Try Decorating for Sensory Processing

file://localhost/Users/denisemeissner/Desktop/hgt_cvr-lg.jpg

If you have children or family members that have a difficult time tolerating environmental conditions (loud colors, bright light, clutter, furniture layout, etc), you may want to check out the new HGTV magazine offer. You get the first issue free and then the other issues at a reduced rate. I don't have time to sit and watch tv so I like to thumb through magazines for ideas while I "chill" with my son. My son, with his autism, has joined me in our efforts to create a living space that is calm yet creative. The other night, when I thought he was sleeping, he actually moved the fish tank! That thing is heavy:) What will he do next???

Inside AdSense: +1: Now making Display ads more relevant

Inside AdSense: +1: Now making Display ads more relevant: Earlier today we announced several exciting new additions to Google+, including open signups. We’d like to announce one more addition fo...

For us "older" people, learning about the new marketing strategies can be both exciting and frightening. For me, I am of the belief that we are to do for others w/o expecting anything in return. So the new online marketing options bring out the conflict within me. How do you deal with the speed and reduced face-time of today's marketing techniques. Is there a way to sincerely do for others without looking like you are doing something just to get more web traffic?

What are some of your stories of Courage? With the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I would like to focus on the good we saw on that day and the good we see today.

Positive Emotions And Resilience

Positive Emotions And Resilience

I just calculated that by the end of this summer "vacation," my son with Autism and I will have spent 1,230 waking hours together. As caregivers of someone with special needs, you know how exhausting this long term and intense commitment is. This commitment involves one on one supervision, behavior management, social skills development, and sensory processing routines. Summer time used to exploit all of my weaknesses, but this year, after many changes to my personal and professional priorities, I have finally achieved consistent peace and joy. There is still an underlying restlessness to do more things on my own, but my son's progress and sense of humor keep me on track. I believe I will actually make it through the summer without blowing my lid:) [Quote that made me laugh this summer...because I used to get sucked into situations and then get upset: from Mr. Krabs on Songebob: "One more outburst like that out of me and you're fired!" ]

For caregivers, the stress of providing long term care for a loved one has been shown to reduce the immune system. This article explains how we can improve our resilience, which will ultimately allow us to have a more enjoyable experience with our loved one. Let me know your thoughts and how you cope with the daily stressors.

Stanford Who's Who

I am looking forward to networking with other members of the Stanford Who's Who community and utilizing new information to serve caregivers of loved ones with special needs. If you are a caregiver, I would love to hear from you and find ways to help make your life easier and even more enjoyable. 

Stress Buster: Create a Mental "Happy Place"

http://betterinbulk.net/2010/05/how-to-find-your-happy-place.html

I'm quickly learning how blogging and reading other blog posts is a great way to create and enjoy a mental happy place.
My son and I are 7 weeks into our 12 week summer "break" (not necessarily summer "vacation") and I have to find ways to 
think my own thoughts and not the words of my son (who has autism). I give him lots of credit for inspiring me to see the 
world in new and creative ways; but because he perseverates on his own topics of interests, I find myself feeling like I am 
stuck in a never ending hamster wheel. Luckily my husband encourages me to get out of the house while he cares for our son.But on days when I am locked in to 10 straight hours of caregiving (x5 days a week plus occasional weekends), I take mental breaks. Whether I stare at our front yard and imagine how to improve the landscape, scroll through facebook or twitter, 
or now that I have discovered SeededBuzz, read variety of blog posts, I can improve my ability to remain calm with my son. 
(Even as I write this post my son is sitting next to me and blowing bubbles in my face!)
Do you find that you are able to create peace in any setting?? How do you find/create your happy place?? What about when you are dealing with a challenging person...how do you compose yourself so you can 
avoid reacting to that person's behaviors??

Life With a Possum: Any Soldier

Life With a Possum: Any Soldier

After jumping off my professional/career ladder in order to provide the time and energy my family required, I'm continually struggling with appreciating domesticity. However, this blogger seems to have her priorities set pretty well. She made me consider how I can spend some of my stay-at-home time and energy. For example, instead of just doing crafts with my son just for the sake of improving his fine motor skills, I could work with him on sending something to a soldier. My son admires soldiers so this would be a great activity. Wouldn't it be cool to incorporate sensory integration activities (for our children with special needs) with soldier care package creation? Or, wouldn't it be cool to capitalize on kids' love of and expertise regarding computer/social media and have them help us design a way to recruit helpful ways to support soldiers and their families?? What are your thoughts, ideas and insights?