Click to find the #youmightbeanautismparentif hastag on Twitter.
Although it has yet to ‘trend’, a phenomenal new hashtag on Twitter is #youmightbeanautismparentif — it’s prompting inspiration, amusement, understanding, increased community networking, and some great conversations. I’ve been playing on it myself as FroggyPrinceMom, and there have been some requests to collect my contributions all in one place as a post. I’ll do so here (assuming I catch them all when scrolling back through my own feed), and welcome friends to post links to the same from their blogs, in the comments!
#youmightbeanautismparentif you come online so you can stop contextualizing & explaining 99% of everything you say.#youmightbeanautismparentif your child is verbal, but you still have to translate everything they say for other people#youmightbeanautismparentif you’re not sure who needs the padded helmet w/ faceguard more…your kid, or you.#youmightbeanautismparentif you browse for holiday wishlist ideas from a catalog with “equipment” in the name#youmightbeanautismparentif people apologize before telling you they think your child is smart.#youmightbeanautismparentif you have very mixed feelings when your child grows, because the same exact shoes don’t come in the next size#youmightbeanautismparentif your own fatigue has much less to do with your sleeping patterns than your child’s energy levels do.#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve ever said “I will either be yr dream parent or yr nightmare parent & which is up to you” to new teacher#youmightbeanautismparentif you breathe an audible sigh of relief every time your kid makes it through your door & it closes behind them#youmightbeanautismparentif it is cause for celebration if everyone in the family manages a bath/shower on the same day.#youmightbeanautismparentif all social time is divided into pre-bedtime and post-bedtime.#youmightbeanautismparentif your kid could read fluently at 2, but at 6 you still have to tear the baby board books away#youmightbeanautismparentif you’re not sure which would be worse…hosting Thanksgiving, or going somewhere else for it#youmightbeanautismparentif you have a secret cabinet of empty packaging…so you can put the new food in it when the packaging changes.#youmightbeanautismparentif you celebrate the 12 days of Christmas simply because your kid can’t handle it all at once.#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve ever said to a school therapist, “Yeah, but why would you order it from THAT company…?”#youmightbeanautismparentif conversations beginning with, “(S)he is __ years old or so, right?” rarely end well.#youmightbeanautismparentif you have more locks on your property than a state prison#youmightbeanautismparentif you bear a strong hatred for free trials your kid can start themselves with one click on the computer.#youmightbeanautismparentif it’s never easy to choose between telling your kid something ahead of time, & not warning them.-
#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve ever laughed unapologetically after watch alarm woke in-laws up at 3am, after they ignored warning to keep the buttons AWAY - #youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve ever wanted to clue-by-4 someone for saying, “At least you might not have to deal w/ your child growing up & leaving you.”
#youmightbeanautismparentif friends aren’t sure what is crueler…inviting you to things, or not.#youmightbeanautismparentif anyone who babysits doesn’t just get a list of emergency numbers, they get a freaking MANUAL.#youmightbeanautismparentif what YOU wear has as much to do w/ your child’s sensory preferences as what THEY wear.#youmightbeanautismparentif it is unfathomable to go on an outing in shoes you can’t run in#youmightbeanautismparentif you watch the other parent’s face very carefully after you answer their, “So which one is yours?” question#youmightbeanautismparentif you have ever browsed an entire library system for ALL the books about __.#youmightbeanautismparentif you can’t wait for your child to finally reach that annoying “WHY?” stage#youmightbeanautismparentif you know at least 5 uses for any given household object#youmightbeanautismparentif it seems your child magically knows what unfamiliar items are edible & which are not, & will only eat the latter#youmightbeanautismparentif the teachers automatically reserve SEVERAL time slots for the parent-teacher meeting#youmightbeanautismparentif you & your partner never get to sit at the table for holiday meals w/ extended family, at the same time#youmightbeanautismparentif you really wonder how long it’ll take companies to start making diapers above a size 6#youmightbeanautismparentif you’re not sure what you posted to this hashtag already, b/c you’re so used to repeating yourself anyway.#youmightbeanautismparentif it’s a miracle if you’re all eating the same thing#youmightbeanautismparentif you can fill the whole car w/ gear for a few-hour outing#youmightbeanautismparentif someone asks how old yr baby is while you shop for diapers/sippies/etc & you say [insert elementary school -- or higher -- age]#youmightbeanautismparentif you know there are TOO MANY ways to end the sentence, “The bathroom is NOT a good place to…”#youmightbeanautismparentif you regularly ask what most see as stupid questions, b/c you’re used to NOT taking the answers for granted-
#youmightbeanautismparentif you think this might be one of the best inventions ever wp.me/pWsSo-vr -
#youmightbeanautismparentif you send 5x the number & kinds of supplies asked for by the teacher, on the 1st day of school #youmightbeanautismparentif your parents/in-laws think this proves they were right every time they told you that you were wrong.#youmightbeanautismparentif your child can color-match their underwear to their socks and shirt, but not actually put any of them on.#youmightbeanautismparentif you are NEVER without wipes.#youmightbeanautismparentif they have to figure out what room is big enough to hold everyone attending your kid’s IEP meeting.#youmightbeanautismparentif you have to remind yourself it’s not a personal insult every time someone throws out a puzzle w/ lost pieces#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve even exchanged cell phone numbers with the bus driver#youmightbeanautismparentif you say “inchstone” instead of “milestone”#youmightbeanautismparentif you are fairly certain that you will never ever be free of Elmo.- #youmightbeanautismparentif you bought your kid an elf hat just in case the teacher doesn’t get them the exact same one this year that they saw in last year’s yearbook
#youmightbeanautismparentif even your kid’s TEACHER has had to try to not smile, when yr kid got in trouble b/c interacting w/ typical peer#youmightbeanautismparentif you know that all it takes to establish a pattern is ONE time, not three.#youmightbeanautismparentif there are many undesirable behaviors on your list of things you look forward to.#youmightbeanautismparentif you don’t see the fact that your kid is the only one that can read as a reason to NOT put written cues all over#youmightbeanautismparentif your vocabulary bears a strong resemblance to alphabet soup#youmightbeanautismparentif you wince every time a local store changes its signage#youmightbeanautismparentif you spend a lot of time at school meetings saying, “Yeeeesss….I know….I already TOLD you that.”#youmightbeanautismparentif 99% of what’s posted here makes perfect sense to you, even if you can’t relate to it…yet.#youmightbeanautismparentif you look at the world w/ a pro/con list floating in your mind’s eye- #youmightbeanautismparentif your child is obsessed w/ same thing happening next time, while failing to grasp that same thing might happen next time
#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve given up worrying about what your child might say in public#youmightbeanautismparentif your kid ever NEEDED a movie on as audio/visual backdrop….to focus on reading#youmightbeanautismparentif you have safety mesh installed anywhere in your house OTHER than around a trampoline or under a high-wire#youmightbeanautismparentif you have ever warned the school photographer that the lights make your kid’s ears hurt- #youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve ever apologized for not being able to turn the bird off / make the rain go back up / fix the shape of the cloud / make the blue car on the road come back…
#youmightbeanautismparentif it’s touch & go which wastes more time…letting your kid waste time, or trying to STOP them from doing so.#youmightbeanautismparentif it’s debatable which is harder…teaching the rule, or teaching the exception#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve ever had to teach your child a basic concept of life from the angle of how “most people” perceive it.#youmightbeanautismparentif you list options in a certain order, based on the likelihood of a certain slot being chosen no matter what it is#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve ever told a complete stranger to wait __ min before complaining/questioning, your kid is in Quiet Time#youmightbeanautismparentif “Yes, I’m serious” is a commonly used phrase when talking to people outside the immediate family.#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve considered buying a duplex NOW, just in case your kid is ever able to live “on their own”#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve had to keep your child from running down the street after the bus b/c it had to leave before they got off the “right” way…#youmightbeanautismparentif you sigh when you pass those “What to Expect” books at the library.#youmightbeanautismparentif you don’t just take advice from “typical” parents with a grain of salt, you take it with a whole spice rack!#youmightbeanautismparentif your child IS your to-do list, so long as they are awake & home, & often even when they are not#youmightbeanautismparentif you have to resist feeling smug if an NT child does something inappropriate & your child didn’t#YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf your kid ever did something rude JUST SO they could apologize, since they knew apologies made people smile.#youmightbeanautismparentif you never just have *A* game plan.#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve to get more creative when considering what something might sound like when yr kid brings it up at school-
#youmightbeanautismparentif you know that exactness of words is an art – wp.me/pWsSo-Yw #youmightbeanautismparentif you know that decisions can never be based on only that-day’s reaction!#youmightbeanautismparentif you sometimes wonder what would be simpler – telling people your child’s actual age, or their developmental one.- #youmightbeanautismparentif you habitually point out ways your child isn’t the stereotypical autist, so people don’t assume they know all about them as soon as they know the Dx
#youmightbeanautismparentif you know the food groups might actually be something like: circles, triangles, squares and lines.#youmightbeanautismparentif you can’t fathom the inner conflict if your child is ever invited to an NT birthday party…at Chuck E Cheese#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve ever time-lined your child’s life via, “Back in the ___________ phase…”#youmightbeanautismparentif you wonder if that guy/girl you knew growing up/in college knows they are an Aspie, b/c now you realize…#youmightbeanautismparentif you have to decorate (& un-decorate) for the holidays in stages, so the environmental change is gradual.#youmightbeanautismparentif you can never say, “Well, it’s only $1..” b/c you have to think, “It’s __ % of needed supplement/therapy/etc.”#youmightbeanautismparentif your child notices more than Adrian Monk & makes more unexpected connections than Sherlock Holmes#youmightbeanautismparentif the expression “Better late than never” resonates with you deeply.- To @trydefyinggrav —> I think our facial expressions – the ones there & the ones NOT there – ARE our secret handshake
#youmightbeanautismparentif - If you could be any animal, which would it be and why? – http://wp.me/pWsSo-1fk –
#youmightbeanautismparentif this DOESN’T surprise you! - RT @diaryofamom
#YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf You know…that you ‘buy’ a good day with a tough evening. –> Oh yes! http://wp.me/pWsSo-72 #youmightbeanautismparentif you “armchair diagnose” other autists, especially aspies, wherever you go / whatever you read or watch#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve ever sewn the front design of an old shirt onto a new shirt, just to prolong the wearing years.#youmightbeanautismparentif you living room is decorated in “Unofficial Therapist Chic”#youmightbeanautismparentif your child has ever broken a light switch by turning it on and off so much#youmightbeanautismparentif your child is 1 of the most creative people ever, b/c they don’t understand how things are “supposed” to be done#youmightbeanautismparentif you’ve ever bought something out just in case it’s not made any more later#youmightbeanautismparentif you’re so relieved every time something ISN’T hard for your child to handle#youmightbeanautismparentif you’re grateful when your child is still amused by realizing people don’t remember just how smart they are#youmightbeanautismparentif you know hinges can be both the best and worst thing in the world#youmightbeanautismparentif your child rushes to you, all excited or VERY serious, saying, “I have to tell you something!” only to start listing character names or the like#youmightbeanautismparentif they excitedly open the Advent calender window, and then feed YOU the chocolate inside#youmightbeanautismparentif you pay for anticipation as much AFTER a wait is over, as before.#youmightbeanautismparentif you started this Tweet 2 hours ago, and just got back to it now.#youmightbeanautismparentif you celebrate the 12 days of Christmas b/c your child can’t handle it all at once.#youmightbeanautismparentif you spend longer preparing for an outing, than actually ON the outing.#youmightbeanautismparentif you found out you COULD hate florescent lights more than you already did.#youmightbeanautismparentif you wish people looked at you the same way they’d look at anyone else who said their kid was awesome.#youmightbeanautismparentif you ever had a comparison like this: http://unhandicapping.com/school-photos-and-the-autistic-child/- @BobbiSheahan How ’bout
#youmightbeanautismparentif you must remind yourself that a date isn’t going to WalMart with your hubby while your kid is at school #youmightbeanautismparentif you sometimes forget that “dressing up” doesn’t just means jeans instead of pajama pants.#youmightbeanautismparentif a chunk of presents were actually given for yr child several yrs before, but not developmentally appropriate yet#youmightbeanautismparentif it bears remarking upon, if everyone in the family is freshly bathed/showered on the same day.#youmightbeanautismparentif the pain killers are never far away, but neither is the camera.#youmightbeanautismparentif you have a lot of trouble remembering how to turn “off”, if actually given a rare, precious chance to do so.@AutismMomOfOne Furthermore,#youmightbeanautismparentif you sometimes forget that getting more than 4hrs sleep isn’t “indulging”#youmightbeanautismparentif all answers given by you to questions about your child, tend to have something in them like “yet” “this time” “we think” “but” etc.#youmightbeanautismparentif your 1st grade boy is being bullied by a kindergarten-aged girl….twice, now.
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The following are other people’s blog posts on #youmightbeanautismparentif:
@AspieSide‘s POST at The Aspie Side of Life
@diaryofamom‘s POST at A Diary of a Mom
@CaffeineAutiMom‘s POST at Caffeinated Autism Mom
@BeckyH_253‘s POST at Painting With Picasso
@MumForAutism‘s POST at Aspie in the Family
@PoopingRedGuy‘s POST at Pooping Red Guy & Friends
@juliecoryell‘s POST at I am JuJu!
@thepyxie‘s POST at Aidan’s Autism Adventures
About FroggyPrinceMom
I love this! Many thanks to you for writing this, and to my friends Jenny and Elise for starting it! Even since you’ve written this, there have been more added.
Happy Thanksgiving, all. Great article!
Bobbi
Oh, these are just the ones I’ve posted thus far myself….I don’t stand a chance of keeping up with ALL of them!
Happy Thanksgiving — and enjoy!
OH MAN. Lol with tears while I am riding the train! That was hilarious, thanks so much! I might join Twitter for that alone.
You’re more than welcome! It’s definitely an entertaining conversation to join, over there — bear in mind, the ones listed here are just the ones I posted thus far.
I really enjoyed this!! Love the hashtag and hope it never ends. It’s been absolutely amazing and completely needed. I thought I’d read all the posts, but I missed some!!
(and I have a manual for the baby-sitter, too…)
Carrie´s last [type] ..#youmightbeanautismparentif
I’d been going through a stage of wondering why I bothered with twitter and then the #youmightbeanautismparentif tag popped up in my twitter stream.
Now I know I can log on to twitter and find a smile or a nod of sympathy/empathy and there are so many understanding autism parents there.
Makes me feel not so alone as we struggle through the nightmare of the silly season.
Marita´s last [type] ..Christmas Care Packages for Australian Service Men and Women
Hi! So nice to put the blog with the twitter handle
I really love the bond that is forming with this hashtag!
Here is one of mine – @LaliQuin – #YouMightBeAnAutismParentIf you don’t mind riding up and down escalators at the mall because it makes your kid happy.
Thanks for linking up at http://manyhatsmommy.com/2011/11/26/cathartic-2/ !! I forgot you’re FroggyPrinceMom!
I almost snorted over the shoe thing–I bought 5 pairs of the same shoe in different sizes at Children’s Place when they were on clearance!
Jenny´s last [type] ..Cathartic
wow very well wtrtien, very poignant.you are one strong momma! yes you are
glad I found you through fybf
Marita, I felt the same, exact way about twitter until the thread started.
And thanks for the mention, FPM.
Carrie´s last [type] ..#youmightbeanautismparentif