I am the father to a great 11 year old boy who is on the spectrum and an 8 year old girl who is neurotypical. I work for the Department of Defense and run a autism support group with my lovely wife.

Picture?type=normal

...was having a good day.

West Haven, UT

We've had some "crazy busy" days here in the house and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. A little over a week away, we'll be teaching law enforcement what they need to know about autism and hopefully teach something that will help save a life. I really consider it an honor to do this for my community, my way of giving back I guess. I only pray that the message is heard and understood and maybe, just maybe helps the officer in the field help someone in need.

posted 6 days ago

add a comment hug (3)

Picture?type=normal

...was having a good day.

West Haven, UT

I stand amazed with the love people show for the mom and dad who are new to the world of autism. I've started a little project and the responses I've received have been overwhelming but also so heartwarming. The thoughtful, heartfelt messages have been wonderful and I can't wait to read more.

posted 16 days ago

add a comment hug (1)

383862_307640329258926_100000388850314_1036564_1147312973_n

wendykailey said:

Thats awesome..... We are from utah too. What a small world. If you have any info on resources please share....would love to be able to figure this all out. My son was diagnosed a year ago and we are still very foggy on things.

posted 16 days ago

Glad to meet you @wendykailey, here's a little information about us and I'd love to help you out any way we can. http://faastutah.weebly.com/ We are in the Ogden area, but if there are resources you need a lot closer to you than Ogden, Salt Lake, etc, let me know and I'll do some homework! It's nice to meet you!

posted 16 days ago

383862_307640329258926_100000388850314_1036564_1147312973_n

wendykailey said:

THanks so much. Thats great. We live in sigurd with is south central utah.(sevier county) We don't have any resources down here. There is little education in the school district about ASD kids and I have to go to orem for therapy, speech, ect. Any Help you could extend would be awesome!

posted 16 days ago

Imgc

SarahK said:

I have a website for families new to disabilities with a lot of ASD information and several publications I have written. Also information on IEPs and books to read. www.wellworththejourney.org Let me know if I can help in any way!!

posted 16 days ago

383862_307640329258926_100000388850314_1036564_1147312973_n

wendykailey said:

@SarahK Thanks so much. I will check out this site. I need all the help I can get. Our school system is NO help and I don't know alot about IEPs. Our OT helps with behavior, sleep and eating issues but other than that we don't get much support and we have to drive 240 miles 2xs a month for therapy. I do have to say, Our OT is well worth the drive!!!!

posted 16 days ago

Picture?type=normal

...was having a good day.

West Haven, UT

Very excited about a partnership our organization F.A.A.S.T. is entering into with another organization called Play4Autism! We have some great things coming up for here in Utah, and it is simply incredible how autism can bring so many people together with the goal of making a difference!

posted 30 days ago

add a comment hug

Dad's_gcrt_08_08_08_pics_007

ycgoingsouth said...

West Point, UT

Please check out my website, its a non profit org for women, I have a river trip planned for "mother's of autistic children" June 9-12. I know its hard to get away but everyone needs a "time-out" come join us or pass the word. It is a funded trip, we have great supporters and fundraising went well. www.soulreclipse.com

posted about 1 month ago

add a comment hug

Picture?type=normal

...was having a good day.

West Haven, UT

I know I've said this before, but I want to thank @Mary, @Eric and the rest of the @MyAutismTeam team for providing a venue for parents like you and I to share experiences, laugh and cry and find hope in a world that can often be so lonely. I'm grateful to each of you for making this possible!

posted about 1 month ago

add a comment hug (2)

Picture?type=square

Me2 said:

Yes thank you!

posted about 1 month ago

Imgc

SarahK said:

DITTO:):):)

posted about 1 month ago

4_mini

lleasure05 said:

Yes THANK YOU!!!!!

posted about 1 month ago

Picture?type=square

Eric said:

Thank you all very much! We're grateful to get to know you all!

posted about 1 month ago

Picture?type=normal

...was having a good day.

West Haven, UT

When I look back at the end of my days, my biggest accomplishments will have called me Dad. I'm certainly blessed.

posted about 1 month ago

add a comment hug (1)

Picture?type=normal

...was having a good day.

West Haven, UT

Getting ready for my presentation to the Autism Council of Utah this coming Thursday and to say I'm "geeked" doesn't tell the story of how very excited I am to have this opportunity. Really looking forward to sharing and grateful to my friend and President of the ACU Laura Anderson for allowing this dad come be a part of the ACU. Crazy week ahead, but onward and upward.

On much more exciting news, Kian has been doing great the past few weeks. Even with the change in routine (no school for the break), he has really been terrific. He's been able to cope a lot better, has only had a few meltdowns and has been very much a go with the flow type of guy. Proud papa!

posted about 1 month ago

add a comment hug

Picture?type=normal

...was having a good day.

West Haven, UT

Excited about a call I just received, from a friend of mine with the local sheriffs office. He told me the state sheriffs association has invited the two of us to host our class on autism and law enforcement. As we have just launched this program, both of us take great pride in the fact that we are helping bring awareness to our men and women first responders.

posted about 1 month ago

add a comment hug

Picture?type=square

Dandelion82 said:

That is fantastic news. Thanks for all you do. This will benefit everyone in the community greatly!

posted about 1 month ago

Thank you for the very kind words @Dandelion82. I'm just doing my part, the real thanks goes to the Weber County Sheriff's Office here in Utah for helping with this. Without them, I'd be spinning my wheels. With them, we've got a voice with the officers. I'm grateful to have that great connection.

posted about 1 month ago

Picture?type=normal

...was having a good day.

West Haven, UT

Hope everyone had a great day "Lighting it up Blue", but let's not stop when the date turns.
http://faastutah.weebly.com/the-faast-blog.html

posted about 1 month ago

add a comment hug

Picture?type=normal

...was having a good day.

West Haven, UT

Very excited to have a great day watching my little girl perform so well at her dance competition, have our boy be terrific even with all the sensory overload he must have been having, and to see this, the story from our Autism: Coming of Age event from this past week! Enjoy!
http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/03/31/wsu-seminar-more-autistic-adults-looming-issue

posted about 1 month ago

add a comment hug