SUMMER 2018
Autism Moms Are Beautiful
NO. 4 • $2.99
AMAB
4 BEAUTIFUL QUOTES
STEVE LEVINE
ZALYN'S BOULEVARD
To Keep You Smiling
Autism Dad
Go-To-Styling Tips
contents
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STEVE LEVINE Autism Dad
09 THE DECAF SEGMENT Autism Moms Let It Out
11 GISET KING Autism Mom
Ana
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AMAB AWARD CEREMONY Autism Moms Are Beautiful 2018
20 Haley
Ashlee
ZALYN'S BOULEVARD Go-To-Styling Tips
23 4 BEAUTIFUL QOUTES To Keep You Smiling
Liza Photos by: Michelle Media
Remax Pearland Yvonne Walker 832-385-2264 Callyvonnewalker@gmail.com
had and the “perfect" child we didn't have. However, there were other caring parents in the community to counsel us and share their experiences with us. NW: How is your son doing now as an adult? SL: He is very happy in a group home. He has two
divorced parents and very, very supportive stepparents, siblings, step-siblings, and other relatives who love him very much and spend a lot of quality time with him. NW: What advice can you give other Autism
Dads? SL: It's not your fault! You did nothing wrong. Your special needs son/daughter is going to need your strength and love more than ever. Tim with his brother, Jason
Including Kids, INC. 18401 Timber Forest Drive Humble, TX 77346 Telephone 281-852-0501 Fax 281-852-0502 info@includingkids.org Business Hours – 8am to 4pm
Including Kids, INC. was founded 15 years ago with the mission of providing educational and therapeutic instruction using the principles of applied behavior analysis for children with autism and related developmental delays, endeavoring to facilitate their inclusion in the community. Today, Including Kids has served over 900 families from 13 counties in the Greater Houston area. We have created a quality full-time program that continues to change the lives of young adults and children with autism, offering them a chance to be included in the community.
Interviewed by: Ashlee Viesca Photo by: point and click photography
GISET KING Autism Mom Who Rocks
The true embodiment of a warrior mom, Giset King fights tirelessly for her daughter to succeed in life all while balancing her career, her marriage, her family life, and her social life. Although some days can be rough, Giset bravely faces each day with a positive mindset and an open heart. I was so pleased when I got the opportunity to interview her. She is truly an inspiration. Ashlee Viesca: Where are you from? Giset King: I am from the Enchanted Island in Puerto Rico. I’m currently living in Rosharon, Texas. AV: Where did you meet your husband?
GK: We meet in Yahoo Groups through a Single Christian chat. We both lived in Puerto Rico in the past, but we grew up in different towns. We started out as friends. We were so different! Eventually, we discovered that our differences balanced each other out though, and we realized we were meant to be with each other. AV: As a teacher, how do you find balance? GK: My temperament is CholericSanguineous, which means my life gravitates around goals and fun. I am a goal setter. Reaching the goals I set for myself has pushed me to new heights. I wake up early every
morning, so I can have time to think, plan, and assess the day. I prioritize things daily. Every day, I make sure I have time to grow, laugh, and spend time with family. Flexibility is key. Some days, I work as a teacher, give a workout class, and make a cake from scratch. However, other days, if the kids are safe and had dinner, I will call it a day. AV: How many children do you have? When your daughter was diagnosed with Autism, how did you feel? GK: I have two daughters, Kayra (10) and Krysta (8). When Kayra was diagnosed with Autism, my world 11
collapsed. We experienced the cycle of guilt, anger, depression, and frustration. My husband had a hard time as well. His brother was autistic, so the guilt was hard for him. We had good emotional and spiritual support from friends and family. Their amazing support helped us to move forward. AV: Are you in the support of therapy? GK: At this time, there is no cure for Autism. As a mom, I totally support therapy. ABA therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and play therapy—all of these are tools to help our kids succeed. They have sensory
issues that can be overwhelming, and these therapies give them tools to teach them to thrive and deal with all the things they experience. AV: Did you and your husband see eye to eye on what to do for Kayra? GK: Most of the time, we do. When we do not agree right away, we talk it over and weigh the pros and cons. In the end, it is all about what is best for her. That always helps us to seal the deal. AV: What do you do for yourself to relax? GK: At the beginning of my motherhood journey, I was not good
at relaxing. In the last five years, I have learned how important it is to take time for myself, to be a good mommy and recharge. Every day I need to do 3 things: A devotional, a workout, and at least watch one funny video. These things are therapeutic for me. AV: What advice can you give other Autism Moms? GK: Get rid of guilt and obstacles. Be bold for yourself and your child. Don't be afraid to try new things. Do not be ashamed of other people’s reactions. Never stop dreaming about the possibilities this world has for you and your child.
KYKS – Keeping Your Kids Safe kyksfirst.com Please like us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyks1st/ 281-782-3952
Javania White
Mariana Mack
Lanora Laws
Bridgette Hadnott
Kaci Hancock
AMAB Award Ceremony 2018 Marilyn Elaine Jones-Hatton
AMAB Award Ceremony
Adriana Beasleyb
Andreza CarlĂŠo
Adriana Saavedra
Belinda Hernandez
Leslie Rogers
Yvonne Walker
Seth Keiffer
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