Nothing Says Happy New Year like a CSE Meeting

The hustle, the bustle, wish-lists, the cookies, the tree, relatives in from out of town, relatives meeting up and toasting, presents are purchased and dispersed, Santa. My worries were set aside, and we actually had a very nice Christmas.

We are so incredibly fortunate that for all of our special circumstances - our kids are very adaptable. Some children at this time of year fret and become anxious. Obsessive tendencies, sensory overload, phobias of men in red suits - these can drive some children on the spectrum into dark places, and leave their parents without the joyous holidays they wished they had. It tears me apart to read stories of people who cannot put up trees or spend time with their extended families because of some of the nuances of their child's autism. One of the things parents want is to reclaim some of their own childhood by doing the things they did with their own children. This is especially true around the holidays. We, for the most part, are able to do that. Zach's food intolerances notwithstanding, we almost had a normal holiday!

Actually, it wasn't normal relative to some of the things I read. There were no fights, no major meltdowns, depressive episodes, wishing it would all go away. This does seem to be the theme of the American holiday, where Martha Stewart wannabes unite and create irritatingly perfect Christmas cookies. Yet, these cookies will not be enjoyed by all - indeed Ms. Stewart doesn't accommodate those outliers - freaks of the gastronomical world - those with food allergies, intolerance, or Celiacs. No room for auto immune disorders in her world. I claim my superiority over her in that I accomdate my guests.