Read more about the article Confessions of an #Autism Dad: I’m emotionally struggling tonight
Autism Parenting Insight / Confessions / My thoughts

Confessions of an #Autism Dad: I’m emotionally struggling tonight

I've been trying to write all day and I just can string my thoughts together in a way that makes sense outside of my own head. In the spirit of Autism Awareness month and in an attempt to help you better understand what at least this Autism Dad is struggling with, here's what I'm feeling tonight. I'm exhausted. I'm overwhelmed. I'm beyond stressed out. I'm totally emotionally drained. I'm completely physically drained. I'm finding myself in a dark place tonight. I'm feeling seriously demoralized and beaten down. I'm broken hearted for reasons that are too many to explain. I'm conflicted because I know tomorrow's a new day but it seems far away. I'm doing the best I can but I can't fix the many things in our lives that need…

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April 8, 2018
Read more about the article People have been asking my advice on withdrawaling from #Paxil and here it is
Depression / My thoughts

People have been asking my advice on withdrawaling from #Paxil and here it is

I'm not feeling good but for the first time in months, I woke up and didn't feel like I needed to vomit. I'm not nearly 100% but I'm getting there. Quite a few people have been reaching out in regards to my journey and seeking advice about starting theirs. Coming off of Paxil or any other medication for that matter, is a medical decision between you and your doctor. I can only share my personal experiences and what I've learned along the way. The reason I continue to talk about this journey withdrawaling from Paxil is because it's impacting every aspect of my life. It's important to share my experience so others who are considering doing the same thing, know what questions to ask their doctor before taking the plunge.…

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April 7, 2018
Read more about the article Positive changes in my body since stopping #Paxil
Depression / My thoughts

Positive changes in my body since stopping #Paxil

We just got back from this afternoon's appointments and it's been a super long day so far but I've made it this long. ☺ It occurred to me that I've talked in detail about the side effects from Paxil withdrawal that I've been dealing with but not the positive changes in my body since discontinuing the antidepressant. I'm not as miserable as I have been and I just feel rundown, which I suppose is normal for someone living a life like mine. I don't think it's necessarily an unhealthy rundown but more the feeling drained, stressed out and overwhelmed kinda rundown. This whole Paxil thing has kicked my ass but it's getting better and as I mentioned on Twitter the other day, my overall vitals are back within normal range.…

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April 6, 2018
Read more about the article We’re getting there
Depression / My thoughts

We’re getting there

I'm feeling much better after laying down for a little while. I pushed through the morning and got some things done. I layed down because I have a decent drive ahead of me and I need to be in a good place to do that. The point is, I'm feeling better and for now, back in my feet. There still some lingering side effects from stopping the Paxil. Most are gone but the nausea or upset stomach is still hanging on for dear life. From what I've read on the subject, these side effects can last a few days or few months. Considering it's been about a month since I took my last dose, I'm guessing it's going to be a longer ride. I've spoken with a good number of…

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April 6, 2018
Read more about the article When your goal is to simply survive the day
My thoughts

When your goal is to simply survive the day

I'm not having a good day and it's only 8:30 AM. I'm still not feeling well and I've got a busy day ahead of me. I had to deal with a teacher who clearly is teaching the wrong demographic of children and has no business working with special needs kids. I would address the problem directly with the teacher in question but unfortunately, there ends up being blowback for E while he's in class, in the form of public shaming. E and I met with the principal to let him know what's been going on inside the classroom. He was not happy to hear this and will be dealing with it accordingly. We are not the first to approach him about this situation. Elliott has state testing today and Emmett…

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April 6, 2018
Read more about the article Money Management: Building Up an Investment Portfolio
Contributed / Sponsored Post

Money Management: Building Up an Investment Portfolio

This is a contributed post and therefore doesn't necessarily reflect the views and opinions of this blog or its author. Photo Credit If you are a financial novice, you may well be intimidated by the idea of building up an investment portfolio. But don’t let some jargon put you off making your money work harder for you. In this blog post, we are going to talk you through a few of the basics involved so that you can get started upgrading your lifestyle. Of course, you will have to do more in-depth research in the future, but this should set you off down the right path. Do Your Research and Decide on Objectives There is so much information available online these days that this is the best place to start.…

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April 6, 2018
Read more about the article Here’s a massive update on my Facebook stalker
Announcements / My thoughts

Here’s a massive update on my Facebook stalker

What's Been Happening As you may or may not already know, I've been experiencing ongoing issues with Facebook since the beginning of the year. Someone has been reporting all links back to my blog as offensive or malicious. This results in Facebook pulling all posts or blog updates that I've shared with my personal timeline or community page. I only post my blog updates to my own page and timeline. People typically share it from there. Unfortunately, Facebook also bans my blog URL https://www.theautismdad.com from Facebook completely. This means that no one is able to Like or Share anything that originates from The Autism Dad blog. My only recourse is to appeal each and every report, and I do. Facebook will then put human eyes on each report, determine that…

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April 6, 2018
Read more about the article Never Underestimate the Power of a Chicken
PSA

Never Underestimate the Power of a Chicken

Never Underestimate the Power of a Chicken by Kristin Jarvis Adams (Based on an article originally published in the Washington Post) When my son was in the third grade, he brought home a baby chick. That day Andrew, who has autism, had his first real conversation. But it wasn’t with me. It was with the little-mottled chick he named Frightful. “You are my new friend,” he told her. “You know my heart.” For the first time, he was able to string words together that revealed his hopes and dreams, and all the scary feelings that had no name. Stuffed into his jacket and zippered up to her beak, the scrappy little hen went everywhere.  It was clear that I was no longer the most important chick in town. When I…

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April 5, 2018