Winther Bikes

Good news autism parents whose kids don't ride bikes. There is something called a Winther bike for special needs kids thatyour child may get the knack of. None of those fakity-fake life is perfect with autism blogs would have told you that!

They go for about 500 bucks, though, so wow, yeah.

Last night at my son's Youg Athletes practice they had a few and for the first time after countless efforts, he actually pedaled! Now he didn't go roaring off and take a few laps and pass Lance Armstrong, which is what my co-bloggers kids probabaly did, but he did pedal and slowly make his way over a few obstacles he was not supposed to run over. I was proud of him. He seemed to lose interest here and there and would stop pedaling but then he would resume and slowly pedal away again.

There is better balance on the Winther bike and the pedals move themselves and yr kid justneeds to keep his feet on, then eventually manipulate the pedals themselves and presto, he's riding a bike

By the way, for those not in the know, Young Athletes is the Special Olympics training camp for 2-7 year olds. Because Special Olympics starts at age 8.

Now, I am proud to say thatIan is a strong, fast, coordinated boy. So much so, that I attempted to get him to play soccer. I maybe jumped the gun with that one because self-directed andco pliant are a few things he still needs to work on. So, while the other kids were doing drills kicking the ball down the field (wow, are those other 4-year-olds?), Ian was spinning around in circles in the field. Anddon't askabout gameday,thenoise, the excitement. He threw a fit, did not wantto be there at all.

But now, thanks to Young Athletes he is learning to throw and kick and jump on cue. He's getting there.

What Plastic Barbie Doll Ranks These Things Anyway?

I don't want to be a complete bitch here but then again why change the tone of this blog now? haha. But seriously folks, I have been asking myself lately what makes a good autism blog. I went to Google with my question. That is when I learned that for one thing, good bloggers proofread so that's the first place I am messing up. But then I was disgusted to find out the the blogs with the most followers and highest ratings are upbeat, humorous, and pleasant.

Now, personally, I think those are a hell of a restraint when we are blogging about our children's disabilities. I feel pressure from society, as a blogger, to always write about the bright side of a topic that for the affected parent is PAINFUL. To be honest. It is painful. It hurts. It makes me cry-for myself because I don't know what to do, and for my son because I don't know what awaits him. I try to remember to mention in my prayers all the little boys whose parents don't understand them.

But in order to break into the autism blog ratings, I've got to put a pretty bow on this shit. That's another thing top bloggers don't do, they don't swear alot.

Toy Swords and Real Autism Blogs Continued

I bought Riley a styrofoam toy sword for his birthday. He loves it. There is some gene that males carry that make them instinctually know what to do with a sword bc I haven't taught him how to sword fight but somehow he just knows.

Anyway, I went to get Riley out of the tub which he hates. He did his usual waving of his chubby little arms and wailing as I reached for him. Then I saw this spark in his eye as he remembered his sword. He shot to the side really quick and grasped his sword lifting it up in front of him at me triumphantly and swinging it around. Like the sword was going to fend me off. So cute.

Also, a note on my last blog. I did find some autism blogs that read like the real thing. They are not all parents of high functioning kids with few frustrations who are preparing themselves for canonization. Some of them are helpful and tell it like it is. Which is more comforting, you know, to read how a parent struggled with something but you read a later entry and they finally found a solution for themselves.

Some autism blogs are so fakity-fake, I wonder if it's more of a munchausen blog than an autism one. Seriously, if your kid talks and is in the regular classroom, what are your concerns? Your kid has blended! I don't see how that can still qualify as autism. Maybe you are one of those misdiagnosed cases I am always hearing about.

That is just me venting my frustrations and maybe a little jealousy for those high functioning types.