Progress

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I feel it's my public service to inform the military public (especially retirees and soon to be retirees) that we have a little victory.

Let me explain. In the past, if you had a child with any variant of autism and you were a military retiree you were out of luck if you wanted ABA therapy (Applied Behavioral Analysis which is one of the most effective forms of therapy for kids with autism). Which meant they were just out of luck. ABA is ridiculously expensive. Mostly because it takes lots of work (and schooling and hours) to become a behavior analyst, so there aren't a lot of them. It's a hard therapy to render, but it basically takes behavior therapy (if you're in to psych at all think of B.F. Skinner or Pavlov).

But because of a lawsuit it is available. It's still in litigation right now, so it's not for sure it will stay, but it's looking pretty good because Tricare's not looking to file a counter suit (which is what they would have to do). Also with ECHO going out the door soon, this will also make ABA easier to get (without jumping through their bureaucratic hoops).

I think this is a step in the right direction. Hopefully this map below will have more coverage in states:

If you want more information, please contact me (you can comment below) and I'll see what resources I can find. Some states have grants or scholarships for kids who need ABA too. Or at least I can try to help point you in the right direction.

Funny parenting meanderings

No matter how calmly you try to referee, parenting will eventually produce bizarre behavior, and I'm not talking about the kids.~ Bill Cosby

My rules for parenting [that keep me laughing]:

* I can sleep when I'm dead. Forget that sleep when the kids are sleeping. Because that's when I get
   STUFF done!
* Hiding in the closet because you don't want to share your food- totally acceptable. In fact,
   sometimes that is the only way I can eat the food that I made for myself at times.
* It doesn't matter if I made the kids the EXACTLY the same thing I am eating, they will
   want a bite of mine. (The food on my plate magically tastes better).
* Slobber and snot are bold fashion statements.

*If you want to distract you child for hours, just let them play in empty boxes. It's superior
  to any toy you may own.
* An acceptable social distance between your child and any other human being is 2 inches.
   Just so you know.
*  Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the
    walk before it stops snowing.
* Sing out loud in the public even, especially if it embarrasses your children.