Musings and What-not

My husband and I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma as our health insurance provider.  Now, some of you may have groaned when you read that since BCBS isn't known, by some, as being the best provider. Then again, some of you may have cheered because you absolutely love BCBS, and you wouldn't leave your health benefits in some other provider's hands, so to speak. If you haven't been living under a rock, you've probably heard about parents demanding autism benefits from health insurance companies.  Just Google "autism health insurance", and you'll get 1.5M pages to check out.

As a mother to a child with autism, I am already very careful about what my son does and does not consume.  However, there was some recent news that I found deeply disturbing. I have often said that there is more to the extreme rise in childhood disorders these days, particularly autism, than just vaccines. You already know my stance on other contributing factors such as our severe environmental changes and other toxic and unnecessary food additives.

As you all know, I was pretty busy the last 10 days globe trottin' around the web all in the name of autism . I had the pleasure of "visiting" several blogs, forums, and organizational sites to not only promote my new book, In My Mind , but also to discuss life with autism. Hosts, from all over, took the virtual book tour as an opportunity to "interview" me and learn more about me.

Update: I know this is Wordless Wednesday, but I wanted everyone to know that this picture is the logo of a great blog called, you guessed it, Autism is beautiful !

Last night, I got all serious and what-not, I mean really serious, and I thought I'd keep the tone of tonight's post... light-hearted. I'd like to tell you more about an organization I'm involved with. No, it isn't some underground movement whose dastardly plan is world domination... although, that would be pretty cool. {wink}

Disclaimer: The quotes within this post are not for the sensitive. Another week has passed, and most of it seems like a blur to me now.   I've been so busy with my virtual book tour that it almost feels like I've been online, all day, every day of this week. Regardless, I still have blogging to do that doesn't have a thing to do with my tour. So, let's get on with it... shall we? This week's Freaky Friday post goes to a young woman named Tanja (Koch) Fleischer who, much to my chagrin, waged a flaming war against autism last summer.

Folks who know me pretty well know that I've been "searching" for ways to be "at peace" with my yesterdays of many days gone by as well as "searching" for ways that will alleviate my "need-to-know-what-is-yet-to-come" ... right now. I cannot tell you how many books or CDs or podcasts or web bookmarks I have that offer up the information I seek. I also cannot tell you why I have been unable to connect with this information that is so readily available to me.

Folks who know me pretty well know that I've been "searching" for ways to be "at peace" with my yesterdays of days gone by as well as "searching" for ways that will alleviate my "need-to-know-what-is-yet-to-come" ... right now.

Some day, autism resources will be bountiful and waiting lists will be a thing of the past, and we'll gather 'round, holding hands, rejoicing and singing the Age of Aquarius while sun rays beam out of our butts. Until that day comes, parents like me will have to keep walking the walk! I had a brief conversation with @ CemeterySpot on Twitter this morning... he was curious about whether or not there was a list that compared autism services by state.  Excellent question for someone not living with it.

The title of this blog, which was also a groovy tune back in my heyday, rings loudly in my head whenever I read something about autism so incredulous that it makes the blood in my veins practically freeze. {Note to self... really need to get crack-a-lackin' on that meditation practice before said self kills over from those things that are not supposed to get to me.  Self?  Are you listening?  Breathe in... breathe out!} The other day, one of my internet autism buddies told me about another blogger's post that, for the first time since its debut, had brought up the subject of "autism".

There isn't a whole lot that I can say about the emotions I felt after watching this video. Every time I watch it feels like the first time. This song is just another way people are raising awareness for autism... in a positive way. The artist does not blame or point fingers... this song is just his way of sharing with the world how his life has been touched by autism.

I don't know why eyebrows raise whenever I mention that a portion of my book's proceeds benefit the Tulsa Autism Foundation . Apparently, donating a portion of one's royalty fundage isn't something you hear a first-time author doing.  And from the looks of things, most well-established authors don't partake in this little activity either. Why is that?

Wow, 40 years have come and gone!  Where did the time go? Although, I've only been 41 for two days, I feel as if I've reached a pivotal point in this journey called life.

This post is in response to an email I received from a friend! I've been asked about my thoughts regarding the passing of John Travolta's beloved first born, Jett, and I believe I was asked because there is broad speculation that he "had" autism.

As I strolled along the exhibit halls, admiring the impressive art collection of Thomas Gilcrease , the silence, that is prevalent in museums, was broken several times due to my son's scripting . One would think that a museum wouldn't be a ideal choice of parent to a child on the spectrum, but I feel that he deserves the same intellectual stimulation as the next person. We've visited several museums over the years, but it was today that I learned a very big lesson. After several "Shhhhhhh"s and "hands down", my husband decided to get him to read the labels associated with each art piece.  I noticed that his behavior was immediately calmer.  The scripting was gone as was the flailing.  Additionally, he was also actively engaged while viewing a short documentary about the "birth of the western film".  Something I didn't think would interest him in the least. I learn something new every day... thank goodness! Thanks to the Americans with Disab...

I am working on being a parent who educates first and reacts second. Too often, I read or hear about a parent apologizing for their child's disability/disorder, and I just want to jump on the nearest plane, fly to their town, and lay the smackdown on the person that messed with their child. Of course, it is only minutes later when I remember that this approach has and will continue to get us, the dis abled community absolutely nowhere. But I do wonder why parents feel the need to apologize, especially to people who are rude, condescending, and ignorant. I mean who really should be "apologizing"? The special needs child who may not understand that certain behavior could be deemed inappropriate and/or disruptive or the adult who is oblivious to the fact that they are not interacting with a neurotypical ( NT ) child? Or... Are apologies even warranted? Another thing I think too much about is discipline. As parents to special needs children, are we not to discipline them?  Is...

I don't know about you, but I used to love me some Bangles!

2009 is the year I've decided to add some flair to my blogginess .  People... I've decided to vlog. I feel that, sometimes, words get lost in translation when posting a traditional post, especially when the reader is unable to see the writer's body language or hear the intonations in their voice.  I figured vlogging would be a nice touch, and also allow you to get to know me... visually. Lordy, lordy!  Hope my visualness doesn't bust your monitor.  ;-) So, stay tuned, folks, for the first edition coming to a monitor near you... sooner than you think!

Join author, Adonya Wong, as she trots around the globe for autism , visiting various websites and blogs during her first-ever virtual book tour! She will be sharing her thoughts on living with autism, writing, getting published, and future works.  In addition to these interviews, you can read reviews of In My Mind and listen to an audio interview by Autism Hangout. Adonya's "Globe Trottin' for Autism" VBT begins January 19 and ends January 29. In My Mind creatively explores, through the form of a children’s picture book, the inner world of an autistic child… the world no one else seems to see.   From exciting adventures to silly games and conversations with a range of imaginary friends, the main character of the story, inspired by her son, Nicholas, brings readers into his world to demonstrate how a child with autism sees the world, and, in turn, how the world often sees a child with autism. Additionally, In My Mind isn’t about defining autism by her own experien...