Dear parents of girls on the Autism spectrum & parents searching for answers,
I am here. I understand the struggles you are facing everyday. As our children may not be exactly the same nor do we share the precise experiences. We all do have one thing in common, we love our little girls. So whether or not you are across the ocean or right here in America, I am here for you. We are all here for each other. I started Punky's palace of pink as a way to tell my daughter's story through humor and witticism. I am still going to do that but I want the palace to be about all girls on the spectrum. I think back to four years ago when the journey we had already been on for eight years finally made sense.
When Punky was giving the Autism spectrum disorder diagnosis at the center for childhood development. I felt relief at finally having an answer but overwhelmed by all the information being thrown my way and all the changes we were going to have to make. My mind was scrambling to keep up while still trying to process the word "Autism" because let's face it there is a lot of misinformation out there and a reoccurring false prejudice on what being "Autistic" means for the child and the family.
Once I got home and the dust settled. I logged into the computer and did a google search on autism. The results were numerous so I started plugging away at them. I soon found a reoccurring theme among nearly all the sites. The words He/His/Him kept appearing over and over again. And while the symptoms as close as they did come, just did not really fit what I was seeing, feeling, hearing from my beautiful girl. We love our boys on the spectrum but girls need a space just for them too!
As my special girl grows and we face new and different challenges I am still struggling to find information relevant to girls on the spectrum. What is available is sprinkled all over the web with a little piece here and a little piece there. We need a one stop for all the information pertaining to our girls so here is my attempt to give us that one place to turn when questions arise. I am not a doctor or a Autism specialist. I am just a mother like many of you who just want to do what is best and give their daughters a fighting chance.
So this is my invitation to you parents to help me build a page that will benefit us all. I want to know all your tips, tricks, hacks, and advice on managing a day/week/ month/ holiday or specials occasions. I want to hear your stories, experiences, and challenges. I want you to share with all of us autism friendly restaurants, stores, vacation spots etc. If there is a specific problem you are searching for answers on let us know. It all starts here with an email aw.beardsley2@gmail.com
Remember alone we are only one but together we are a community.
Sincerely, Momma A & Punky
