April is National Autism Awareness Month by Susan Sheehey

April is National Autism Awareness Month.

But it’s every day in our house, every month of the year.

Our 9yr old was diagnosed when he was 4.

April 2^nd is the official World Autism Awareness Day. Coincidentally, I was sitting in the parking lot of the developmental pediatrician’s office that morning, waiting to go in to have our second child assessed for ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

I understand this month is supposed to bring awareness and acceptance to the world for those who suffer from ASD. And this post is quite different than what I normally share.

But I actually have something important to say.

First and foremost, I love my boys. I will do anything for them.

But I don’t celebrate my eldest son’s autism.

Autism is not like it’s displayed in the movies.

Those are clichés. Or extreme rarities, like the savants.

Our Autism is hard. I won’t go into specifics. That would take FAR too long. Your eyes would glaze over, and you’d probably move on to the next email in your inbox.

But sitting in the parking lot of the developmental pediatrician’s office for my younger son’s evaluation was extremely difficult.

Because I know where this path goes.

We’ve lived it for years.

There is nothing more personal.

My younger son just turned 4. If he does end up on the spectrum, he has completely different symptoms than my eldest son. Different areas that effect how he interacts with the world. Or lack of interaction.

But of all the research I’ve done, everything we’ve experienced, every therapist/ doctor/ expert I’ve spoken to in both the medical field and educational field…

It’s hard to sit in that car and not cry.

But I can’t cry. My son is in the backseat. I don’t want him to freak out. I don’t want him to think I’m taking him some place that will hurt him. Because why else would mommy be crying in the front seat?

April is National Autism Awareness Month. I know many Autism mothers, fathers, grandparents that celebrate it, and enjoy getting to share their lives with the world. I am all for spreading awareness. I congratulate those parents and individuals for having that optimism and that enthusiasm. For reaching that point.

I know even more Autism Warrior parents that do not celebrate it. Because it’s freaking hard. I would use another F word if I could. There are things we see and deal with that is extremely jarring to ‘outsiders.’ It’s heartbreaking. Because the only thing I want to do is help my son lead the most full and loving life he possibly can. Some days, the world is viciously unkind. Some days, the world is just too much, and we struggle to help make it smaller for him, or less painful.

So, for this National Autism Awareness Month, I guess the only piece of advice I would ask everyone is don’t judge. Not the child, nor the parent. You have no idea what these kids are going through, what their parents are going through, and you have no idea what it’s like living

their lives. Don’t make fun. Don’t judge, and certainly don’t apologize.

Try to include. Try to understand. If you can’t understand, that’s fine, too. Then at least, try to

help. Any small gesture. If you see a child having a tantrum in the grocery store, don’t give them

strange looks or place blame. Offer to help the parent. (Not the child, the parent is focusing on their needs). If the parent seems testy, don’t take it personally. It’s weeks and week and months and months of stress coming out at the wrong moment. Honestly, we’re not used to people offering to help.

So, it’s April 10^th, now. And he has another assessment (6 total over the course of the month). Here we go again.

I hope you all have a great week.

To all my fellow warrior parents:

Refilling the Inspirational Cup

By Susan Sheehey

Stress took its toll on me over the last six weeks. Personal life with children, health insurance, school battles, and finances buried me under a Himalayan-sized oppressive force. Which of course then impacted my immune system, and I caught what my beloved 2-year-old brought home from daycare. I’m still trying to get over it, 3 weeks later.

Flying kites

So the trip we took to Washington State couldn’t have come at a more needed time. Fast forward the plane trip and car ride to my husband’s uncle’s place on the eastern side of the Cascades (since no one

East Wenatchee, Columbia River

wants to hear about an airsick autistic 7-year-old, especially not the flight attendants or the other passengers), it was a fantastic week. Up in the mountains, the view was spectacular. Literally, woke up to the hillsides covered with apple orchards and the Columbia River cutting through the valley- more than just a relaxing retreat. It was a major relief. The weather was beyond gorgeous. 70 degrees, partly sunny, nice breeze all day, and an entire 10-acres for my boys to play on without me worrying about a car running them over, or them getting snatched by sick kidnappers. They spent most of their time by the koi pond throwing rocks into the water, or feeding the animals (pigs, chickens, and 6 beautiful peacocks). Literally, they ran around 10 acres for 6 days, and I wasn’t the helicopter parent I’ve grown into being.

My toddler throwing rocks into the pond

The house was kid-proofed, and all the fresh air made my children pass out all night.

I detached my mind from everything, including my writing. A first for me.

We finished off the trip with an afternoon in downtown Seattle, with of course the obligatory visit to the Space Needle. (Yes, that's my son with the Iron Man helmet, he wore it everywhere). My boys

Caden & Daddy atop the Space Needle

loved it.

I’ve come back and the muse is swirling. Chomping at the bit to write. It’s a glorious feeling. The inspirational cup of my creative conscious has been refilled.

What do you do to de-stress? What causes you the most anxiety? How often do you find yourself needing to refill your spiritual cup?


Susan Sheehey writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense and women's fiction. She lives and laughs in Texas with her husband and two boys. Water plays a crucial element in all of her stories, and she's a huge advocate for Autism Awareness. April is World Autism Awareness month, so please take the time to be aware and accepting of those on the Autism Spectrum. Follow Susan at

www.SusanSheehey.com, as well as Facebook, and Twitter. If you're in Las Vegas from April 13-17th, she'll be at the RT Convention at the Rio All Suites Hotel at the large book signing. Come see me!

New Release: JEWEL OF SOLANA Romantic suspense

My third novel releases this month, Jewel of Solana (Jan 22, 2016), and it’s still an incredible and nerve wracking

Click here to preorder

experience. Just as much as my first release.

This novel took me forever to finish. Having a baby in the middle of the first draft tends to put a major dent in the writing time (although it’s a fantastic excuse!) But for a sequel in a trilogy, I had hoped to have it released sooner.

Nevertheless, I’m so excited to share these characters with the world. To see if people love them as much as I do. That’s the quasi-terrifying part. As much time as I’ve spent with these characters in my head, listening to their stories and struggling to put them on paper, of course I want the world to love them as much as I do. Particularly the hero. He’s on the Autism Spectrum (Asperger's), and his quirks, mindset and analytical thinking processes are very personal to me. Raising a child on the spectrum myself, it’s important that people see these truly special individuals for their gifts, their sweetness, and their incredible desire to be liked. Accepted. Just like the rest of us.

If you’re interested in reading a romantic suspense, set in a tropical and exotic location to get you out of the dreary, winter doldrums, please pick up Jewel of Solana. The second in the Royals of Solana trilogy. You don’t have to have read the first one, Prince of Solana, to understand the story. In fact, if you enjoy Jewel of Solana, you’ll love the first one just as much. (Secret tip: it will be on sale starting Jan 15^th for only 99 pennies!)

Jewel of Solana (2^nd in the Royals of Solana trilogy from Wild Rose Press)

Romantic Suspense, Full length novel by Susan Sheehey

Release Jan 22^nd, 2016

Preorder now (purchase links below)

Princess Alanna Peralta escapes a brutal attack on her island home after a vicious cartel assassinates her family. To save the royal bloodline and family legacy--the priceless necklace Luna de Azul--she conceals her identity and boards a mega-yacht...Into the arms of a brazenly handsome engineer, who might be her guardian angel--or the devil in disguise.
Gabrial Flynn can't look anyone in the eye. Until an obsidian-haired beauty begs for help. Committed to a solitary life at sea, he's shocked to be captivated by the woman's exotic, espresso eyes, and further amazed when she seems intrigued by his eccentricities.
With danger at every turn, Alanna and Flynn discover the limitless reach of the cartel's power. Flynn must decide how much he trusts her not to betray him. As danger closes in, Alanna is torn between sacrificies--her life, family legacy, and country...or her heart.
 

Amazon Kindle click here

Wild Rose Press ebook click here

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Susan Sheehey writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and women's fiction. Follow Susan at www.SusanSheehey.com, on Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads and Amazon.