Energy Bites to the Rescue!

Problem:      My son needed a GFCFSF between-meal snack, to tide him over. And I didn’t want it to be junk.

Solution:      Energy Bites to the rescue! I whipped up a batch of these no-bake morsels of nutritional goodness and, well, everyone’s happy now.

Next time I think I’ll triple or quadruple the batch. [I have to hide these from my husband!]

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INGREDIENTS:

1 cup rolled oats

½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips [I use Enjoy Life brand dark chocolate morsels; they’re dairy, nut, gluten & soy free.]

½ cup ground flax seed

1 cup coconut flakes

½ cup sunflower butter or any nut butter, crunchy or smooth [I use Sunbutter Sunflower Spread.]

1/3 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Chill in the refrigerator for half an hour, roll into balls and enjoy! Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week, if they even last that long. I store these in the freezer because my guys like them best that way—but it’s not necessary.

Thanks to Susan for the idea! xoxo

Glad To See You, Now Please Leave!

Just thinking about this makes me giggle. A few short months ago I was an inconsolable hot mess with my son moving out and going to college. And what makes it all the more laughable is that he’s a mere 15 minutes away. But the point is, he’s not living under my thumb anymore, and boy oh boy was that an adjustment — more so for me than him. Reports tell me he’s adjusted quite nicely. Big whoop.

Anyway, I was glad to welcome him home for winter break. Glad? Who am I kidding? I was ecstatic. I’ve never been happier to cook for someone, or do his laundry. I waited on him hand-and-foot and it was a treat for me. Yes, I admit, I was in my glory.

Well, two weeks turned into three, then four. Suffice it to say that near the end of his mini winter vacation, I was suggesting he may want to return early, to have time to ‘hang out with friends’ before the spring semester begins. Yes, I nearly pushed him out the door and sighed a huge sigh of relief when he left and I finally got my life back. I can’t believe I’m actually typing these words because I never ever thought I’d feel that way. And it only took a few weeks…

I called my mom to see if she experienced anything similar with me or my three siblings when we went off to college and came back to visit. Mom gave me an earful! Of course I’m not the first parent to live through this. It resonated with friends, too. “Welcome to the club,” one friend said to me knowingly.

Before you judge me too harshly, let me set the record straight. I love my son. I’m always happy to see him and he’s welcome in our home always and forever. But I now know that he is able to live on his own. As such, that’s what he should be doing.

I do find it hilarious to think that in a mere four months I could change so radically. When he moved out for the first time I wept for two days straight. Seriously. But then I adjusted to my “new normal.” It just goes to show you how resilient we can be.

There’s nothing more compelling than your child wanting to be his own person and then going about becoming his own person. And he’s doing a great job.

(But hey pal, would it hurt you to throw me a bone every now and then, and come by for dinner? Or maybe just dessert?)

#hangout

Friday Night Fun for Teens!

Come and hang out with us! Every first Friday of the month we meet in Costa Mesa for a different activity. If you’re between the ages of 14 and 19, this is the place for you!

Autism Resource Mom’s ‪#‎Hangout‬ FRIDAY NIGHT FUN FOR TEENS offers teens an opportunity and the encouragement to break the pattern of reclusiveness and dare to overcome their social anxieties in a safe, nurturing and fun environment.

 

Thanks to College Living Experience (CLE)-Costa Mesa for helping to make this possible.

Join us on Friday, Feb. 5! To RSVP, click here: http://www.meetup.com/www-autismresourcemom-org/

What Problems Keep You Up At Night?

Are you worried about the upcoming IEP? Does your child still have no friends at school? Maybe you’re wondering if he’ll ever learn to manage his time, or a number of other concerns we parents all have. Well, you’re not alone!

Join us at A HEART-TO-HEART WITH MOM where we tackle these obstacles as a group, tapping into a wealth of experience from parents in the trenches.

It’s a roundtable discussion and problem-solving session where you can share your challenges, learn effective strategies and gain comfort from the common experiences of moms and dads like you.  

Best of all, leave with the feeling that there’s hope, there’s help and you’re not alone.

To reserve your seat at the table, register here. It’s free.  

Thursday, Jan. 14 at 7pm at Temple Beth Sholom, 2625 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705

 

 

 

 

Miracles of Goodness

When I look at my son and see the huge strides he’s made in his life, I know there is good in the world.

When I talk with parents who will do anything to help their child with autism spectrum disorder, I know there is good in the world.

When I work with teachers who have students with ASD in their classrooms—and they just want more tips on making the experience a better one for the student—I know there is good in the world.

When outsiders take an interest in my son because they sense his passion and talent, I know there is good in the world.

When my friends with neurotypical kids take an interest in my neurodiverse kid, I know there is good in the world.

When I can fill a room with parents of kids with various spectrum disorders and we can all bond and gain strength from each other, I know there is good in the world.

Tomorrow we begin a New Year. Let’s find something positive, something good in each day. And by this time next year we’ll have 365 more miracles of goodness in our lives. Here’s to 2016!

 

Social Activities in 2016!

Please tell us what kinds of social activities you’d like us to schedule for your tweens, teens and young adults. Take a few moments to complete our Social Activities Survey for 2016. Thanks a bunch!

#GivingTuesday

Give the Gift of Hope by donating to Autism Resource Mom today.

Your contribution will help us continue our monthly informative workshops for parents of individuals on the autism spectrum, while allowing us to continue our social activities for teens and young adults — activities which help them learn the vital skills they need to integrate fully into society.

Autism Resource Mom provides support, guidance and hope to families of children with autism spectrum disorder. Help us help them.

Your tax-deductible gift of any amount makes a big difference. Thank you!

[Autism Resource Mom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, tax ID #27-1853243.]

The Gift of Hope

Give the gift of support, guidance and hope to families of children with autism spectrum disorder this holiday season.

Make a tax-deductible donation to AUTISM RESOURCE MOM in someone’s honor or memory. And help us continue our programs and services to this population that needs the support.

Autism Resource Mom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN #27-1853243.

Thank you!

Live Demo of Brain-Mapping!

Don’t miss the STRESS REDUCTION WITHOUT MEDICATION workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 17. It features a live demonstration of brain-mapping! Come and find out what everyone’s talking about.

RSVP now by clicking here.

An Evening of Unbounded Creativity and A Whole Lotta Joy!

  

An ARM-ful of thanks to Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and the marvelously talented Denise Dion-Scoyni! We had a gallery full of amazing artists working with paint, paper, air-dry clay, tracing on light-tables and more. 

Photos of completed masterpieces to come.