Of accidental carpools and autism conversations

As Autism Awareness Month (April) nears, I realize of late I've not posted much about autism, one of my blog's cornerstone topics. But having said quite a lot since 2019, is there really anything new? The answer? Of course! There always is, in my ongoing journey as a parent with a special needs kid. At … Continue reading Of accidental carpools and autism conversations

My Monday Metrical Musings #78

low angle shot of a child held by woman and man on on each hand walking on an unpaved pathway outdoors

Don't stop walking I see youI doI hope you can knowSomedayThat I felt your daddy's heartacheAs he led you firmly by the handWalking nondescript down the laneHoping no one sees you twoHoping if not to endThen to at least fadeOut of sight Out of mindFrom prying eyes and furtive stares You looked miserable in your … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #78

Ahead of Mother’s Day: One stay home mom and her special needs story (Part 2)

Hey glad you’re back in this special Mother's Day stay home mom tribute! Last week, my guest writer Sarah left us with a cliff-hanger – the outcome of the first formal intervention her eldest boy had. Today, we continue from there with the rest of her testimony. (Also available in this podcast episode) "How long … Continue reading Ahead of Mother’s Day: One stay home mom and her special needs story (Part 2)

Ahead of Mother’s Day: One stay home mom and her special needs story (Part 1)

silhouette photo of a mother carrying her baby at beach during golden hour

Today, I have the honour to introduce a new guest to my blog. Her name is Sarah Lee-Wong Mayfern, and she's both a great educator and a wonderful fellow stay home mom. (Click here and here for previous guests' posts on my blog) Like me, Sarah is a stay home parent. She has three kids, … Continue reading Ahead of Mother’s Day: One stay home mom and her special needs story (Part 1)

My Monday Metrical Musings #51

All over Splash!Just like thatHis morning milkAll over Clap!Palm on browMy morning calm spilledAll over Splat!Dry rag wet floorMe down on all foursAll over Drip!Milk-soaked clothBack-forth sink-floorAll over Fume!Rage boilingThreatening near eruptingAll over Sigh!Another day Self-care neededAll over.

Daily living with autism #1: It’s about small wins!

a soccer ball on the grass

"Daddy, look!" It was a typical weekday evening, an hour before dinner time. That's when I usually take C for some outdoor play. What we in my family sometimes refer to as his "eye-care" time, away from home screens and out where nature and distant sights of the world await. The ground outside was fairly … Continue reading Daily living with autism #1: It’s about small wins!

Do I say “my son HAS autism” or “my son IS autistic”? It’s really up to him

Photo by Alireza Attari on Unsplash It was rather unexpected. There we were, at what was only our third or fourth meeting in 2019. As mentioned in an earlier post, this rag-tag bunch of fathers who have special needs children, were still getting to know each other. Gathering to bond over shared parenting experiences and … Continue reading Do I say “my son HAS autism” or “my son IS autistic”? It’s really up to him

Even with special needs dads, it’s still about men ‘doing’ not ‘being’

Photo by MD Duran on Unsplash This is a cautionary tale about what happens when men come together. Cautionary, at least, for men like me who are more into 'being' than 'doing'. Let me explain. I still remember the meetings. A few of us fathers with special needs children started coming together in 2019 to … Continue reading Even with special needs dads, it’s still about men ‘doing’ not ‘being’

My Monday Metrical Musings #16

man carrying baby drawing their foreheads

Autism happens daily Autism happens dailyIt never goes away.Ten years have passed soDon't tell me It'll leave.That you got no right to say. For I see itI live itI breathe itEvery single day. With my sonHis toy road humpsSprawled on this floor Or that tableEvery which way. Autism happens dailyIt never goes away.We're still learning … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #16

ASD Book Review #3: “Dad, is my ‘exile’ into the land of autism eternal?”

shallow focus photography of man wearing red polo shirt

This is potentially the "mother" of all autism questions! And were you to ask me if there was another more frightening one for a parent, I honestly can't think of it right now. All I know is that this question never crossed my mind before. Not until I came across it recently in an account … Continue reading ASD Book Review #3: “Dad, is my ‘exile’ into the land of autism eternal?”