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Autism Unexpected

Jean Winegardner never expected to parent an autistic child. She also never imagined the emotions, hardships and complete joy that would come with it.

Entries
  • Explaining autism to young children is a challenge. This is the clearest explanation I've ever heard. Oddly, it involves toasters and hair dryers.

    How can I explain autism to young children?

    Explaining autism to young children is a challenge. This is the clearest explanation I've ever heard. Oddly, it involves toasters and hair dryers. Published 11:20 p.m. March 25, 2010 - Comments

     
  • Statistics claim that 80% of parents with autistic children end up divorced. Are these stats true? And do they really matter anyway?

    My son has autism. Am I going to get divorced?

    Statistics claim that 80% of parents with autistic children end up divorced. Are these stats true? And do they really matter anyway? Published 12:46 a.m. March 21, 2010 - Comments

     
  • Some childproofing ideas are a given. With an autistic child, sometimes you have to think outside of the box. (That would be the box he is methodically disassembling.)

    Autistic child = constant vigilance

    Some childproofing ideas are a given. With an autistic child, sometimes you have to think outside of the box. (That would be the box he is methodically disassembling.) Published 11:10 p.m. March 12, 2010 - Comments

     
  • After seeing stereotype after stereotype of autism in the media, it is refreshing to see

    NBC's 'Parenthood' Brings Real-Life Autism to TV

    After seeing stereotype after stereotype of autism in the media, it is refreshing to see "Parenthood's" realistic portrayal of a child with Asperger's Syndrome. Published 10:02 p.m. March 3, 2010 - Comments

     
  • Many parents fear an autism diagnosis for their child. Our autism mom found that her son's diagnosis gave her exactly the opposite—peace of mind.

    How My Son's Autism Diagnosis Gave Me Peace of Mind

    Many parents fear an autism diagnosis for their child. Our autism mom found that her son's diagnosis gave her exactly the opposite—peace of mind. Published 11:31 p.m. March 2, 2010 - Comments

     
  • A Virginia delegate claims in one breath to support the disabled and calls them

    Bob Marshall, How Dare You Call My Child a Punishment?

    A Virginia delegate claims in one breath to support the disabled and calls them "nature's vengeance" in the next. Which is it, Mr. Marshall? Published 11:56 p.m. February 23, 2010 - Comments

     
  • Hope and inspiration come from many places. Last week they came from Eustacia Cutler, Temple Grandin's mom.

    Temple Grandin's Mother Offers Words of Hope

    Hope and inspiration come from many places. Last week they came from Eustacia Cutler, Temple Grandin's mom. Published 9:41 p.m. February 22, 2010 - Comments

     
  • Sometimes a real-life friend is better than all the social skills therapy in the world.

    Is It a Playdate Or Is It Therapy?

    Sometimes a real-life friend is better than all the social skills therapy in the world. Published 8:56 p.m. February 18, 2010 - Comments

     
  • Our autism mom remembers reading an article titled

    What It's Really Like...

    Our autism mom remembers reading an article titled "What It's Really Like to Raise a Child with Autism," and begs to differ. Published 7:58 p.m. February 10, 2010 - Comments

     
  • Was it okay for Rahm Emanuel to badmouth people by calling them retarded? No. Here's why.

    Rahm Emanuel and the R-word

    Was it okay for Rahm Emanuel to badmouth people by calling them retarded? No. Here's why. Published 8:56 p.m. February 3, 2010 - Comments

     
AUTHOR
Jean Winegardner

Jean Winegardner

When Jean had her first child in 2001, "autism" was about the scariest word she could think of. Six years later when her second child was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, a form of autism, she was just happy to have a ...

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When Jean had her first child in 2001, "autism" was about the scariest word she could think of. Six years later when her second child was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, a form of autism, she was just happy to have a word to help him get the services he needed. Her autism journey has been full of tears, laughter, love and at least one attorney.

Jean blogs about her life with her autistic son, Jack, on her blog, Stimeyland. Her two neurotypical children, Sam and Quinn (one older, one younger than Jack), make frequent appearances there as well. Also at Stimeyland? Jean's quirky sense of humor.

She also runs AutMont, an events calendar listing autism-related events in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Raising a child with special needs is hard for so many reasons, but after living with Jack, Jean wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. Come along with Jean as she experiences the joys that come with parenting a special kid.

You can email Jean anytime at stimeyland at gmail dot com or follow her on Twitter, where, as "Stimey," she offers her world view in snippets of 140 characters or less.

Contact Jean Winegardner

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