The Caffeinated Advocate

Tonight's post is one of the many that are floating brewing (get it?! ok, I'll see myself out for a moment) in my head. As an employee of a human service provider in Western Pennsylvania and as a veteran parent who's been around the block and back a few times in the "system," I see, and I am asked, the following questions quite frequently: "What is wraparound?" "What is BHRS?" "What is ABA?" "What is a BSC? Is that a BCBA?" "Aren't ABA and wraparound the same thing?" Well, the Caffeinated Advocate is here to answer those questions for you and hopefully alleviate confusion that so many parents and caregivers newer to this process experience. I found myself in those shoes in mid 2001 when Christian received his diagnosis of autism (and that's a story for a future unbelievably powerful and raw blog). I was given handouts and stapled catalogs with the mish mosh of ABCs of our new autism world, this...

Who has heard that catchy new tune from Alice Merton, called "No Roots?" If you haven't, and you decide to YouTube her video and thus end up getting the song stuck in your head, I apologize.  Sort of.  Music is so cathartic yet joyful for me. I am one of those people who finds deep inspiration in lyrics and quotes. I am fascinated hearing other's people's "why," about their journey, learning their story and/or listening to their message. Music is powerful, isn't it? "I like digging holes and hiding things inside them, When I grow old I hope I won't forget to find them." Both in my personal journey and in fulfilling my professional career calling, something that has always been important to me is to never, ever for a moment forget where I came from. I won't forget the people who have touched me, or whom I have touched in some way, no matter how big or small.  As I scrolled through my Facebook photos this evening searching...

I remember vividly when I was asked to be a voice for our local community and provide my thoughts as both the parent of someone with autism and a professional resource about the Sandy Hook massacre of December 2012. In particular, I was asked if I would be comfortable addressing the connection between Adam Lanza's diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome and premeditated violence. Without hesitation, I welcomed Paul Van Osdol and a cameraman from WTAE into my home. I had done plenty of media interviews in the past, but this interview was different. I felt like I had to defend my son's honor, and the honor of each and every individual diagnosed on the spectrum. I refused to let Adam Lanza become the new face of the autism community. And tonight, I refuse to let Nikolas Cruz take that spot, either. As the cameraman was setting up equipment in my dining room, Christian arrived home from school. He was expecting the news crew as I had prepared him the night before, so he wasn't...

I had a FASCINATING conversation with another "gladiator parent" (whom I will call "Maddie") on Thursday evening that challenged me on so many levels. This conversation has stuck with me, and it's no surprise that this dialogue sparked tonight's blog. My initial gut reaction to her Facebook post, "Another thing to stop calling yourself and others in 2018 - self-advocates," was shock and disappointment. I just couldn't picture someone being disturbed by this term which has fueled my fire for years both personally as a mother and professonally as someone who provides community outreach and promotes programs that will encourage success. No matter how much an individual seems impacted or impaired by their diagnosis, I believe with my entire being that everyone has something to offer this world. I believe that no matter what one's expressive or receptive delay may appear to be, that a person understands and is capable of so much more than we ...

... is a 100% chance of a full blown cyclone of intention, showers of radical action, and a brisk declaration here and now that it's high time I moved forward with The Caffeinated Advocate. I created a Facebook page in 2015 with an intention to create a social media page to align with a blog to "brand myself" and my work. Children and teens, do you remember the 90's remember the album "Everyone Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?" (RWG, Dolores O'Riordan). Well, yeah. Why can't I brand myself, too? Why haven't I shared more of my story, my beliefs and my thoughts beyond posts with inspiring picture quotes or coffee selfies (#cathyrunsondunkin, baby) on Facebook? Why haven't I moved forward until now? If you know me, you know I thrive on and enjoy writing, as I find peace and rejuvenation through written expression. If you have known me for a relatively a long time (and know me well), you know that I started writing a book years ago to ...