Recently, I sat in church and watched, smiling, as a cute boy, about two or three, carried out some “funny” antics at the front of the church during a special service. I told Elliott to watch the boy, telling him the boy reminded me of him at Aunt Linda’s wedding. Elliott laughed. But the longer I watched, the more I saw… My thoughts were, “It could be Autism.”

There was the cute and loveable kid winning the hearts of the lighthearted congregation. There was the tell-tale sweating parent getting up and down, and moving back and forth, trying to decide what to do about the out-of-control child. What kind of parent wouldn’t just get up and retrieve the disruptive child? I know what kind of parent. It’s the kind of parent who knows that approaching the child could result in a tantrum, a game of cat and mouse, or a complete disaster involving knocking over candles or valuables.  This is a parent who is learning to choose his battles, sometimes before he realizes his child may have special needs.

When you raise kids who have autism, you have to discipline differently  and choose your battles carefully. You’ve got to keep your sense of humor and brush off the stick-in-the-muds who will judge you. So, collect your badges of courage, for there will be many; preserve your stories, for they are priceless; and keep your sense of humor, for your precious child could be the next star on Funniest Home Videos! 

In Christ Alone, Jill D.

How do you take those ideas and concepts that you use at school and make it work at home too?! I wish I had a great answer for this, but I don’t. Much communication is needed from anyone involved in the development and care of someone affected by special needs. Is there a thing as too much consistency, follow through and planning?! Is there a secret to success? A special program that you can purchase to make it all “happen”? What are your thoughts, challenges, solutions? Any success stories?! We would love to hear it all!

Check out this video! It really does take a village. Are you connected in your community? Are you accessing the resources that will benefit your child?

How do you take those ideas and concepts that you use at school and make it work at home too?! I wish I had a great answer for this, but I don’t. Much communication is needed from anyone involved in the development and care of someone affected by special needs. Is there a thing as too much consistency, follow through and planning?! Is there a secret to success? A special program that you can purchase to make it all “happen”? What are your thoughts, challenges, solutions? Any success stories?! We would love to hear it all!

Check out this video! It really does take a village. Are you connected in your community? Are you accessing the resources that will benefit your child?

Purchase song on itunes.

God the Master Gardener:  A Study to Help Parents of Children with Special Needs Live the Life God has Chosen for Them

I Am:  A Study on Identity and Roles in Families with Children Who Have Special Needs

Impact:  Understanding the Many Ways a Child with Special Needs can Positively Impact Our World

It’s not easy Trying to be the “Perfect Child“:  Helping parents to recognize, understand, and deal constructively with sibling rivalry, jealousy, and unequal treatment in families affected by children with Special Needs

The Power of God:  A Study to Answer the Question:  ‘Why was my child born with special needs?’

Wearied and Worried:  Finding God’s Peace and Perspective in the Lives of Families Affected by Special Needs

Who’s Your Daddy?:  God’s Advice on Parenting

Please post your thoughts and share your stories!

Here is Surreia’s first attempt at being sneaky….  One more thing… Notice how she says, “see ya, folks” at the end of the video!  She has never used the word, “folks”.  Too cute.

Recipe:

Monster Cookies Recipe

INGREDIENTS

Peanut Butter cookie ingredients: 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature (use butter substitute if needed.  Willow Run or Earth Balance)
1 cup of creamy peanut butter (alternative to peanuts:  almond or sunflower butter)
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of packed brown sugar
2 eggs, room temperature (if allergic to eggs, use egg substitute)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour 3/4 cup rice flour, 1/2 cup coconut flour, 1 cup gluten free oats.

6 ounces choc chips and 6 ounces or more of m & m’s (sun spree brand is a good GF/CF alternative)

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 375°F. Beat the butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugars and beat at medium speed until well incorporated and fluffy.

2 Add the eggs and vanilla and beat for about 2 minutes on medium speed.

3 Add the baking soda and beat for 30 seconds. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom to ensure all the butter is well incorporated.

4 Add the flour and salt, a bit at a time until incorporated but do not overmix.

5 Fold in the mix-ins for either the kid version or the adult version. OR split the dough in half and cut the mix-in ingredient measurements in half, for half adult cookies and half kid cookies.

6 Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and scoop on rounded spoonfuls of dough and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden bown. Be sure to let them cool on the baking sheet before you move them.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Have you considered what life would be like if you purposed to seek Him and follow Him in all you do?

My prayer for you is that you will seek HIm throughout each day.  Not just a quick prayer here and there asking God to give you something you want.  Seek HIm and His will for your life!  Pray incessantly!  If you do that you will feel His presence and see Him work miracles and move mountains in your life.