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My boys and I have been watching a television series that centers around investigation of crimes to find the cause. On the program they refer to scientific forensics, and something called their gut feeling. This brought to mind an article entitled “Antibiotics Take Toll on Beneficial Microbes in Gut” I recently read concerning research at the University of Michigan.

How sleep deprived can we be? How many years of sleepless nights can pass before we no longer need sleep? How empty can our buckets be? Our bucket that is full at the beginning of the day and empties steadily over the hours of managing our autistic children.

This is my question. I wish someone had invented a tool that would hold our eyes open in the wake of exhaustion. It’s amazing how much you can still see when your eyes are covered by giant marshmallowy eyelids.

There is a very important question that must be asked, a very important issue that must be addressed. America and the rest of western civilization has gotten to the point where every epidemic, every problem, every minor or major social issue must be solved by government or an associated organization. Will we as the autism community ever realize that this is virtually impossible when it comes to our very real problem? How in the world can we trust an entity that is culpable in this epidemic, to care about finding the cause, much less a cure?

Hello Everyone! It’s great to be part of this community.

I am the father of two boys on the spectrum, Michael (8) and Jack (6). My boys are a great blessing for my wife and I and teach us everyday how to look at the world from a different perspective.

Something I have been thinking about writing about but haven't is the subject of extended family and their response to autism or a child who has autism. My family specifically likes to use food. Food represents love. So when my son who has autism can no longer eat the foods my extended family eats the choice has been to let him cheat, to force him to abstain, not to attend events etc.

My letter of concern, I sent to Rhonda Brunett in need of someone or some kind of direction or assistance:

This e-mail ended up being a whole lot longer than I'd originally intended.. I'm sorry. Please read anyway..?

Hi Rhonda,

I am mom to a beautiful, intelligent, curious, engaging little boy who just happens to be severely affected by autism. For five years we have been working toward recovery for our boy through educational and biomedical therapies. It has been a grueling and often heart-breaking journey as we have tried therapy after therapy and seen small or no gains. There have been times, many times, when I just wanted to give up.

A new mother mentioned recently that nursery rhymes are upsetting and often violent. We need only to remember “Three Blind Mice” to cringe that they had their tales “cut off with a carving knife” at the end of the rhyme.

I was feebly attempting to find a way to have a “time-out” while Katie had a day-long meltdown. The terrible heat wave we are experiencing has rendered our house an oven. Opening the freezer and sticking my head in for relief was the highlight of my day.

I received this email from a very close friend of mine whose son is one of my former students. If anyone is able to help, or knows of a person or agency that can assist her please let me know or feel free to contact Diane directly. Feel free to pass this note to people who could possibly assist. Thanks for you help!!!!! ~ Angelina

Congratulations, Steve. It's great to have you back home. Steve recently biked 500 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles, to raise autism awareness. The ride was a tune-up for next year's cross-country extravaganza. I'll let Steve inform you about the trip in detail, but first I have to share with you Steve's route. I know some moms might scratch their heads in disbelief, but like many guys I'm perfectly happy reading maps, visiting a junkyard, or using new power tools.