Beaches & Cream

Yesterday (4/14/2007) I went on another awesome adventure with Memry and her adorable children (and a few other children). We went to Disney's Beach Club Resort for burgers and ice cream at the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. This fifties themed soda shop is the home of the famous "Kitchen Sink Sundae" that includes every flavor of ice cream in the place AND a kitchen sink!

So... if you know Memry you know she had to "Scrapbook" this whole trip. we ordered the famous KITCHEN SINK SUNDAE. It was presented to our table with flashing lights and an announcement bellowed across the soda shop by our server and everyone cheered. It was too cute! The kids were in awe of the whole presentation, let alone the enormity of the sundae itself. And let me just say that this sundae was impossible (for even 4 kids and 2 adults) to finish. It had every flavor of ice cream imaginable, brownies, muffins, angel food cake, candy bars, oreos, bananas, strawberries, chocolate/peanut butter/caramel/butterscotch syrups, whipped cream, nuts, cherries, and much MUCH more!

We had an awesome time! It was pretty far to drive for just ice cream, but the experience made it worth the effort. If you are ever in the area you have got to go eat at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop!

April is Autism Awareness Month

What is Autism Awareness Month?
Autism Awareness Month, celebrated every year in April, provides an opportunity for families, friends, and local communities to raise public awareness about autism. It is sponsored by the Autism Society of America (ASA).

What is autism?
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe. Autism was first identified in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins Hospital. At the same time, a German scientist, Dr. Hans Asperger, described a milder form of the disorder that is now known as Asperger Syndrome. These two disorders are listed in the DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as two of the five developmental disorders that fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorders. The others are Rett Syndrome, PDD NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. All of these disorders are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills and social abilities, and also by repetitive behaviors

What causes autism?
There is no single known cause for autism. However, it is generally agreed that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans have shown differences in the shape and structure of the brain in children with autism when compared to those without the condition. Researchers are investigating a number of theories, including a link between heredity, genetics, and birth-related medical problems. Psychological factors are not believed to be the cause of autism.

How is autism treated?
Experts agree that early intervention is important in addressing the symptoms associated with autism. Most professionals also agree that individuals with autism respond well to highly structured, specialized education programs that are designed to meet the individual's particular needs. In any treatment plan, it is important for family members and treatment providers to address areas of social skill development, communication, behavior, and sensory integration.

Jessica's Baby Shower...

Who is This Man?

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION

IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE

IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM

SO...

WHO IS HE?

HE IS JESUS!

Reality Check

...When parents learn their child has a disability, they often react to it as if their child is dying a horrible disease. Although the child is alive and well, certain hopes, dreams, and ambitions they had for that child’s future are dead. In order to help their child, parents must grieve, rage, and finally move toward acceptance. This process is mirrored in the child with the disability. Like his/her parents, the child with the disability must find a way to accept his/her unique combination of strengths and weaknesses. The person with the disability must come to the fact that his/her life may never be ordinary, but it may be extraordinary!

Yesterday, I met parents who adopted a young child from an orphanage in Guatemala. They thought they were getting the PERFECT child. However, 2 years later, they find out he has a moderate learning disability.

I found myself choking back tears as I was telling them that their child would never learn the way other children do; that their child would have to be taught strategies to work around the memory and processing centers in the brain that do not function as “normal” people’s do... The parents were devastated. They had a difficult time wrapping their minds around this concept. I think that they were more upset that their child was going to be “labeled” for life (the mom said that)… Which makes sense, but how could they have such a negative outlook? Why not be realistic and deal with the issue at hand? The earlier you intervene, the better of a chance the child has at overcoming the learning disability and gaining appropriate strategies for successful learning…

...How would you feel if you were these parents?

Jimmy Gave In

So tonight Jimmy created a blog. I am excited. Now he can take all of the wonderful and intelligent things he thinks and put them out there for the world to read! He has too much good stuff inthere to keep it all to himself.