I surf the web looking for positive idea projects. I know I
won’t ever get to do them any time soon, but seeing great
ideas and tips cheers me up. (Jennifer, USA)
I see my acupuncturist once a
week! (EviPete, California)
We have a cat room (since we moved, our cats are
only allowed in this one big room). When I feel
myself getting to that point, I go to the cat room. I
sit and watch them, pet them and play with them.
(Shawnacee, Ohio)
I iron my t-shirts that I wear with my comfy shorts, and it lifts
my spirits to be showered and clean! I always have my coffee
with French Vanilla creamer, and I deliberately think and read
positive thoughts every morning. And I pray. And I am the Aspie,
My son has some traits, but is not an Aspie. (Jane, Alabama)
I exercise for 40
minutes a day.
(Lori, Illinois)
I run on a treadmill
every afternoon. It
helps relieve the pentup stress. My son says,
“Mom is working her
crazy out.”
(Alesha, Pennsylvania)
I try to spend an hour each morning
at the gym, even if it’s to get a chance
to read— while riding a bike of course.
(Trish, Pennsylvania)
When my kids were young, I had a part-time
job that was my escape. Now I have a plot at
a community garden. There’s something very
therapeutic about digging in the dirt, pulling
I send the kiddo to school, even
though I’m a SAHM with a
weeds and getting rewarded with flowers and
background in education and
vegetables. Occasionally, some of my fellow
could ROCK the homeschool
gardeners will be there too, and I get to talk to
thing. (Katy, Nevada)
some adults for a while. (Nancy, Rhode Island)
I go to girls’ nights, my husband
I take time to get regular mani/
and I have very regular date
pedicures. When I feel good, it
nights, and when needed, I lock
makes a difference in how I relate
to my two ASD kids and my ASD
myself in a room when I get
students! (Jeanne, Texas)
overwhelmed. (Tonya, Georgia)
I think that self-care is a big part of being a respectful parent.
I make sure I go to the chiropractor every other When we are respecting the family unit, when we are respecting
week. It may not seem like much, but I’ve found our kids, when we are respecting others, we need to respect
ourselves too. I have tried to always let my kids know in whatit so helpful! (Staci, Wisconsin)
ever way they can understand when I need something specific.
They have known from a very young age that I need specific
When I was younger (20’s) it was the tanning bed on my
lunch hour. Now it is a mani/pedi. I also get up earlier than things that they don’t need, be it an hour with a book alone, or
everyone else on school mornings so I can have a few min- a coffee sitting on the back step with the sunshine on my face.
utes in quiet to drink my coffee and watch the news before When I involve my kids in explaining and take time when I need it
(not too late, but at the time I feel it is needed), it helps all of us.
the chaos begins. (Brandi, Texas)
(Ally, Australia)
I have a part-time job I love.
in my garden and
When my guy was little, I I run twice a week, and I write I spend timechickens. I know it
with my
had to be on standby when
silly, but they are always
social stories based on our own soundsto see me and love getting
happy
he was in school to pick him
simple treats like the tops off of
experiences to help others.
up, so I worked every other
strawberries or leaves of lettuce.
Saturday to be with adults. (Charlotte, United Kingdom) I dig in the dirt, pull weeds and
pour my heart out to God.
(Jennifer, California)
(Beth, Florida)
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