WINTER 2019 ISSUE NO. 6
AMAB Autism Moms Are Beautiful
NICHOLE ASHLEY THALJI
Lovely & Radiant
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Beauty Tips for proper facial cleansing
Easier To Do It Myself, But ...... Patience to Help Our Kids Build Cognitive Neural Pathways and Self-Control!
Gayle Y. Fisher, M.Ed., Ed.Tech.
I drive an hour one way to take him to ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapy everyday from 9-3pm. I hope to move to the Katy area by next year so that I can have him in school and be able to do more activities with him on a daily basis. Interviewed by: Nichole Wilson Makeup Artist: Camilia Wilson Photographer: Point and Click photography
Donna Shatara Porche Donna Shatara Porche is a phenomenal single mother who enjoys sharing her journey as an Autism Mom. Donna’s laugh brings a ray of sunshine and hope to anyone having a bad day. I enjoy every minute I spend with this awesome mom. Nichole Wilson Where were you born? Donna Shatara Porche: I was born in Long Island, NY, but I was raised in Houston, Texas. NW: Was your pregnancy planned or was it a complete surprise? DP: Having a child was planned and it only took one try. Apparently, I'm very fertile. LOL! I wanted more children, but I had a really difficult pregnancy and didn't want to go through that again.
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NW: What signs did your baby display to signal you that he should be diagnosed with Autism? DP: Caden wasn't talking yet by the age of two. So we put him in speech therapy for about 6 months and still nothing. He learned sign language to help communicate with us. After 6 months we continued with speech and added OT. I really didn't know anything about Autism at the time until one night I was watching Housewives of New Jersey (yes I'm that girl that watches all Housewives..lol) and Jacqueline Laurita talked about her son being diagnosed with Autism.
I remember her crying and mentioning his characteristics and I started crying because I knew deep down that Caden had Autism. I went on the internet and started looking up the signs of Autism and Caden appeared to have everything on the list. I then started piecing all the things together on why he did some of the things he did, even as a baby. He would always cry and scream when we walked into a mall and I never knew why until I realized that it was a sensory issue for him..it was too loud. Needless to say, I spoke with his pediatrician and was recommended to Texas Children's Autism Center. Even though I knew in my heart he was Autistic, to hear the words, “Your son has Autism,” was devastating! I cried the whole way home because now it was official. NW: As a single mother how is life for you? DP: As a single mom, life has been a little strenuous at times. I try to stay positive and pray that everything will be alright. Caden is my biggest “Why” in everything I do and he keeps me going. NW: What is your biggest obstacle as an Autism Mom? DP: My biggest obstacle as an Autism Mom is giving Caden the resources that he needs. Unfortunately, I live in a country area, far away from everything. I drive an hour one way to take him to ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapy everyday from 9pm-3pm. I hope to move to the Katy area by next year so that I can have him in school and be able to do more activities with him on a daily basis. NW: If you can give advice to other Autism moms what would it me? DP: If I could give advice to another Autism Mom it would be to make sure and take time for yourself. It took
me a long time to realize that, but it's important to decompress even if it's for 5 min. I would suggest connecting with other Autism Moms and get into these groups like Autism Moms Are Beautiful. It's nice to know you're not alone and can talk and laugh to someone else about it. NW: I know you have your own business. Tell me about that? DP: Yes, I do have my own business. I'm a direct seller for an amazing product called Somaderm. It's the first and only FDA Registered, over the counter, homeopathic, transdermal HGH Gel. It has over 40 benefits and for me it has helped in so many ways. The main one being that it has improved my mood. As an Autism Mom we tend to stress and have less patience and more anxiety. I've actually weaned myself off of medication and have been in better moods due to the gel. It also has given me more energy and better sleep. I love that I can work anywhere from my phone/laptop and have a flexible schedule for Caden. It's really hard to get a full time 8-5 job with his needs. With that being said, I will continue to build my Gel Empire and give Caden and I the best life possible.
Makeup Artist: Camilia Wilson Photographer: Point and Click photography Makeup Artist: Camilia Wilson Photographer: Point and Click photography 5
Mission/Misión
Soul Mate
Is to provide high quality, low-cost equipment, programs, products, and services that will enhance the lives of people with disabilities, hearing loss and communication challenges.
I am clinging to his soul We are conjoined like higher emotions Es proveer equipos, programas,y equipos de alta calidad a bajo costo que connection mejorarán las vidas de las We have a spiritual personas con discapacidades, pérdida de audición y We are in the same breath desafios de comunicación. We are one breath “Let’s Make Loss a Conversation” We are onHearing one accord “Conversemos de la Pérdida Auditiva” We share the same voice We are atcompany the same time to Assistive Technology Unlimited is a Houston-based established promote effective communication with adults children to withhis disabilities. I amand clinging soul Many of these services are provided through the STAP (Specialized We are connected like greater affection Telecommunications Assistance Program). STAP is a State-funded Program We have a metaphysical which provides telecommunications equipment to individuals whoalliance have difficulty accessing the telephone. We are sitting in the same sound We are one sound We are on one street We share the same tone We are at the same time I am clinging to his soul Like sweet is to kind • Ser un residente de Texas y And kind is to peace • Tener una condición que limita su capacidad de usar el teléfono. • Ejemplo: dificultad auditiva, ver, hablar, movilidad (moverse) o recordar. He is my soul He is me. Assistive Technology Unlimited
13831 Northwest Freeway, Suite 211 Houston, Texas 77040 sales@assistivetechu.com assistivetechu.com 832-940-2020 10
Nichole Wilson
Assistive Technology Unlimited. . .Transforming Lives, one device at a time. Assistive Technology Unlimited. . .Transformando Vidas!
My mind needs rest
Confessions of an Autism Mom Author: Autism Mom (anonymous) As an Autism Mom, I deal with my child constantly getting upset when the iPad looses complete energy. Being a single mother receiving no help from my son’s father is taking a financial toll on me. The two hour meltdowns each time gives me a tension headache. I cry for hours wondering how I can help him. When I request for assistance from the school district, they deny me. My bank account can't afford an advocate. The only thing I am able to do is pray.
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