Haircuts

Getting a haircut seems so simple and effortless…right?  You sit in a chair and have to do nothing while someone else works to cut your hair.  I mean really…what could be the problem?  You were probably too young to remember your very first haircut, but for some the first one is a little scary.  Some stranger is touching your head or maybe your mother is placing a big set of scissors over your head and you are not sure what she is going to do. 

I remember some of my haircuts as a child, because they were memorable moments with my dad.  We would walk or drive to this barbershop that was just a little ways from the house where I grew up from the time of birth to about 8 years-old.  We could actually see the barbershop from my parent’s front porch.  It was an old school barbershop with the barber wearing a white coat, they would use an electric razor and scissors to cut our hair, and he would tilt my dad back in the chair in order to shave his face with a straight razor. I had hoped to make similar memories with my son one day.

While most children get use to the haircutting process at a young age, children with autism may take a few years longer if they ever get use to and adapt to it at all.  In the beginning with Zach, my wife had to sit in the chair with Zach on her lap and keep him in essentially a body lock to stop him from flaring his arms and legs while the barber quickly cut his hair.  He did not like the vibration of the electric hair razor or the sensation of the hair falling on his face.  We had to keep a towel over his face during the haircut and an extra shirt in the car as he could not stand the hair clinging to his clothes. 

As time went on and Zach got older we made the decision that Zach had to learn to sit in the chair by himself, because it was part of teaching him independence and it would just look odd having an older kid or teenager sitting in his mother’s lap to get a haircut.  We started with Debby standing next to the barber chair while still holding a towel over his face and of course a shirt in the car ready for him to change.  After several haircuts we then removed the towel from his face and let him get use to the sensation of hair falling on his face.  We eventually stopped bringing a shirt for him to change into in order to get him familiar with the fact that after a haircut you might have to walk around with hair on the shoulders of your shirt and down your back until you can get home and wash off.  The big step for Zach was getting him to go back with the barber by himself. 

One day I decided to take Zach to the same place I go for a haircut, Sportclips.  This place is a sports themed barbershop for men and boys and you can watch ESPN on flat screen televisions while getting your haircut.  The first few times I took Zach to Sportclips I walked to the back with him, told the barber he had autism, and stood nearby while they cut his hair.  Then the third or fourth time the barbers were use to Zach, and I let him go to the back by himself and he did awesome.  He sat appropriately in the chair, listened to the directions from the barber, and even responded to some of the questions the barber asked.  We will continue to go to Sportclips as Zach is now use to the environment and the barbers are now use to him.  Zach has made some tremendous progress and we have made some cool memories.           

 

Help Autism Asperger's Digest reach 3,000 likes on Facebook

Hello everyone,

Let's help Autism Asperger's Digest reach 3,000 likes on facebook...better yet let's help them get to 4,000 by the end of the month.  Below is a link to there facebook page.  This is a great publication providing tremendous articles and information to help families raising a child on the autism spectrum.

Take care...Eric

http://www.facebook.com/autismdigest

Eden Autism Services

I could not imagine raising my son with autism during the 1970’s, 80’s or even the 1990’s.  Twenty years from now parents raising a child with autism will be saying the same thing about parents having to raise a child during the beginning of the century in comparison to 2030.  As years and decades pass the level of therapy and education programs available to families raising a child with autism has greatly improved. During the 1970’s and 80’s a parent would be hard pressed to find a school district willing to build their curriculum specific to the needs of a student with autism.  During the 1990’s, specifically toward the end of that decade, curriculums for special education students started to shift as the number of students with autism entering public schools continued to climb, and the requirement for schools to develop Individualized Education Plan (IEP).   

 Today, it has become the norm in a lot of school districts to observe various evidence based practices and techniques being used, such as, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and TEACCH.  There are various other evidence based programs and more that are in development.  With the increase of our dependence on technology various computer programs and Apps have been developed to help teachers and therapists assist their students with math, reading, speech, and gross and fine motor skills.   As this mass population of children on the autism spectrum get older and move into adulthood there will be a greater need for resources to continue the therapy they are receiving, but also to assist with employment and residential placement.

One company that has grown with the autism population as it has gotten older is Eden Autism Services.  What started in 1975 as a family-oriented school for individuals with autism has became a multi faceted service provider for those living in New Jersey and Florida.  The Eden Institute provides school services to individuals on the spectrum from age 3 to 21 and teaching techniques are based on ABA.  The Eden Institute also provides speech and occupational therapy as well as adaptive physical education.

For those transitioning from school age to adult, Eden provides adult residential and employment services.  Eden offers 24 hour residential support and serves 5 to 7 adults with autism at their group homes.   They also operate an employment training center in New Jersey where adults are taught skills with the goal of joining center-based, supportive or competitive employment. Center-based employment consist of clients staying at an Eden Center and working on sub-contract mailings or assembly line work, and with supported employment clients work in the community under the supervision of an Eden job coach.  Competitive employment allows clients who have demonstrated the ability to work independently with minimal supervision to work in the community, and are dropped off and picked-up daily. 

Eden also offers several other services, such as, evaluation, consultation, training and workshops, assessment and curriculum series, and in-home services.  Thanks Eden Autism Services for nearly 40 years of serving children and adults with autism.  Your dedication and commitment to this population is greatly appreciated.

To learn more about Eden Autism Services or to donate to their organization you can click on the following link:  http://edenautism.org/wordpress2/

Buffets and Restaurants

It was not long ago when we were unable to go to a restaurant with Zach unless it was buffet style and he picked it.  Due to communication barriers and some behavioral issues, going to a restaurant was a challenge as we never really knew or could understand what Zach wanted.  Not to mention if the item he wanted at that moment was not on the menu there was always potential for verbal and physical objection followed by a public meltdown.  However, we were not going to be held hostage from going to restaurants, and we needed to get Zach use to that type of environment and social interaction. 

The best way we found to ease and introduce Zach to the restaurant world was by way of buffet style.  It seemed like a safe bet, because most buffets have something for everyone’s taste buds and appetite.  At first we let Zach pick the restaurant and he usually went with an Italian buffet where he could fill up on salad, pasta, garlic bread, and any kind of pizza he wanted.  After a short time we decided to start picking buffets that had more of a variety so the rest of us could enjoy something else besides a bunch of carbohydrates.  While at more inclusive buffets Zach surprised us with some of his selections and he started to broaden his food choices. 

It took a while for Zach to get use to the Restaurant atmosphere before we could take him to a typical restaurant where you have to remain seated while the wait staff takes your order and brings your food to your table.  The first time it happened I happen to be in New Hampshire with my daughter visiting my parents.  My wife called to tell me she just had lunch at the Olive Garden Restaurant with my son and he did awesome.  Since this time we have been to several different restaurants where Zach orders his own food, waits patiently for his meal to arrive, and uses proper manners and behavior throughout the meal. 

Recently, Zach asked me to take him to Taco Bell (not exactly your sit down eatery), and prior to going he looked at the menu online and printed out the items he wanted.  Upon arrival to the restaurant, Zach ordered his own food, picked a place to sit, and used proper manners.  Granted he polished off 7 tacos before he was done, but we had a great time.  He has come a long way from no restaurants to eating at buffets and finally graduating to a typical restaurant.  Maybe Zach will let me pick the next place we go to eat and be ok with it…we will see.     

The Brain and Autism Research

The brain is arguably the most fascinating organ in the human body, and definitely the most complex.  In recent years there have been significant discoveries made by scientist about the brain, but in reality they have only scratched the surface of all the various nuances it holds.  We know the brain is the mecca of our central nervous system as it sends and receives message to the rest of the body.  But did you know that as small as the brain is in comparison to the universe in which we live it holds more neurons and genes than the amount of stars we can actually see.  There has never been a specific count conducted, but it is estimated that the brain has 100 billion neurons.   

For several years now scientists seeking a cause and potential cure for autism spectrum disorders have turned their attention and focus to the brain as it holds the key to understanding the puzzling mystery behind common autism symptoms and characteristics.  While some scientists might be trying to map the entire brain to better understand its unique circuitry, others are trying to understand the various genes, neurons and chromosomes, and how they are all suppose to interact within normal brain functioning.  The process has already started with comparing normal functioning brains with those of individuals on the autism spectrum, and over the years great strides have been made with mapping and unraveling deficiencies in functioning. In some cases scientist have attempted to replicate autism symptoms and characteristics in mice as a means to study various treatments in an attempt to find a cure. 

A recent study discovered that injections of an agent called “GRN-529” into mice reduced autism like symptoms.  Specifically, agent “GRN-529”  reduced repetitive behaviors and increased social interaction among the mice.  Another study involving mice bred to harbor autism like behaviors found a deletion in a gene called “SHANK3”, which is located in chromosome 22.  What is “SHANK3” you ask?  According to the National Institute on Health (2013), “The SHANK3 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is found in many of the body's tissues but is most abundant in the brain. The SHANK3 protein plays a role in the functioning of synapses, which are the connections between nerve cells (neurons) where cell-to-cell communication occurs. Within synapses, the SHANK3 protein acts as a scaffold that connects neurons, ensuring that the signals sent by one neuron are received by another.”  

There is still a lot of research to be conducted on agent “GRN-529” and “SHANK3” gene, but the preliminary findings are promising and should bring some optimism. For more information regarding the studies mentioned in this blog you can click on the following links:   

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2012/agent-reduces-autism-like-behaviors-in-mice.shtml

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2011/mice-with-autism-related-mutations-replicate-autism-like-behaviors.shtml

LTO Ventures...Helping Adults with Autism Live on Their Own

As the autism population gets older and migrates into adulthood, parents wonder and are concerned about what will happen to them next.  Where will they live and work?  Will they be capable of living independently and have the capacity to work at all?  Just like any parent, those raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) hope that one day their child will obtain employment, and live on their own or maybe in a group home.  According to reports, unemployment among adults with an ASD is a staggering 90 percent, and an estimated 70-85 percent live with a parent or family member. 

Occupational and speech therapy along with educational programs has shown to improve the development of those with an ASD, and increased the potential for job and residential placement.  However, finding employers and residential facilities willing to provide opportunities for those with an ASD is a subsequent challenge.  There are several government agencies and non-profit organizations across the United States that are starting to provide such services to those on the spectrum. 

LTO Ventures based in Henderson, Nevada is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization providing residential models for adults with an ASD and recently announced an entrepreneurial program.  The organization was started by Mark Olson after being inspired by his teenage daughter, who has autism and is nonverbal, and unlikely she will ever be able to live independently.  LTO Ventures creates “Live/Work/Play communities” to help adults with an ASD to have residential opportunities without having to continue to live with a parent or family member.   The communities house approximately 100 residents and are funded in part by grants, donations, private pay, special needs trust, philanthropic equity funding, and endowments.   

Housing options include individual and shared apartment living, and units are organized in clusters to encourage interaction among residents.  Each unit is adapted and equipped to the specific needs and desires of each person.  The communities are vehicle-free and access managed campuses to ensure the safety and security of the residents.  There are currently 18 such LTO community models in existence or under development in the United States.  Further, each campus also consists of businesses that will create employment opportunities. 

In addition to the residential opportunities that LTO Ventures provides, they recently announced the Autism Entrepreneur Center to help adults with an ASD start-up and run a business.  The center will create partnerships between typical adults and those with an ASD to create and successfully run for-profit or non-profit companies.  The mission of the Center is to give ASD adults the specific guidance, tools and resources they need to create, launch and run their own real business.  The first year goal is to create 12 new businesses and putting an estimated 100 adults with an ASD to work. 

For more information about LTO Ventures you can log on to http://ltoventures.org/

 

Ohio Governor Issues Directive for Insurance Plans to Cover Services for Autism

Recently, Ohio Governor John Kasich announced a directive for insurance plans to include services for autism.  The directive requires insurance plans to include specific treatments, such as, speech and occupational therapy, initial assessments, psychiatric appointments, and other related therapies to treat those diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  More specifically, the insurance plan must cover up to 70 therapy sessions per year and 20 hours of Applied Behavioral Analysis treatment per week.  This directive follows 32 other states that have mandated coverage for autism related services that insurance companies were not previously required to cover. Further, Governor Kasich has advised that State employee health plans will include services for autism by 2014.  This means that 49,000 state employees and approximately 40,000 children covered under state insurance plans will be eligible for benefits. 

The directive comes after the Ohio General Assembly had been debating the issue for several years after a bill was introduced and has yet to take a vote.  Ohio already provides access to autism related services to children through its medicaid program.  Research has shown that early intervention and therapy treatment helps make a significant long-term difference in the lives of children with autism by improving speech, social, occupational, and cognitive skills.

Governor Kasich’s directive was not without criticism from special interest groups.  Some folks are concerned that adding such a benefit will increase the cost of insurance to employees and employers.  Due to the additional cost of coverage and the amount of benefits insurance companies will be paying out will force insurance companies to increase the cost that will be passed down to the consumer. 

“These things aren’t free”, said Roger Geiger, who is the vice president and executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business in Ohio.  “They are all noble and sound good, but at some point it’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back.  Do you want basic coverage for many or Cadillac coverage for a few?”

An estimated 60,000 Ohioans have an autism spectrum disorder and the numbers are rising.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 1 in 88 children have an autism spectrum disorder, which is an increase from 1 in 150 just five years ago.  Being a state employee and the father of a child with autism, I applaud Governor Kasich’s bold step to provide insurance coverage.  With that being said I fully anticipate lawsuits being filed to stop the Governor’s directive and an argument for the Ohio General Assembly to make the decision to cover autism services or not.    

 

      

Zach's Christmas List

For a number of years Debby and I have struggled to figure out what to get Zach for his birthday and Christmas.  As a parent you want to get things your child wants, likes and will enjoy, for those special occasions otherwise it is not a very good or memorable moment for them.  Our dilemma was based on two distinct reasons. First, Zach could not verbalize to us what he wanted and so it was a guessing game.  Second, we were unsure if he would actually like or know how to use what we got him. 

Over the years we had some significant hits and some definitive misses.  We tried some toys, but it became frustrating as a parent to see him struggle to understand the concept of what he was suppose to do with it and eventually he would chuck it aside.  For whatever reason we also tried getting him things that would be therapeutic and he would like to play with.  I remember one year we got him a couple of 2 to 3 pound medicine balls, yoga bricks and balancing disk, so he could use it as an obstacle course with the hope that he would stop using our furniture. Needless to say a young child is not very interested in exercise equipment at age 7, 8 and 9.  Now that I look back on it, maybe Debby and I were trying to exercise vicariously through our son or subconsciously we wanted him to be a Pilates instructor in the future. 

In recent years, Zach’s continued improvement of his communication skills, verbal and written, has made buying gifts for him a lot easier.  The last couple of years he hand wrote a list of things he wanted for his birthday and Christmas.  The majority of things on the list were age appropriate and items I would expect someone of his age to ask for. Zach has also been working on his typing skills with his occupational therapists and this year he decided to type out his Christmas list.  Then after he printed out the Christmas list he hand wrote across the top, “Dear Santa please bring my stuff.”  This was the first year in which Debby and I did not have to scratch our heads or bang it against a concrete wall wondering what to get Zach. 

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy New Year!!!  

Connecticut Tragedy

Unless you live in a remote part of planet earth with no communication with the outside world you have probably heard about the devastating tragedy that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14^th.  Just prior to 9:30 am, a 20 year-old male stormed into an elementary school and opened fire on students and staff resulting in the death of 20 students and 6 others.  This was the second deadliest school shooting in United States history behind the incident that occurred at Virginia Tech in 2007, but the one in Newtown is arguably the most shocking due to the young age of the majority of the victims.

As a society we always seem to be looking for the answer of why such an incident happens and the answer to that inquiry is not answered until several weeks later once law enforcement completes their investigation, but in the end there is no logical or rational answer that can explain it.  A lot of people have commented that they cannot believe that such an incident happened in a place like Newtown, Connecticut where the population is approximately 27,000. The fact of the matter is regardless of where you live in America and how safe you may feel today does not immune you from a tragedy happening to you or your community tomorrow.  Unfortunately there are all kinds of weapons that are easily accessible in our culture and a minority of people who feel the need to commit such heinous acts that lacks any logical explanation. 

As a society we must be vigilante as we conduct our lives without being completely paranoid and protect our loved ones without feeling the need to barricade ourselves from the potential harm that we could be exposed to on a daily basis.  Not knowing what each day may bring to our lives, tragedy or triumph, always tell your kids, spouse and others close to you how much they mean to you today, because tomorrow it all could be taken from you by some random act of violence or accident. 

Being a native New Englander my heart is full of sorrow and sadness today just like everyone else’s in the world over this senseless tragedy.  Thoughts and prayers to all the victims and their families.       

 

Giving Thanks

There are so many things I am thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day, but my thanks are not just limited to one day of the year.  What I am thankful for I carry with me every day; although, I may not express my thanks openly on a daily basis to those I am thankful for, but today is the one day I will.  Here are my top ten things I am thankful for today and everyday of the year.

10. I am thankful for the place where I grew up, Concord, New Hampshire.  This small town is a great place to raise a family and a place where you appreciate small town living that enriches your life.  It definitely taught me to be humble, grounded, and kept my feet on the ground.  I think about and miss New Hampshire every day. 

9. I am thankful for the humble and simple life my parents provided for me and my siblings.  It has given me a greater appreciation of the things I have been able to accomplish and goals I have reached throughout my life. 

8. I am thankful for the people I have met throughout the 41 years of my life, whether short or long-term, a brief encounter or one that has lasted for years; you have made some kind of impact on my life.

7.  I am thankful for the friends that have come in and out of my life and those that have remained.  We have shared personal struggles, good times, and had a lot of laughs together.

6.  I am thankful to the City of Columbus, Ohio for being progressive in the amount of education and therapeutic programs they offer to families raising a child with autism.

5. I am thankful for all the therapists, teachers and doctors, who worked with my son throughout the years to help him develop and understand the world around him.  Without dedicated professionals like you I am not sure Zach’s future would have as much hope. 

4.  I am thankful for my mother for the 40 years she was with me before she passed.  You taught me how to be child, young man and adult.  You showed me how to be kind, caring, and loving to those around me.

3. I am thankful for my children for keeping me grounded. You make me want to be a better father every day.

2.  I am thankful for my wife and the more than 20 years we have spent together and the incredible friendship we share.  You are definitely the rock of the family.

1. I am thankful for each day I am allowed to continue living on this earth and the time I get to spent with my family.  I could not imagine being without you. 

Ohio Renaissance Festival

A few weekends ago I took my kids, Zach and Riley, to the Ohio Renaissance Festival down in Harveysburg, Ohio.  I had heard a lot of good things about the festival and have wanted to go for a number of years.   The festival consisted of people dressed in the Renaissance era clothing, comedy shows, games and rides, musicians playing music from the historical period, and of course vendors trying to sell merchandise.  I thought the kids might enjoy some of the shows and games, but I was grossly wrong. 

The only thing Zach was interested in was a replica pirate ship that was on display. However, when he found out that he could not board the ship and explore it he was not interested in anything other than knowing what time we were leaving.  We stayed for about 3 ½ hours before departing and I initially thought it was just a waste of time and money.  After thinking about the trip some more I realized that it may have been a waste of money, but not necessarily a waste of time.  You see, a couple of years ago Zach would not have been capable of staying at a place for 3 ½ hours he had no interest in being without making it difficult on his parents.  He would have verbally and physically objected by throwing himself down on the ground in protest.  At the Renaissance Festival where he clearly had no interest as evident by his unmotivated body language, Zach hung in there and tolerated the environment without incident.  

We always want our kids to experience new and different things whether or not it turns out good or bad, and if they liked it or not.  Going into some situations we kind of have a feeling if it will be a positive experience and other times it is unpredictable with what could happen.  From one parent raising a child with autism to all the others doing the same, I encourage you to expose your child to different environments.  This is one of many ways they will learn and adapt to various environments they will be confronted with in the future.    

IT'S JUST FREAKING MASHED POTATOES!!

We have a routine every Sunday night after dinner and Zach never lets us forget.  We set the dinner menu for the week, and everyone picks a day and a meal.  Why do we do this you wonder?  For years it was very difficult to get Zach to try new foods or to get him to eat the food we had prepared for dinner.  Often times Zach would have a completely different meal from the rest of us.  Years ago we realized we could not live with making two different meals for dinner and plus Zach needed to learn to try new things.  In general everyone has sensitivities to certain smells and taste, but with autistic children I think that sensitivity is slightly greater than most.

We started with putting new food on his plate with a simple rule, “You have to try everything on your plate.”   We did not expect Zach to finish everything we had him try, but getting him just to try it at times was a battle and a half.  He would object at times just by the appearance of the food and other times he would smell the food before objecting.  There were times that he would try a new food and actually like it and wanted more of it.  The menu was introduced after Zach would come home from school, find out what we were having and either start objecting or had a meltdown, because it was something he did not pick or want. By writing out the dinner menu it visually and mentally prepares Zach for what is to come, and it has made a huge difference at dinner time and at the dinner table. 

As time has passed and Zach has matured his menu selections have grown leaps and bounds, but there is one item he cannot stand to even try.  He will eat potato chips and tater tots, but my word you put mash potatoes on his plate and you are in for dinner time war.  Not sure if it is the texture, smell or taste, but he wants nothing to do with it.  The other night we had mash potatoes and we only wanted him to try it.  You would have thought we were asking him to give us his left kidney or right lung.  Complete meltdown with loud verbal objecting to the point he started yelling, and I had to remove him from the table for a time out.   Forty-five minutes later he calmed down, but due to being so upset he did not eat much dinner at all that night.  All this objecting about mash potatoes from a kid, who once dipped dill pickles in Italian Wedding soup.  IT’S JUST FREAKING MASH POTATOES.   Both of his parents are very stubborn people…so we will try to get Zach to eat mash potatoes again and the next time we plan on having mash potatoes is Thanksgiving.  Dear Zach, thanking you in advance for trying mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.      

 

Pumpkin Light Meltdown

We have this electric pumpkin we have been lighting at night, because it is October and Halloween is just around the corner.  Zach absolutely loves this pumpkin and is one of the main reasons why we have it on display.  So, the other day the light bulb blew out and Zach was not happy.  He started yelling, “The lights out, the lights out.  Fix it! Fix it!”  We did not have a spare bulb in the house and Zach started crying about the fact his pumpkin would not be lit for the night.  He wanted it fixed and he wanted it fixed now.  As much as we tried to explain and redirect him that the light could not be fixed at that very moment he continued to tail spin and spiral into an emotional meltdown. 

Thankfully I had to go to the grocery store to pick up a prescription so I invited Zach to come along and told him we could get a new light bulb.  We arrived at the store and found Zach’s bulb for the pumpkin.  We then were standing in line for my prescription, which seem to take forever.  Zach continued to hold the light bulb package and gripped so tight you would have thought it was the last light bulb available in the world.  Then without any provocation Zach stood next to me, put his hand on my shoulder and said, “I can’t believe it  dad…I can’t believe I cried for some pumpkin lights.”   “No sh*t” I said to myself…and Zach was quiet the rest of the night. 

Barnes and Noble

The book, A Road Less Traveled; A Father's Odyssey Through Autism, is now available at Barnes and Noble.  Here is the link http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-road-less-traveled-a-fathers-odyssey-through-autism-eric-griffith/1113317811?ean=9781480021907

Amazon Europe

I receive a lot of page views from people around the globe.  For those of you who live outside the United States and interested in purchasing my book it is available through Amazon Europe.  Take care everyone...Eric

The Book Amazon Link

Here is the link to the book on Amazon for purchase as a trade paperback or Kindle ebook.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+father%27s+odyssey+through+autism

The Book

The book, A Road Less Traveled; A Father's Odyssey Through Autism is now available for purchase through Smashwords at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/243434.  Through Smashwords you can purchase and download an electronic copy to devices, such as, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and others.

The BIG announcement is here!!!! The BOOK is HERE!!!!

If you have enjoyed reading the blog maybe you will also enjoy reading the book.  A Road Less Traveled; A Father’s Odyssey Through Autism, is now available for Amazon Kindle at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NFXQAE or trade paperback at https://www.createspace.com/4012861.

From the back cover: Zach was two months shy of his third birthday when he was diagnosed with autism and as he struggled to understand and adapt to the world around him, his father struggled to understand the diagnosis and the means to help him. Feeling devastated about his son, Eric's inability to cope and accept his son for the unique person he had become and not for the diagnosis he was given caused Eric to spiral into severe depression resulting in hospitalization.

In this story, Eric Griffith gives a real and honest view of raising a child with autism from a father's perspective and a family's effort to make a better future for their child. A Road Less Traveled chronicles the impact an autism diagnosis has on the family, the battle to find funding and programming, the conflict about what causes autism, testing of one's faith, coping with negative public perceptions, the fun and humor Zach brings to the lives around him, and providing hope for a child with disability that has no cure. This story will inspire, humor, and touch on every human emotion of all parents.

I Hope you enjoy it!!!!

 

BIG announcement is coming

A BIG announcement is coming soon from A Father's Odyssey Through Autism.  Stay tuned!

A Story About Autism in Russia

I recently read an article (link attached) about the plight of families raising a child with autism in Russia.  It made me appreciate the fact I am raising my child in the United States where there are many programs available, research being conducted for a cause and cure, and greater societal acceptance of those with disabilities.  The most disappointing or unfortunately part of the article were the negative comments regarding autism from those in positions of power, who could make a positive change on the lives of those living with a disability.  According to the article, a Moscow city official, Sergei Buyankin, was quoted as saying, “Hitler buried kids like this in the ground”, while speaking about a local private school that helps special needs children.  Note to Sergei Buyankin, come to America and say that about my kid, and I suggest you put on an athletic cup to protect your private parts.

In regards to societal stigmas or ignorance, the Moscow Aquarium refused to allow a group of autistic children admission, because “visitors do not like to see the disabled-it disappoints them.  It is unacceptable.”  To all Russian families raising a child with autism,  bring your kids to the United States and you can visit any aquarium you want.  We will start at the New England Aquarium in Massachusetts, go to the Atlanta Aquarium in Georgia, tour the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky, and finish at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in my home town of Columbus, Ohio.  You will not be refused or shunned at any of the facilities, and fun will be had by all without societal stigmas. 

Debby and I have always been appreciative that we live in the United States and have tremendous programs available to us for our son, because I could not imagine what our life and more importantly our son’s life would be like living in places like Russia.  The United States is not without individuals suffering from blatant ignorance either.  Debby and I have dealt with and confronted situations from others, such as, stares when our son is not behaving in public the way he should and comments from strangers as well.  For the most part, people in the United States have been very receptive and supportive of people on the autism spectrum.   

 http://en.rian.ru/features/20120910/175883233.html