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	<title>Autism is Not the Boss &#187; Family Support</title>
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	<link>http://autismisnottheboss.com</link>
	<description>Parenting tips for children on the autism spectrum. Is it possible to live with autism without losing your mind, your life savings, or your spouse? Yes! It may be an uphill climb at times, but there are also some surprisingly easy spots. So for those parents who are determined to enjoy life with autism, welcome.</description>
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		<title>Advocacy Training – A transformative experience for parents of special needs children</title>
		<link>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2011/06/advocacy-training-%e2%80%93-a-transformative-experience-for-parents-of-special-needs-children/</link>
		<comments>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2011/06/advocacy-training-%e2%80%93-a-transformative-experience-for-parents-of-special-needs-children/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jun 2011 18:30:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family Support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quiet Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism; autism advocacy; parent advocacy; autism parenting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://autismisnottheboss.com/2011/06/advocacy-training-%e2%80%93-a-transformative-experience-for-parents-of-special-needs-children/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Advocacy is good for our kids, but many of didn’t realize that it is good for parents, too. A new study completed by doctoral student Michelle Reynolds for the University of Missouri cites that parents who take advocacy courses become stronger and more confident advocates for their children with disabilities. Among the main benefits of advocacy for parents are:
A decrease in intimidation. Confident advocates felt less likely to be afraid to express their options and disagree when dealing with medical and educational staff.
Hopefulness about the future. Parents learn how to navigate the maze of organizations, manage transitions and learn about <a href="http://autismisnottheboss.com/2011/06/advocacy-training-%e2%80%93-a-transformative-experience-for-parents-of-special-needs-children/"> Continue reading...</a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2011/06/advocacy-training-%e2%80%93-a-transformative-experience-for-parents-of-special-needs-children/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
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		<title>The Coffee Klatch &#8211; an oasis for parents of children with disabilities</title>
		<link>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2011/05/the-coffee-klatch-an-oasis-for-parents-of-children-with-disabilities/</link>
		<comments>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2011/05/the-coffee-klatch-an-oasis-for-parents-of-children-with-disabilities/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 May 2011 23:36:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism diagnosis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blog talk radio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[independent living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marianne Russo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Coffee Klatch]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://autismisnottheboss.com/?p=735</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Coffee Klatch  is the social networking version of  sharing a cup of coffee with a good friend.  Tailored to  parents of special needs children,  The Coffee Klatch doesn&#8217;t limit topics to one diagnosis, one advocacy issue or one type of ability.  Perhaps its very eclecticism is what makes The Coffee Klatch  so appealing to parents. After all, our kids typically don&#8217;t  have only  an autism diagnosis; they also have concomitant medical issues &#8211; from ADHD to Down&#8217;s Syndrome to epilepsy to Tourette&#8217;s Syndrome to Sensory Processing Disorders to many, many others. 
 The Coffee Klatch provides an  engaging and non-threatening community. Marianne Russo, creator and lead moderator of the Coffee Klatch, is highly sensitive <a href="http://autismisnottheboss.com/2011/05/the-coffee-klatch-an-oasis-for-parents-of-children-with-disabilities/"> Continue reading...</a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2011/05/the-coffee-klatch-an-oasis-for-parents-of-children-with-disabilities/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Autism and restoring a mom&#8217;s trust in public schools</title>
		<link>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2010/11/autism-and-restoring-a-moms-trust-in-public-schools/</link>
		<comments>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2010/11/autism-and-restoring-a-moms-trust-in-public-schools/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:16:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family Support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism public school education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism special education]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://autismisnottheboss.com/?p=708</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m afraid to believe that my son&#8217;s 4th grade in his new school is going so well. Connor is in a gen ed class 93% of the time; he is making As and Bs (albeit with modified programs for reading and writing);  he even participated in an after-school creative writing class with 12 other students without his para.  His teachers are great, and they understand that despite his language delays, he is a very bright little boy who can handle high expectations if given the chance.  The kids at the school are also wonderful, and Connor has made three new friends. The administrators and the special ed team <a href="http://autismisnottheboss.com/2010/11/autism-and-restoring-a-moms-trust-in-public-schools/"> Continue reading...</a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2010/11/autism-and-restoring-a-moms-trust-in-public-schools/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>For grandparents, neighbors and extended family&#8230;How can you help?  Bring dinner!</title>
		<link>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2009/10/for-grandparents-neighbors-and-extended-family-how-can-you-help-bring-dinner/</link>
		<comments>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2009/10/for-grandparents-neighbors-and-extended-family-how-can-you-help-bring-dinner/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:57:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family Support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grandparents and extended family members]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grandparents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[neighbors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://autismisnottheboss.com/?p=646</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My parents recently confessed that that they always wanted to help out with our son, but weren&#8217;t sure what to do.  They felt particularly helpless during the early years when Connor was newly diagnosed and we were still trying to find our way with Autism.  They are not alone. Many parents, neighbors and friends stand on the sidelines or walk on eggshells fearing that they will say or do the wrong thing.   If only these parents and friends knew how much we needed them during that difficult time (and how much we still need them now).  Maybe this  list of DO&#8217;s and DON&#8217;Ts will give them the guidelines and the <a href="http://autismisnottheboss.com/2009/10/for-grandparents-neighbors-and-extended-family-how-can-you-help-bring-dinner/"> Continue reading...</a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2009/10/for-grandparents-neighbors-and-extended-family-how-can-you-help-bring-dinner/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Value of a Parent Mentoring Chain</title>
		<link>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2009/09/the-value-of-a-parent-mentoring-chain/</link>
		<comments>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2009/09/the-value-of-a-parent-mentoring-chain/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:54:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family Support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quiet Advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://autismisnottheboss.com/?p=599</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Okay, I admit it.  My normally sunny, positive disposition occasionally suffers (spirals?) into an abyss of self-doubt, despair and worry.  When I get that way,  I have a gift I can rely on time and time again&#8230; I&#8217;ve learned the value of a parent mentoring chain.
Being a parent mentor is a blessing.  It gives me the chance to let other mothers vent, rant and talk about things that they couldn&#8217;t with anyone else but a mom who has been in their shoes. Mentoring also helps me realize where I&#8217;ve been, and how far I have come as a mother and as an advocate.  It <a href="http://autismisnottheboss.com/2009/09/the-value-of-a-parent-mentoring-chain/"> Continue reading...</a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://autismisnottheboss.com/2009/09/the-value-of-a-parent-mentoring-chain/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
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