that my son has taught me since he has been on the autism spectrum has changed me!!  It has changed my life, my Outlook on love, on objects, on everything!!  so for me autism truly rocks!!

it's a hard knock life!

You know sometimes it's easy to forget that im not the only person affected by Ashtons autism.. In most cases I am the one dealing with him when he has an outburst or just having a good or bad day!  But I have on occassion forgotten that others are affected by his Autism too.  No one is more affected than Ashtons older brother!  Taylor sacrafices so much for his baby brother, more than he even really knows!  Taylor has always been an amazing big brother, and of course they fight and yell at each other like normal siblings do.  But Taylor has given up so much that he doesn't even know about to be Ashtons big brother..  Before Ashton was born Taylor, Jesse (my husband), and I would go on trips, we would drive all night to go visit family, we would take off and go to the movies or the zoo or just somewhere that Taylor wanted to go.  We went to the movies alot when Taylor was little..  He was watching Star Wars when he was 3 and loved it!  He was always such an outgoing kid and he still is he just doesn't get to go to all the places we did before.  Taylor was 5 when Ashton was born, he had just started kindergarten and was so excited that he was gonna be a big brother.  He told everyone that when his little brother got here that he was gonna teach him how to play video games!  I tries several times with no success to tell him that it would be awhile before Ashton could play games.  When Ashton was born I knew right away there was something different about him, I never really knew he had Autism but I knew that he wasn't like Taylor.  I have heard the no siblings are alike story a million times, but that didn't change my thinking.  Ashton didn't like to be touched, he didn't like loud noises,  he was always cranky it seemed that nothing made him happy!!  He didn't start crawling until he was 9 months didnt start walking till he was 13 months old which is normal for some kids.  He didn't start really talking till he turned 3 and he didn't using spoons and forks until last month (sept).  It's been a difficult almost 4 years to say the least.  But Taylor has had to be the calm and patient brother..  He has endured Ashton hitting, bitting, scratching, yelling, throwing, taking toys, books and games away from him and for the most part he has done it with a kind of grace you would never expect a kid his age to have..  He has gotten mad on occassion but hell who wouldn't.  I applaud my 9 year old son for being the wonderful, understanding, sweet and caring person that he is and I hope that he always will be.  He is wise beyond his years and he has got a difficult life ahead of him!!  He doesn't know it yet but he will become more than a brother to Ashton he will become his protector!!  I know in time there will be someone to try and hurt Ashton because of his difference and Taylor will be the one that Ashton looks to.  He will have to endure people talking and making fun of his baby brother for his Autism and that won't be easy for him nor myself and Jesse.  Taylor asked me earlier why we can't go on a family vacation to Disney World?  I told him that Ashton would be to scared to go with all the people dressed up as different charectors,  he shakes and screams when we go to a place that has a mascot or charector around.  Then he says why can't we go to Hawaii as a family!!  I explain to him yet again that Ashton can't fly right now he doesn't like being concealed in one place for long!!  And he would be scared of the  turbulance.  Things like that, that we could have done before Ashton was born are just not posible right now!!   I am so proud to be Taylors mom and I think I will learn just as much from him as he learns from me!!  I love my life and wouldnt change it for a sec!!!