Like many people, the author has spent the better part of his life fashioning a list of places he wanted to go and things he wanted to do. Because he is a typical American male, his "Bucket List" is mostly populated by sporting venues he wants to visit and sporting events he wants to witness. Sharing his "Bucket List" with his son would be a gift…

Established a half-century ago, Riverbrook Residence, home to 23 women with developmental disabilities, is the oldest facility of its kind in New England, and perhaps in the country. Indeed, Riverbrook's executive director Joan Burkhard's vision, together with the care and dedication of the staff and the women's families, have created a rare and…

Sometimes one of the most difficult parts of handling a life-altering event is not even knowing what needs to be accomplished, never mind what issues should be tackled first. There is no single set plan for any family, no "one size fits all" list of tasks to accomplish first. In this article the author, a mother of two children on the autism…

The First Congregational Church has a heart of mission. Yet, when the mission hits a situation that's personal and makes one squirm a bit, it becomes more of a challenge. Seven teams have been sent from the church to help the rebuilding in New Orleans. The first teams did the mucking, getting all of the belongings out of the house and putting them…

The author always looks forward to spring, and he's not the only person on the ASD spectrum who feels that way. Often, adult peers report on-line and in person that the relatively short days of winter add to feelings of depression. The beginning of spring means that the annual progress of sunlight from its December low to the June high has reached…

If one asks any family, or a group of families, to share their experience with religious communities or to talk about the impact of their child on their spirituality, the answers one gets are rarely lukewarm. If the trust is there, stories emerge about how incredibly important their faith or faith community has been, on the one hand, or perhaps…

The mother of an autistic child shares 10 tips for traveling with a handicapped child. (DB)

The author, a mother of Lauren, a three-year-old girl diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, describes her anxieties and worries in sending her daughter to preschool. She worried that Lauren's GFCF diet might not be followed and that she might regress with the overwhelming options and stimulation that school offered. The author describes her…

The author of this article, Lynne Glucoft, a self confessed chronic worrier, shares what she viewed as stressful events in her life before her son was diagnosed with autism, and then compares them to her present attitude toward stress. She explains that instead of feeling sorry for herself, and asking "Why me?" she has made a conscious decision to…

This brief article presents the author's experiences with her three autistic children. She tells of how caring for her autistic children is a tough responsibility, but it has made her see things with new eyes and made her life better. Although her hands may be full, it is full of joy.

A father writes about his experience and emotional relationship with his son who has autism and developmental delays, emphasizing his love of his son and pride in his son's achievements. The exploration of new emotions as a first-time father and the father's unconditional love for his child are noted. (PB)