Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 74 (Member's Dashboard) | Page 39

AUTISM SOLUTIONS People with autism often have one subject they are passionate about, and for him it’s pirates. I found a company here in Seattle, Emerald City Pirates, that does pirate cruises. We surprised him with a day cruise, and he was in heaven. The staff was incredible with my pirate-loving boy who happens to have autism. not fair for her to have a party when hardly anyone shows up for her brother’s parties. She gets a ton of presents, and he does not. But it’s not fair for her to never have parties either. The first year we were in Washington State, we invit- ed probably at least seven kids (and one of his teach- ers) from school and all but only one came! I was in shock! And he was in heaven with all the presents. It was such a wonderful blessing. Last year, I had a new idea, and I think we’ll continue with it for the time being and do parties maybe for only significant birthdays. He has had an obsession with pirates for years. People with autism often have one subject they are passionate about, and for him it’s pirates. I found a company here in Seattle, Emer- ald City Pirates, that does pirate cruises. We surprised him with a day cruise, and he was in heaven. The staff was incredible with my pirate-loving boy who hap- pens to have autism. The new Pirates of the Caribbe- an movie had just come out, so we made it into a full pirate day and watched the movie, too. It was a spectacular family day, and he had a fabulous time. His sister was jealous. She wanted an “experience” birthday, too! Our life tends to be a little different than other fami- lies that don’t have children with autism, but we can still have fun and make the most of it. Calleen Petersen says she’s an ordinary mom who has a child with autism, and a husband in law enforcement and the military. She spends her spare time advocating for special needs families. Calleen writes about her fam- ily’s life and her thoughts while residing in Washington State. Website: www.anordinarymomweb.wordpress.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/AnOrdinaryMom1 Email: [email protected] Autism Parent