I just added an app on my EVO for blogger! Because I do not habe internet at home this is great! I will be updating frequently now and i'm sure there will be a lot of spelling errors so bear with me.
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Monday, August 2, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Soldiers
Because no one follows this blog except me, I guess I write all of this stuff for me. There is always that slim chance that someone comes across this blog and it makes sense to them in some way. When people see the logo I designed, I get a lot of reactions. Most of them are the raised-eyebrows and oh-that's-nice-but-I-have-no-freaking-clue-what-you-are-talking-about look, but there are people out there that get it right away. Those who understand are parents, teachers, therapists, or grandparents and sometimes one of the above with experience in the military-all who have, know, and/or love someone with ASD and/or SPD. That rare breed understands right away--they look at the logo and nod their head---'nuff said.
The concept for Sensory Assault Operations is rooted in the fact that I always said that my son was not merely sensory seeking---he was on a "sensory mission." I said that right from the SPD diagnosis get-go. The concept stewed and grew over several years until a perfect alignment of somethings sparked Sensory Assault Operations and the Sensory Assault Pack. Gear for kids on a sensory mission. Right on! I wouldn't be creating and developing most of the products in my line myself, but I would be putting together tools that have either helped me or other people I know in their daily mission of coping with SPD. They would all be affordable and in one place so that it could help take some of the guesswork out of this murky journey through SPD-land. The "Sensory Assault" part of our operations stems from the Air Assault badge that the Army awards to soldiers; these soldiers complete a grueling course which teaches them how to sling-load large vehicles and pallets onto a helicopter and how to conduct an assault from a helicopter. Pretty damn cool. And empowering-which is what is behind Sensory Assault Operations. The wings on our logo signify the flight/assault part of the training while the brain is the center of the central nervous system and is the control center and ground zero for ASD and SPD. It is a visual representation of our company. I am a busy person, a busy mom, a busy pastry chef, a busy business owner, just busy. My son is growing older and I wanted him to start learning how to meet his own sensory needs in appropriate ways.
I see our kids as soldiers in this battle against sensory needs. We have to arm ourselves and our kids with the physical and emotional equipment necessary to accomplish this sensory mission: Acquiring the full and independent ability to manage, cope, and develop the necessary ways to deal with the sensory issues that will never leave our children no matter how old they get. They will have to find ways to deal with them and not let them take over their lives. Sensory Assault Operations is the first step on the journey to accomplishing this mission.
As a spouse of a soldier who has been in harms way many times, I have been rooted steadfastly in the idea that only soldiers can be soldiers---there is no other type of person that can qualify to fit that title. But I am beginning to change my mind about that. What our soldiers do for our country is incredible, I would never demean that and it takes a special person to do what they do. Our SPD kids are special. Most people couldn't imagine going through what they go through each day--finding any way they can to orient themselves enough to function in the "normal" world that surrounds them AND still meet the educational standards set for them. I'm also beginning to see myself as a soldier. I don't carry a gun, but I will do whatever it takes to make it. Whatever it takes to get my son what he needs, to keep him in the school that works for him, to give him a stable life, to give him everything, to keep our heads above water and live the American Dream in our house and find a way to pay for everything. It isn't easy, sometimes it seems down-right insurmountable. But I am a soldier and so is my son and we will accomplish this mission
The concept for Sensory Assault Operations is rooted in the fact that I always said that my son was not merely sensory seeking---he was on a "sensory mission." I said that right from the SPD diagnosis get-go. The concept stewed and grew over several years until a perfect alignment of somethings sparked Sensory Assault Operations and the Sensory Assault Pack. Gear for kids on a sensory mission. Right on! I wouldn't be creating and developing most of the products in my line myself, but I would be putting together tools that have either helped me or other people I know in their daily mission of coping with SPD. They would all be affordable and in one place so that it could help take some of the guesswork out of this murky journey through SPD-land. The "Sensory Assault" part of our operations stems from the Air Assault badge that the Army awards to soldiers; these soldiers complete a grueling course which teaches them how to sling-load large vehicles and pallets onto a helicopter and how to conduct an assault from a helicopter. Pretty damn cool. And empowering-which is what is behind Sensory Assault Operations. The wings on our logo signify the flight/assault part of the training while the brain is the center of the central nervous system and is the control center and ground zero for ASD and SPD. It is a visual representation of our company. I am a busy person, a busy mom, a busy pastry chef, a busy business owner, just busy. My son is growing older and I wanted him to start learning how to meet his own sensory needs in appropriate ways.
I see our kids as soldiers in this battle against sensory needs. We have to arm ourselves and our kids with the physical and emotional equipment necessary to accomplish this sensory mission: Acquiring the full and independent ability to manage, cope, and develop the necessary ways to deal with the sensory issues that will never leave our children no matter how old they get. They will have to find ways to deal with them and not let them take over their lives. Sensory Assault Operations is the first step on the journey to accomplishing this mission.
As a spouse of a soldier who has been in harms way many times, I have been rooted steadfastly in the idea that only soldiers can be soldiers---there is no other type of person that can qualify to fit that title. But I am beginning to change my mind about that. What our soldiers do for our country is incredible, I would never demean that and it takes a special person to do what they do. Our SPD kids are special. Most people couldn't imagine going through what they go through each day--finding any way they can to orient themselves enough to function in the "normal" world that surrounds them AND still meet the educational standards set for them. I'm also beginning to see myself as a soldier. I don't carry a gun, but I will do whatever it takes to make it. Whatever it takes to get my son what he needs, to keep him in the school that works for him, to give him a stable life, to give him everything, to keep our heads above water and live the American Dream in our house and find a way to pay for everything. It isn't easy, sometimes it seems down-right insurmountable. But I am a soldier and so is my son and we will accomplish this mission
Friday, February 26, 2010
April is Autism Awareness Month
April is coming fast! It signals the onset of spring and has also become Autism Awareness Month. Today, everybody is raising awareness about anything and everything, but Autism Awareness Month should definitely be highlighted to every parent and parent-to-be. Early intervention is the key to helping put the "puzzle" that is ASD together. My son is living proof of what can be accomplished through early intervention, sensory work, and consistency. I also thank from the bottom of my heart the dedicated people who put so much of their time and effort into my son's early intervention. There is no magic wand to wave over our ASD kids to make them better, it takes hours of therapy, love, patience, and consistency. I also think that one of the missing pieces to this puzzle is sensory related. My son's teacher and co-teacher told me that when he gets over-loaded and they take him out of the classroom environment and do focused sensory work with him for 10 or 15 minutes, he can come back into the classroom and focus diligently on his work. I thought to myself, "well, that's why sensory work was written into his original IEP." They were preaching to the choir on that one. For those of us parents that have ASD children, everyday is Autism Awareness Day---there is no escaping it, it maps out our days and our nights and effects every decision we make-even the most seemingly insignificant ones.
On another note, HBO has made a movie called "Temple Grandin." I can't tell you how excited I am about this movie. It has already aired, but I don't have cable let alone HBO. Clare Danes plays Temple Grandin in this movie and David Strathairn plays the professor that so influenced her life, and I believe Julia Ormond plays her mother. After the diagnosis of my son, I felt like I was being sucked into a black hole. There was too much information out there, too many different forms of therapy, too many parents who said they discovered the miracle that cured their child. I stayed away from all of it, but well meaning people in my life would come to me with all of that information and then some. I didn't care about someone else. ASD is a Spectrum Disorder, hence the ASD which means that it will present itself differently in every child and every course of treatment will be different, will have to be tailored to your child. I wanted to know how my son saw the world--I wanted to know how his brain worked differently from mine. I can't climb inside his head, but I could read about people who had the same disorder. So my son's case coordinator, a very dear lady who was born to do what she does, told me about Temple Grandin's books. So I bought them and read them. They are a must for any parent with a child on the spectrum. I also read a book about a young man that defined Pi to some incredible degree, but his name escapes me at this point.
I think that April is the perfect month to be Autism Awareness Month. April brings spring to us; we can begin to do more than just see the green grass and budding leaves in our minds' eye--we can see it happen right before our eyes. It gives us a fresh start and new hope. That is what raising awareness of Autism does---it gives parents with ASD kids hope for a fresh start, hope for a new treatment, hope for that one idea that becomes a breakthrough in what ASD is and where it comes from. For me, each day is another chance to help my son move one tiny step closer to what all parents with ASD kids want---a bright and independent future for their child.
On another note, HBO has made a movie called "Temple Grandin." I can't tell you how excited I am about this movie. It has already aired, but I don't have cable let alone HBO. Clare Danes plays Temple Grandin in this movie and David Strathairn plays the professor that so influenced her life, and I believe Julia Ormond plays her mother. After the diagnosis of my son, I felt like I was being sucked into a black hole. There was too much information out there, too many different forms of therapy, too many parents who said they discovered the miracle that cured their child. I stayed away from all of it, but well meaning people in my life would come to me with all of that information and then some. I didn't care about someone else. ASD is a Spectrum Disorder, hence the ASD which means that it will present itself differently in every child and every course of treatment will be different, will have to be tailored to your child. I wanted to know how my son saw the world--I wanted to know how his brain worked differently from mine. I can't climb inside his head, but I could read about people who had the same disorder. So my son's case coordinator, a very dear lady who was born to do what she does, told me about Temple Grandin's books. So I bought them and read them. They are a must for any parent with a child on the spectrum. I also read a book about a young man that defined Pi to some incredible degree, but his name escapes me at this point.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Misty Musings
Today I was driving home from work--I always enjoy the ride home because of the beauty of this place. The snowstorm was over for the moment but the clouds hung low over the hills; misty curtains in shades of gray gently hugged the hills and softened the hard lines of stark trees and power lines. I envisioned curling up in front of a fire with a mug of hot cocoa and shutting out the world. But the fireplace has insulation stuffed up into it and the chimney needs to be checked. The driveway needed to be shoveled and the trash can brought back to the house. Even without a fire in the fireplace my house is cozy. With pictures on the walls and all of our things around this house suits me perfectly--if I could give it a hug I would.
The 2010 International Toy Fair was last week. A train ride down and taxi to the Javits Center and we were there. Both my dad and I had preregistered this year so all we had to do was pick up our badge holders and head on in. I was surprised at how much smaller the show was this year. There was so much of the same stuff everywhere, but there were a few things that really stuck out. I was disappointed that I will have to wait a few months longer for Bixby the Bald Eagle from Zoobie Pets. Some stand outs were Fun and Function--products designed by an OT----we will be carrying some products from their line this year. Also coming up in April is the annual Autism walk and Expo at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. This year Sensory Assault Operations will be set up to sell all of our products and will be accepting credit cards too!
The 2010 International Toy Fair was last week. A train ride down and taxi to the Javits Center and we were there. Both my dad and I had preregistered this year so all we had to do was pick up our badge holders and head on in. I was surprised at how much smaller the show was this year. There was so much of the same stuff everywhere, but there were a few things that really stuck out. I was disappointed that I will have to wait a few months longer for Bixby the Bald Eagle from Zoobie Pets. Some stand outs were Fun and Function--products designed by an OT----we will be carrying some products from their line this year. Also coming up in April is the annual Autism walk and Expo at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. This year Sensory Assault Operations will be set up to sell all of our products and will be accepting credit cards too!
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