Today I submitted my July article for Autism Today. My column is titled ‘Beyond The Spectrum. This amazing opportunity allows me to share stories, tips, resources and so much more.

For my July column titled ‘What’s in an Acronym?’ I wanted to focus on the learning curve to learn acronyms as we weave our way through the Autism maze.

A few acronyms on the spectrum and more that are closely related (but not necessarily an ASD):
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
AS (Asperger’s Syndrome)
DAS (Developmental Apraxia of Speech)
DD (Developmental Disabilities)
DH (Developmentally Handicapped)
DVD (Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia)
HFA (High-functioning Autism)
LD (Learning Disabled)
MR (Mentally Retarded)
MSDD (MultiSystem Developmental Disorder)
NT (Neurologically Typical) (non-Autistic)
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Disorders Associated with Strep)
PDD (Pervasive Development Disorder)
PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified)
SI (Sensory Integration) and, occasionally for (Speech Impairment),
SIB (Self-Injurious Behavior)
SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder)
SSS (Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome)
TS (Tourette’s Syndrome)

To learn more about Autism Today, my column and the columns of many more fabulous contributors you’ll want to go here: http://www.autismathomeseries.com/Home.html

TTFN (ta-ta for now)
~Rhonda

This story was shared with me a few days ago. It moved me so much that I asked the mother if she would grant her permission to share it with you!

Her response, “I don’t mind at all. As my son grows older, the more that I am getting immersed in Autism needs and causes. Meeting people like you is heaven sent.”

Her story, “My son, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, had one of his episodes last Monday. We talked and told him the consequences of his actions. That night he texted me and said “I love you Mama”. My heart melted, my soul sang… there is nothing like it.”

Isn’t is magical when our special children “get it” and have those positive moments that truly melt us? Instead of focusing on those episodes when we lose sight of reality, isn’t it more healthy to focus and nurture the child within during the clear moments?

If YOU have a story you would like to share I would LOVE to hear it and share it with others. I am always looking for good material for my monthly column for Autism Today. My column title is ‘Beyond The Spectrum.’ The Autism at home Series has a global readership of over 100,000. YOUR message could change many lives!

Thank you in advance,
Rhonda

Today I reflected back to the days before Legos, Bakugans, K’Nex and Transformers invaded my life. I wondered what could have ever given me such joy! As a child growing up on a farm with two younger brothers I was exposed to ‘boy-type’ toys but never became very proficient at Legos.

Now, thanks to the expertise of my sons, I can create a pretty good building with Legos, pick out a “cool” Bakugan, design a decent alien with K’nex and even transform cars into creatures… all with minimal help.

This morning I celebrated mother’s day with my husband and sons and was treated to a homemade breakfast of bacon, eggs, hash browns, English muffins and orange juice. I was also surrounded by a variety of invaders who who teamed up together to wish me happy mother’s day! Such a gift could only be provided by boys who are willing to grant a pass into their world of make believe!

Today, as YOU enjoy your mother’s day, I pray that you are surrounded by the magical imagination usually granted only to children. I pray that you are invaded by mystical beings who bring joy to you and warm your heart.

And I pray that today, even if only today – you will play like you are a child, love like you’ve never loved before and live like today will never end… Happy Mother’s Day!

Please join me May 7th @ 6 pm Pacific: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Ilumine-Ao with Al Diaz if you can. The subject: Autism Awareness.
Call in # (347) 826-7680
You can also chat online with us. I will try to answer as many questions as possible!

Ilumine Ao Insightful Talk Radio on Blog Talk Radio
Source: www.blogtalkradio.com
To heal bless and empower as many people as possible including my Self that triggers shift and change ascension through Love newer higher raised levels of awareness discover newer dimensions that represent …

It can seem (at times) that your little prodigy is bound to become the first child to get their doctorate at fourteen. At other times (and you know what I mean) you find yourself wondering if you can make it until the end of the day!

How in the world does one cope with a child who must be supervised at all times to prevent an ‘experiment’ with electrical wires “to see what would happen,” or a test in the microwave “because the fire looked pretty.”

Keeping the mind of an average child focused is a job in and of itself. Keeping the mind of a child with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder focused can be like trying to teach a group of farm chickens to ballroom dance!

There are days when no amount of bribery can crack through the wall that my son has built around himself and I have to stop and realize that the more I push the more he’s going to push back. Eventually we both lose. I’ve also learned that when I lose control and raise my voice or my hand I am the one who has lost. It’s not fair to him and not fair to push him to the point that I lose control.

What I’ve learned: schedule everything. Everything has a time and a place and the routine seldom changes. Then life happens and messes your “plans” all up but, if you try to stay on task, it’s much easier to look at the clock and keep things moving in a direction that your child has come to understand and accept.

A few more helpful tips:

• Talk slower, firmer and directly to the point.
• Don’t waste your time adding in ten or twelve adjectives to try and impress your child. They don’t usually care anyway. They either want to be a part of game or they don’t
• Explain the rules simply and completely. Don’t repeat them over and over. Only explain the rules when you are asked to. Chances are that when they are silent they are processing the data you just gave them. Give them a few more minutes to process.
• After a few minutes ask for some type of confirmation that they “get” the program, the plan or the rules. This usually when they will ask for further detail.
• Always answer with logic. “Because I said so” just doesn’t work for a child with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. If you don’t want soup cooked in the microwave – still in the can – you need to explain the reason why. If you do not explain the dangers your child will likely try his experiment again.
• Give limited numbers of choices – two or three – when offering options to your child. Trying to assimilate more than three choices takes several steps:
• Input choices
• Analyze logic of each choice
• Format logic rule out non-logical choices
• Re-analyze remaining choices and prioritize
• Prioritize choices based on benefits of each
• Determine specific benefits and on and on….
And we wonder why we can’t get an answer in less than five minutes!
• Use creative methods to keep their attention focused on what you are trying to explain. I will often interject animals as part of my “program” – just for fun.
For example, I will say, “We will be going to the grocery store in 15 minutes. I need you to have your shoes on because the hyenas will be running lose today.” He will hear the word hyenas and usually hurry to do as I have asked him to!
Always include plenty of ‘transition time’ to avoid a melt down. An overload of expectations without time to prepare for change can create an immense amount of additional, unnecessary stress for both of you!
• Add some kind of activity to look forward to. Grocery shopping is seldom at the top of the list for my boys so a game we will play includes them helping me “find” items on each isle. I will usually make it challenging, where they have to find specific size and / or name brand. At 7 and 9, by boys are pretty good little shoppers but it wasn’t always that way!
• Encourage your child to have greater responsibilities. Give them opportunities to purchase items – all on their own.
• Include plenty of accolades for every good deed and successful experience. As they learn that they can do something well they will lose their fears to try new things.
• If and when you notice the same reaction happening more than 50% of the time – the pattern has been formed by your child. If it is a good reaction, try to build upon it and add more steps into the process.
For example, if your child is successfully responding to a 2 and 3 step procedure when you include the words, “Hop like a rabbit and put your socks and shoes on, please,” then you might want to try, “Hop like a rabbit and put your socks and shoes on and grab your backpack and jacket, please.”
As they successfully complete additional steps add more until they can be help responsible for more complicated requests. And, always, reward them with praise. Children on the spectrum generally respond well to praise and acceptance.
• Keep your promises and don’t make threats you don’t intent to follow through with. For example, if you tell you child you will take him to the pool after school then you should not let him down.
Likewise, if you tell you child that he or she will lose privileges if they don’t complete their chores you need to specify which privileges and follow through. Always try to encourage them to do their best. If and when they reach a point to where they are giving up it is a long battle to help them back up the hill.
• Teach your child a variety of ways to cope with overload situations. For my son, reading a book works to pacify him. At just about any location it’s acceptable for him to pull out his book and begin reading or even just look at the pictures. This helps to take his mind of the situation that is bothering him.
• Work hard to explain, by example, what is and what is not considered to be acceptable behavior. For example, I have used my arm as a “measuring stick” to explain the comfort zone that most people have. Based on this I explain that he needs to stay out of other people’s “zone.”
• Above all, tell and show your child in as many ways as you can how much you love and accept them – just as they are. When someone experience abandonment as a child they usually struggle with self-esteem issues their entire life. Children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder have enough to deal with already!

Real HEATH comes after real HEALING. WHAT does that mean and HOW and WHERE do you begin?
Before you can begin to heal your body it is imperative to understand the job your immune system performs.

The first step to healing your body begins with the removal of the poisonous toxins harboring there.
The third step is to build up the immune system with the proper nutrients that will help the body to perform at it’s best.

WHAT is the immune system?
The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs all together throughout the body to protest the body from toxins and foreign objects. Toxins can be found in inhaled particles and fumes; ingested food and non-food items, injected vaccines and drugs and toxins can even be passed down from mother to child

When the immune system overreacts to certain stimuli or does not perform at the proper level allergies and diseases can become the result. When the immune system overacts to something that should be ignored and attacks itself the results can include autoimmune disorders.

When the body is attacked by metals and chemicals, the toxin overload can weaken the immune system. Candida issues, enhanced allergy symptoms, leaky-gut syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorders can become the result.

DO you suspect toxic poisoning?
Symptoms of toxic poisoning can include: learning disabilities, nervousness, depression, irritability, personality changes, muscle tremors, jerky gait, spasms to the extremities, inflammation of mouth and gums, swelling of salivary glands, excessive saliva flow, loose teeth and kidney damage.
Thimerosal, a mercury-containing compound added to the flu shot and many vaccines as a preservative, crosses the blood-brain barrier and results in significant mercury levels being stored in the brain. Thimerosal can induce cell death and degeneration, membrane damage, and DNA damage within hours after being exposed.

HOW do you remove toxins from you body?
You can increase your glutathione levels. Glutathione is the body’s own toxin remover. You have 100% guaranteed results with only one: MaxGxl, created by Dr. Robert Keller. He was granted two of the seven compositional patents ever granted to a nutritional product. My son had subtle improvements within three weeks, substantial in seven weeks and continues to improve.

Cilantro and chlorella are known for removing mercury. We take NDF ® (stands for Natural Detox Formula.) 1-3 drops daily.
Green beans, strawberries and zucchini squash also help to naturally remove heavy metals. Add / increase in your diet.

HOW do you build an healthy immune system?
ADD two servings of fatty seafood weekly: sardines, salmon, herring or mackerel. Reduces the risk of heart disease, also.
ADD omegas 3-6 and 9: found in fish, walnuts, flaxseeds and canola oil. Too little fat can weaken the immune system.
ADD zinc to strengthen white blood cells and the immune system. White blood cells, cannot function without zinc.
ADD a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the day to boost your immune system. Helps to fight some cancers
ADD vitamin C, a natural detoxifier. Adults can take up to 8 Grams daily. Helps with inflammation and chronic diseases also
ADD more onions and garlic to your diet. Both are known to help fend off colds and fight cancer.
ADD yoghurt, with produces a natural virus fighter called gamma interferon. Yoghurt helps fend off colds Candida.
ADD more pure water. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water to flush your body of toxins. You’ll have healthier skin also.
REDUCE processed sugar of all colors and kinds. Replace with natural sweeteners, fruit juice and honey. Candida feeds on sugar.
REDUCE or eliminate soda, especially sugar free. Two sodas per day lowers your cold-busting immune cells by 40%.
REDUCE or eliminate most preservatives (BHA, BHT & TBHQ) and artificial food colorings. They are made with petroleum!
ELIMINATE Aspartame, NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure – they are made up of 40% Aspartic Acid (an amino acid that kills neurons), 50% Phenylalanine (causes depression) and 10% Methanol (a.k.a. wood alcohol/poison).
FYI: Directly from the FDA: 92 health “issues” are directly linked to aspartame – including death.

Rhonda Spellman
On a Mission to Reach, Teach and Inspire Children with Autism and the Adults Who Love Them!