invited to a birthday party!!!!

[Guest guest]

Cathy,

My personal opinion, hooray!!!! someone wants to learn more awareness. I've

also too been blessed with invitations, which now with the diet was getting

overwhelming. Pizza, ice cream, cake, and oh let's not forget the goodie

bags.

Last spring we must have had a party every weekend. I finally had to start

saying no.

The parent calling and wanting to know about your sons needs, that's

wonderful she wants to include him and not brush off any needs your child

might have. I would guess that the diet info was from her daughter. The kids

are very observant and if you bring special snacks for other things at

school they ask and want to know everything.

She probably meant she didn't want to upset you by inviting him without

acknowledging his dietary needs and if she response the way the parents have

responded to me, she will be asking you for suggestions for HER to do for

him. Everyone wants to buy special things at the store and really don't

understand it's not always that easy to just tell someone else what our

children can and can't eat. ;-)

Good luck. I'm sure when you return the phone call you'll probably make a

friend. You might be surprised as I was one day when the parent actually

knew about the diet because a sibling was following the diet. ;-)

Hooray!

hugs, Joyce

Subject: invited to a birthday party!!!!

Hi all,

My son, Cody, who is in Kindergarten got invited to his first party. I'm

very excited, but also a little uneasy. Here is why.... The child's mom left

me a phone message regarding the party. She stated she didn't want to

" upset " me by sending the invitation without talking to me because she knows

Cody is on a special diet. I'm not sure how she knows....maybe from her

child. She says her daughter likes Cody and seems have special friendship

with him. My question is this, how much have others said or not said to

other parents that you don't know or have never met about your child's

diagnosis. I'm a little negative at times and feel that she might be

interested in more than his dietary needs. Please help!!!!!!!

Cathy

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

My son, Cody, who is in Kindergarten got invited to his first party. I'm very

excited, but also a little uneasy. Here is why.... The child's mom left me a

phone message regarding the party. She stated she didn't want to " upset " me by

sending the invitation without talking to me because she knows Cody is on a

special diet. I'm not sure how she knows....maybe from her child. She says her

daughter likes Cody and seems have special friendship with him. My question is

this, how much have others said or not said to other parents that you don't know

or have never met about your child's diagnosis. I'm a little negative at times

and feel that she might be interested in more than his dietary needs. Please

help!!!!!!!

Cathy

[Guest guest]

Cathy

Great news! GO GO GO!

ON what to say about the special diet: say this " Your son Cody is HOSPITAL

- 9-1-1 allergic to wheat and dairy. Thanks for thinking of us. Can I

please bring some cupcakes to share with all the kids so Cody feels special

too? " Keep it short, sweet and easy to understand and he will have a

blast. You want Cody to feel like part of the group so bring something to

share so he can see others eating his special food. You will find folks will

like Cody's cupcakes too!

That should do it! I go into details for dear family and friends... but

keep it light at birthday parties with new acquaintances. I have found

folks treat Jeff differently when he is labeled. When he does not have a

label, folks treat him like one of the bunch. It is just some thoughts for

you to consider

a Jeffs mom

invited to a birthday party!!!!

Hi all,

My son, Cody, who is in Kindergarten got invited to his

first party. I'm very excited, but also a little uneasy. Here is why....

The child's mom left me a phone message regarding the party. She stated she

didn't want to " upset " me by sending the invitation without talking to me

because she knows Cody is on a special diet. I'm not sure how she

knows....maybe from her child. She says her daughter likes Cody and seems

have special friendship with him. My question is this, how much have others

said or not said to other parents that you don't know or have never met

about your child's diagnosis. I'm a little negative at times and feel that

she might be interested in more than his dietary needs. Please help!!!!!!!

Cathy

[Guest guest]

While it wasn't a kid's party, we had a birthday party

to go to over the weekend. I explained in advance

that we follow a special diet and I brought food with

us. Everyone tried the cake I made and loved the

peanut butter cup icing. I can't think the mom would

mind if you offered to make her life easier by helping

with the food.

In terms of openness about the diagnosis, that's a

personal thing. For me it came down to two things.

One was wanting people to understand that autism is

not necessarily as depicted in " Rain Man " . The other

thing was that I used to feel vaguely ashamed when

people would stare or wonder why Milo didn't respond

when they tried to be friendly. It took talking with

my grandmother to realize that there was no more need

for me to be ashamed of his autism than there would be

a need to apologize for his eyes being hazel. It's

part of him, and no more shameful than someone with

high blood pressure, cerebral palsy, dandruff, or any

other condition.

These days I tell everyone Milo is autistic and

explain what it is if they don't know the term. I

figure the more people I educate, the more potential

for understanding. And who knows, maybe somebody who

meets Milo will help another mom's child be diagnosed

sooner, or contribute to research, or care for an

autistic child, or even cast a vote, whether for a

candidate or as an elected official, that impacts

legislation that affects my child.

--Sharlene

--- and Cathy herard@...> wrote:

> Hi all,

>

> My son, Cody, who is in Kindergarten got invited to

> his first party. I'm very excited, but also a

> little uneasy. Here is why.... The child's mom left

> me a phone message regarding the party. She stated

> she didn't want to " upset " me by sending the

> invitation without talking to me because she knows

> Cody is on a special diet. I'm not sure how she

> knows....maybe from her child. She says her

> daughter likes Cody and seems have special

> friendship with him. My question is this, how much

> have others said or not said to other parents that

> you don't know or have never met about your child's

> diagnosis. I'm a little negative at times and feel

> that she might be interested in more than his

> dietary needs. Please help!!!!!!!

>

> Cathy

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

My question is this, how much have others said or not said to other

parents that you don't know or have never met about your child's

diagnosis

Cathy,

When I encounter this situation, I consider it a GREAT opportunity to

educate the public! I discuss Brett's situation openly with anyone

willing to listen to me. I can guarantee that the parents of kids in

Brett's preschool class know much more about autism than most people,

and they have all lost any " fear " they had of autistic kids by seeing

that Brett is a great kid, just like their own!

I'd be sure to bring my own gfcf cupcake, and hang out in the wings

during the party to make sure all is well. How exciting for your son

to be invited! )

Party on-

Sue

[Guest guest]

> These days I tell everyone Milo is autistic and

> explain what it is if they don't know the term. I

> figure the more people I educate, the more potential

> for understanding. And who knows, maybe somebody who

> meets Milo will help another mom's child be diagnosed

> sooner, or contribute to research, or care for an

> autistic child, or even cast a vote, whether for a

> candidate or as an elected official, that impacts

> legislation that affects my child.

Sharlene,

Yay for you! Well said! Thanks for getting the word out-

sue

[Guest guest]

I have no problem sharing my son's diagnosis or what I am doing about it

with others. It is my opportunity to educate other parents who probably

have had no contact with autism at all. I find most are interested in

knowing more. When people understand why your child acts the way he

does, they don't fear it. This attitude gets passed on to their children

and there is more acceptance by everyone. Decide in advance how you

would answer the question " Should I explain this to my child? " because

you will be asked that many times. For now I say if the child asks, tell

them. Most kids just think my son is much younger than he actually is.

-

P.S. I have found other parents to be extremely helpful in telling me

when they are going to bring treats to class so I can make my son one

that looks just like theirs.

-- invited to a birthday party!!!!

Hi all,

My son, Cody, who is in Kindergarten got invited to his first party.

I'm very excited, but also a

little uneasy. Here is why.... The child's mom left me a phone message

regarding the party. She

stated she didn't want to " upset " me by sending the invitation without

talking to me because she

knows Cody is on a special diet. I'm not sure how she knows....maybe

from her child. She says her

daughter likes Cody and seems have special friendship with him. My

question is this, how much have

others said or not said to other parents that you don't know or have

never met about your child's

diagnosis. I'm a little negative at times and feel that she might be

interested in more than his

dietary needs. Please help!!!!!!!

Cathy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/25/01 7:14:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time, mynuet@...

writes:

> Peanut Butter Cup Frosting: (my suggestions in

> parentheses):

>

> 1 cup smooth peanut butter (can use Soynut Butter, I

> bet it would taste great with Chocolate Soynut Butter)

>

What about almond butter? My DAN dietitian wants me to avoid peanut butter.

Debbie

[Guest guest]

--- Foland lisacna@...> wrote:

> Mind posting the recipe for gf/cf peantu butter cup

> frosting? sounds

> good. F

Sure! It tasted like the inside of a Reese's peanut

butter cup and even the non-gfcf partygoers thought it

was wonderful. I got it from gfcfrecipes@yahoogroups,

and it read like this:

From GF Pantry Ad for le'e Peanut Butter Cake

Peanut Butter Cup Frosting: (my suggestions in

parentheses):

1 cup smooth peanut butter (can use Soynut Butter, I

bet it would taste great with Chocolate Soynut Butter)

1/2 cup milk (or substitute)

3-4 cups confectioner's sugar (more for stiffer

frosting)

4 oz. low fat cream cheese (or Tofutti substitute)

1 Tbsp. GF Vanilla

Beat together until smooth and fluffy.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Mind posting the recipe for gf/cf peantu butter cup frosting? sounds

good. F

Re: invited to a birthday party!!!!

> While it wasn't a kid's party, we had a birthday party

> to go to over the weekend. I explained in advance

> that we follow a special diet and I brought food with

> us. Everyone tried the cake I made and loved the

> peanut butter cup icing. I can't think the mom would

> mind if you offered to make her life easier by helping

> with the food.

>

> In terms of openness about the diagnosis, that's a

> personal thing. For me it came down to two things.

> One was wanting people to understand that autism is

> not necessarily as depicted in " Rain Man " . The other

> thing was that I used to feel vaguely ashamed when

> people would stare or wonder why Milo didn't respond

> when they tried to be friendly. It took talking with

> my grandmother to realize that there was no more need

> for me to be ashamed of his autism than there would be

> a need to apologize for his eyes being hazel. It's

> part of him, and no more shameful than someone with

> high blood pressure, cerebral palsy, dandruff, or any

> other condition.

>

> These days I tell everyone Milo is autistic and

> explain what it is if they don't know the term. I

> figure the more people I educate, the more potential

> for understanding. And who knows, maybe somebody who

> meets Milo will help another mom's child be diagnosed

> sooner, or contribute to research, or care for an

> autistic child, or even cast a vote, whether for a

> candidate or as an elected official, that impacts

> legislation that affects my child.

>

> --Sharlene

>

> --- and Cathy herard@...> wrote:

> > Hi all,

> >

> > My son, Cody, who is in Kindergarten got invited to

> > his first party. I'm very excited, but also a

> > little uneasy. Here is why.... The child's mom left

> > me a phone message regarding the party. She stated

> > she didn't want to " upset " me by sending the

> > invitation without talking to me because she knows

> > Cody is on a special diet. I'm not sure how she

> > knows....maybe from her child. She says her

> > daughter likes Cody and seems have special

> > friendship with him. My question is this, how much

> > have others said or not said to other parents that

> > you don't know or have never met about your child's

> > diagnosis. I'm a little negative at times and feel

> > that she might be interested in more than his

> > dietary needs. Please help!!!!!!!

> >

> > Cathy

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I've never tried it, but I would think it would work

about the same.

--Sharlene

--- Ethrybr@... wrote:

> What about almond butter? My DAN dietitian wants me

> to avoid peanut butter.

> Debbie

__________________________________________________