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Amanda, the creator and writer for Life Is A Spectrum, began her blog as a way to interact with parents of autistic children, but has turned it into so much more.
What inspired you to start blogging?
I was a journalist and editor for over a decade before my kids were born, so writing has always been my outlet. But around the time of Billy’s autism diagnosis, I had stopped working. To be honest, I had almost stopped communicating with adults altogether.
I was looking for a way to deal with the stress and emotional overload of the “A-word” and I started writing, shared my words with a few people, and the idea of a blog came up. My husband is a web programmer, so he set up a page for me, and the results were an amazing surprise to me. I found a community of supportive parents, writers and friends with whom I’ve unexpectedly formed really strong bonds. We laugh — and occasionally cry — together, and since I started vlogging once a week, we can even have coffee together.
Our family joke is that I’ve made “over-sharing” my profession now.
How did you come up with the title of your blog?
I had been pondering the question of a good blog title, and then I wrote a blog post called “Life is a Spectrum” a couple of months ago to put our family philosophy about autism into words. My husband read it and said, “That’s your blog title.” And he was right. (Don’t tell him, but he usually is.)
Autism is described as “autism spectrum disorder” because those diagnosed can be described as “low functioning” to “high functioning” and everything in between. I think those labels makes these unique people sound a bit like household appliances, but it’s a way of describing the variation in communication challenges, social dysfunction, physical and emotional challenges that face autistic kids and adults.
Well, we’re all on a spectrum. “Normal” is certainly a spectrum. As is happiness and satisfaction and acceptance. From day to day, throughout life, depending upon what we’re dealing with, we slide back and forth across these spectrums and that’s OK. Our family lives with the autism spectrum every day, but we are on the joy spectrum most days too. And we’re very highly functioning on that one.
What message would you like to get out about autism?
A couple of things: First of all, there are as many ways to be autistic as there are to be human. Each autistic child and adult is unique. Their strengths, challenges, favorites, pet peeves are uniquely their own. In fact, uninhibited by social convention and unfazed by peer pressure, they often develop interests and hobbies that you’d never expect or make connections between thoughts and ideas that a neurotypical brain might not see. Rainman may or may not represent one person on the spectrum — but that character certainly isn’t representative of this fascinating population.
Secondly, there is real joy after autism diagnosis. Real joy. Not the oh-bless-them-they’re-making-the-best-of-it bargain basement kind of joy, but laugh-out-loud, gut-busting top shelf quality joy. In many ways, I feel like my capacity for joy, for recognizing its potential in small victories, expanded a hundred-fold when I became the mother of my mysterious and intriguing autistic child.
If I gave you $200 to go shopping for yourself what would you buy?
Ten hours of babysitting and five movies for myself and my husband! I’d leave the kids in the capable hands of our awesome babysitter, Shannon (and no, you can’t have her number: She’s MINE! All MINE!) who has this magical ability to transform both my children into adoring, obedient little cherubs — for her alone. And then Dave and I would decamp to a darkened theater … where we would probably fall asleep immediately.
Do you see more children in your future?
If you mean can I see them walking past our house with their bedraggled parents in tow, then, I suppose, yes. If you’re asking whether I can imagine starting over with pregnancy, middle-of-the-night feedings, potty training, etc., then I lose my breath in the speed with which I state most emphatically NO. Nada. Not a chance. With Willow’s birth, the ‘Feet family circle’ became complete.
I have so much respect for people with huge families, but parenthood has taught me a few important lessons. First of all, I like sleep. Secondly, children do not like sleep. Thirdly, when they get old enough to play ball with their dad in the yard, I get to sleep.
Love it! Be sure to give Amanda lots of comment love today and don’t forget, you have all week to enter and win in our Canon Rebel T2i Giveaway!
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Aw, I love her perspective – so refreshing. And what a great blog title and the reasoning behind it. Well done Amanda.
Tweeted.
Love reading blogs like this! It helps raise awareness for those with autism.
What a beautiful blog!
Awesome!
With a reaction like that, you know Shannon is pretty good. If we all band together, we can steal her for ourselves.
Looking forward to reading – late – this blog.
LIsaDay
off to check her out^^
xoxo
This was a great post, thanks for sharing a little about yourself and your blog, going over now to check it out! ๐
Happy Humpday!
I am feeling very down in the dumps today…
Happy Wednesday, everyone!
You make a difficult journey a happy one x
Im totally going to check it out. Anyone else participation in NaBlaPoMo? I am stuck!!
So positive and happy – I can’t wait to read more from Amanda!
I got inspired to blog because *1 I love writing and *2 I wanted to reach out and communicate. That’s it…
Beautiful photos and beautiful blog!
Sounds like a fantastic blog! By the way, I’ve been meaning to say that you’re doing a great job introducing the featured bloggers Kat. You can really see your stamp, so to speak, in these posts. Have a great day SITStas. ๐
Kristi, Live and Love…Out Loud
@TweetingMama
Love to see one of my tribe members featured! I’m so glad there are women like you to share this spectrumy life with.
Looks like a very interesting blog! Can’t wait to check it out. ๐
New Posts:
*Christmas dress ideas for little girls
*Inspiring Orange
*A yummy recipe I made for a girl lunch
and so much more!
It’s 11:00 pm – still Tuesday! Amanda is beautiful. I’m off to read her blog!
(…and pick me for the camera, okay? thanks.)
I first ran across the FB just a few days ago…how great that she is having her SITS day today!
It’s still Tuesday (oh my God, it’s only TUESDAY?) and I made it in to comment before bed. I consider that a major victory.
love from Chicago,
Keely
What a great article! Such a sweet family!
I can tell already what a great writer Amanda is!
What a great cite. Love the name.
I have a number of freinds with kids who are on “the spectrum”
I will enjoy having a visit to see this blog.
PS when i signed up to go on the list for my SITS day my blog address was http://greatfun4kids.blogspot.com
but now I have my own domain… will that be a problem for you finding me?
http://greatfun4kidsblog.com now – not too different ๐
Love this! Your boys are so cute!
I can’t imagine living with an autistic child… how natural care is multiplied in so many ways… you have a great attitude and a tough job… my prayers are with you… the family is gorgeous… come visit when you can…
Happy Tuesday!!Been sick here! cant wait to check out the FB!!
love the title…excited to go take a peek!
OH Lord…she is my friend and I can’t believe that I am this late to the party on her big day!!!
She is VERY talented!
Yay Amanda!
She’s the biggity biggity bomb!…
That makes me sound old, doesn’t it?
Getting ready to check out the featured blogger. A little later than usual, but at least I am here. :0)
I agree with you on the sleep thing! And, great blog!
your blog looks very interesting. will be stopping by now. =)
What an awesome blog!
Voted AND made roll call… I’m on a roll!
What a wonderful blog!
Happy Tuesday!
I’m sure this blog is able to reach so many families! What a great way to connect with other families going through the same joys and struggles.
Off to check her out! Well, at least her blog. Oh, nevermind, I shouldn’t type when sleep deprived!
Amanda sounds adorable and what a fabulous blog name…..I love it! xx
I am off to check out her site. I am trying to raise amareness for Neurofibromatosis (NF) on mine, come and help me by reading.
Mud Pies For Mommy
http://www.mudpiesformommy.com
A great title for a blog – and a great philosophy. Going for a look right now.
Being that I have a son who is on the spectrum, I am excited to check out this blog.
Love her platform. Excellent. Can’t wait to go over and say hi to her.
I like the title of your blog. (My hubby is almost always right, too! grr!) My nephew is also autistic, and he is a blessing to the family.
Did you go out and vote today??