Jenny McCarthy on Oprah

Yes, I saw the Oprah with Jenny McCarthy and Holly Robinson-Peete on Tuesday and I learned many things that I didn't know about Autism. Who ever thought that a Playboy Bunny would actually be giving people solid advice? I was leary at first, but she was very genuine and I commend her for telling her story and trying to help other families out.

Here are some things that I learned and also some things that really hit home.

1. Riley has Autism. He is not autistic. ???? I don't know why this matters to parents, maybe it just sounds better. But, believe me, if you have said in the past anything about someone being autistic, it did not offend me.

2. 80% of parents with a child on the spectrum grow apart and typically end up divorcing. I am so thankful that Alan has stepped up to the plate and chosen to face this head-on. He loves Riley and accepts him. He also is involved 100% in Riley's therapy.

3. I have wonderful friends that want to know all about Riley's therapy and constantly ask how he is doing. Not only have they been a great comfort to me, but they accept Riley and love him. There are the occasional "friends" that don't ever utter his name or turn away from us when he is not behaving like a "normal" child. I thought it was so interesting how Jenny said that when someone's child has cancer, people bring you food and lend a sympathetic ear but when someone's child has Autism, they tend to look away and not know how to act. So, so true. :(

4. It is very hard for me to look at pictures or videos of Riley when he was a baby. He was so perfect. But, he is still the same child that I once thought was perfect. No one is perfect, anyways!!!

5. I have no idea what caused Riley's Autism. I am on the fence about the vaccination idea. I do know that after Riley's four month shots he developed a high fever and that's when the seizure-like activities started. Thankfully he only had those for a few months. But, why did he get them at all??

6. A Mother's instinct is never to be reckoned with! When there is something a little off with your child, you absolutely know it! There was no way that I was going to believe that boys talk later than girls or that Riley would "come around in his own time." Early intervention is so important in making a difference.

What would you do? Anything you can to make a difference and to break through that wall. We have had to borrow money and take out loans just to pay for these first critical years. Riley's school is almost an extra house payment per month for just two and a half hours of much needed therapy. We never know where the money is going to come from but God always provides.....plus our families have been very helpful.

Having hope and working with Riley daily has been hard, but hearing him asking me for a cookie, or singing a song that he learned at school has made it all worthwhile. His favorite song is the Days of the Week song that they sing at school. Today, I looked in the floor and was amazed at what I saw. First I asked Kylie if she had been working with Riley's puzzle. When she said, "No" , I was not shocked at what I saw. My little genius had the first letter of each of the days of the week lined up. Since he didn't have two of each letter, he used the second letter of Thursday which is the "H" and the second letter of Saturday, which is "A".

He never seems to amaze me and I love him for that little person that he is and also who he is striving to become. I will never understand why God picked me of all people to be Riley's mother. I would like to take it as a compliment. Image God thinking that Alan and I are strong enough to make a difference in our son's life. I will be honest, though and tell you that I am not ready to thank God for this task just yet, but I am fairly confident that I will be able to one day. I do, however, thank Him for letting me be a part of his life.