Okay, I know I haven’t been on in a while but I had to think about something I’ve never talked about before. I had a friend ask me for some information about someone to evaluate her friend’s child. I was so happy that she would think of me to ask and was thrilled because this is why I blog and try to spread the gospel on Autism Awareness. I gave her information for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) and told her to tell her friend that if she ever needed any extra info or just support that to look at my site and give me a holler. It’s what I do.
With that being said, she emailed me back with a “thanks” and told me that her friend was in denial. See, her friend’s son is 8 years old and is currently in public school. (Side Note: I could really go on a rant about the question “Why the hell is my child 8 years old and the school is JUST NOW contacting me about him being evaluated?” but I’ll get on that one after I finish this.)
This is what I dread for children with any disability (especially autism). When a child is put through the system and they slide through the cracks, the chances of seeing some real improvement when they do receive services to help them, are very slim. I’m not saying that it can’t happen, I’m just saying your chances of them retaining a lot is low. The reason I say this is because with going to your regular well-check visits and being curious and concerned with your child’s speech and development being slow or at a stand still should be enough to light a fire in you to find out what’s going on. It should send you on a mission to find out what’s happening to your baby.
I was told that my son would “talk when he is ready” and because “he needs to be around more children” that he was fine and that I shouldn’t worry. That’s crap. Unless your child is just isolated all day with no human contact at all, they should have regular social, motor, and speech development. Plus, you are a mother and you will always worry. If you have a feeling inside that something is not right and you bring your child around other children their own age and you see a gap in the developmental area, please go through the process of getting your baby evaluated. Take your child to the doctor to get their hearing tested, genetic screening, MRIs, EEGs, and etc. because when it’s all said and done, when you look back, you would have rather done all that you could and be right, than to have done nothing and be wrong.
For a child, the ages 1 month to about 6 years old are very crucial. These years they absorb, mimic, and learn so much. When getting the diagnosis for your child, it’s important to start with speech therapy and/or occupational therapy as soon as possible so that in this period your child can retain as many skills as possible to be able to function and communicate as best as they can.
When you wait until they are 8 years old and they have not been through any testing, it will be a much more difficult journey than if you had been diligent in the first place. Learned behaviors are set in and almost irreversible.
Please, if you have concerns about your child’s development, intervene early. You are the mother. You have the responsibility, regardless of what others try to make you believe, to prove without a doubt that your child is fine and if they are not, to do all that you can for your baby. Don’t wait. Take your child to be evaluated and some places even do an evaluation free of charge or on a sliding scale based on income. Do what you have to do so that your child may have the best chance at life they can.
Programs available in Tarrant county:
MHMR of Tarrant County
ECI of North Central Texas
3880 Hulen Street, Ste 400
Fort Worth, TX 76107 Referral Number – (888) 754-0524
Fax Number – (817) 569-4492
Email: debbie.lisheron@mhmrtc.org
Web: www.mhmrtc.org
Okay, I watched this video and I got mad as hell. I said I wasn’t gonna blog about it but everytime I saw it, it made my blood boil. For the record, I wanna say that I dont condone violence against anyone, domestic or otherwise. With that being said, Robin, I’mma have to give you a “Sitcho’ ass down”.
The reason why is because we know Mike Tyson beat you. We saw the interview. We saw you smiling and telling the story about how he abused you and we looked at his dumbfounded-ass face while you told the world this man was beating you. This was years ago, mind you, not circa Rihanna and Chris Brown. Okay, why after ALL this man has went through… accused of beating his wife, accused and convicted of rape, gone to jail, stripped of his dignity, lost all his money, can’t fight anymore, people calling him crazy, and finally a blow so anquishing…losing his baby, Exodus. My point is, no matter how bad this man treated you IN THE PAST, hasn’t he suffered enough for you to say, “Okay, he had his comin’… he got what he deserves”?
Then, on top of that she had nerve enough to try to check Oprah about what she should have said during the interview. Excuse me? Who’s name is on the front door of this studio? That shit dont say Robin, it says Oprah! The point I’m trying to make his stop harping on old shit so you can get some shine. You’re mad because of one comment this man said…if you that damn pissed off with it, call HIS ass up and tell him to say he’s sorry. That’s who you need to be getting a “I apologize” from. We know what he did and no one makes light of that but damn I think that appology from Oprah was a bit much. And if this man has went through all this…his life is a shitty shambles right now and he can’t crack one joke? WTF. Robin, if you listened to that joke and paused to see how you felt about it… what you should have done was let it go and realized karma, or whatever you want to call it, for what it is. Look at his life. If I was Oprah, I would have told her: You dont like what I said then git’cho ass of the stage…with them crocodile tears. I wouldn’t have bit mo’ apologized….Girl, bye.
Who knew, on the real, that Aaron Hall (R&B singer formerly of Guy) has/had been in Florida training dogs? I saw this video and (forgive me if I’m late) I was like, “NO, no he is NOT… this has to be fake.” It’s real. He kilt me when he said, “I feel like, if you open me up, you’ll see a dog in me”. I died. I saw a dog in him when his baby’s mother (Gloria Velez) was on TV talkin’ bout how Aaron aint payed child support in like forever. hmmmmm. But I was really hoping for Aaron to make a comeback one day. Dude can sing his ass off. It would help with them CHSUP payments. O_o
Okay, why is this my new favorite song? Robin is so sexy to me and he is so talented. I’m not saying that because I just like songs like these (baby-makin’ music), he really got some skills. In the real video, he is groovin’ and flirtin’ with the camera and really givin’ it to you… so sexy. *LOL*. Here it is for your viewing pleasure.
*serious look * Am I the only one who misses “Pon de Replay Rihanna”? This other bish, not so much. Is it me, or is she just DETERMINDED to show the world her nekkid ass? I guess since Chris leaked the nude pics of her she just said the hell with it and now it’s just a nipply time.
It doesn’t take all that. If you are talented, really talented, people will want to hear you sing. You dont have to keep reaching for attention like that.
I can appreciate the child trying to do her “fashion” thing. She’s rich, she’s suppose to dress up and look cute. But why come her ass just get’s depressing and more “abstract and work-of-art ish” to me, rather than a real person you can relate to. Then again, maybe I’m just not “refined” enough to understand the statement she is trying to make… with the dress, not the nipple. *sigh*
I even liked that little boppity bop song, “S.O.S”. It was annoying as hell but at least it was kinda upbeat (besides it being a distress call for help). I think since the “Chris assault incident”, this outward show for us has been one big ass cry for help.
Okay, I know this aint news but I just want to show you this eye candy. Come savor the flavor bishes! Lance Gross is so sexy and so talented. I’ve been a fan of his since “Meet the Browns”, Tyler Perry’s movie. With him being on “House of Payne” and seeing a lot of potential in his future, I just see him maturing an an actor… and even an icon (ie Denzel). But in the meantime, in between time, I will just look at him and drool… and say that Miss Eva Marcille is a blessed woman in more ways than one.*SMH* One lucky bish.
If you don’t know, Tony is married to Keri Lewis formerly of the group Mint Condition. I don’t know if this is a stunt to get record sales but I know one of her son’s, Diezel, has autism. Autism causes stress and tension in the best marriages and it may be a strong factor in the split. I know she kissed Trey Songz on an Award show (Soul Train Music Awards) but I really think that would not break the 8 year marriage up. It (the split) was probably in the works then when the kiss happened. Then again, it could all just be theatrics, I mean they do have a song together called “Yesterday” and it could just be to beef the song/album up. I don’t know. But then again, what tickles me about this is that Keri was IN THE AUDIENCE when it happen. Oh my damn! But hey, to each her own. *L* Either all of them got a damn good understanding with each other or Toni on some bold ish.
We all, as mothers, have had that urge to feel pregnancy again. Whether it was just giving it a brief thought or really contemplating it seriously with your spouse or significant other. I’m feeling like this now. I have visions of what it would be like to hold another baby and to equally love this new child as much as I love the one I already have. But, as a mother that has a child with autism, that’s not an easy decision. In fact, it’s a frightening one. There’s so much that could go wrong but on the other hand there’s so much that can be right about it.
You may have fears that your eldest (or child with autism) may not be as receptive to the baby as you thought they would. What if my son feels left out or regresses in behavior as a result of the new child? What if you feel the need to still give all your attention to the only child (autie) and that doesn’t give you room (so you think) to include a new child.? What if the new baby has autism too?
Truth is, there are statistics that will calm your nerves slightly about the thought of having another baby. Autism prominently appears in male children and the numbers are probably better for the second child. But at the end of the day, it’s all just numbers. No one really knows what will happen.
You can ask yourself these questions until your brain melts, but the point about it is something can happen regardless of whether your other child have autism or not. There’s a chance that something bad will happen just like there’s a chance something wonderful and beautiful will happen. I know I’ll have other children after nursing school but I want it to be worry free from all those questions. I will keep my faith in God and pray for healthy babies. That’s all you can do. You can’t stop living because something that made you feel like dying happened. It happened. We have to leave with that. But there is so much beauty and love to be had and shared. Why not have another child?
Photo via CNN: 
If you don’t know, Tony is married to Keri Lewis formerly of the group Mint Condition. I don’t know if this is a stunt to get record sales but I know one of her son’s, Diezel, has autism. Autism causes stress and tension in the best marriages and it may be a strong factor in the split. I know she kissed Trey Songz on an Award show (Soul Train Music Awards) but I really think that would not break the 8 year marriage up. It (the split) was probably in the works then when the kiss happened. Then again, it could all just be theatrics, I mean they do have a song together called “Yesterday” and it could just be to beef the song/album up. I don’t know. But then again, what tickles me about this is that Keri was IN THE AUDIENCE when it happen. Oh my damn! But hey, to each her own. *L* Either all of them got a damn good understanding with each other or Toni on some bold ish.