The Good Mom and the Slacker Mom

There is so much craziness going on today...but I just had to take a moment and blog about my friend Melanie.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day and Melanie has asked that people post the early signs of Autism on their blogs...and I am so happy to do that.

I really admire Melanie and her children. She has three of the most amazing little boys, and if ever someone was meant to be their mother, you know it was Melanie. I am constantly amazed at her ability to deal with trials and difficulty in such an easy and relaxed way. This is their life...but it isn't a trial to them...at least it doesn't seem like one to me. Because they handle everything that comes their way with grace and love.

We should all be so lucky.

So today, here's what to look for:

In clinical terms, there are a few “absolute indicators,” often referred to as “red flags,” that indicate that a child should be evaluated. For a parent, these are the “red flags” that your child should be screened to ensure that he/she is on the right developmental path. If your baby shows any of these signs, please ask your pediatrician or family practitioner for an immediate evaluation:

* No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter

* No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter

* No babbling by 12 months

* No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months

* No words by 16 months

* No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months

* Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age

This information has been provided by First Signs, Inc. ©2001-2005. Reprinted with permission. For more information about recognizing the early signs of developmental and behavioral disorders, please visit http://www.firstsigns.org or the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/actearly.

And where Melanie wins mom of the year...I win slacker mom of the year...and wouldn't you know it, but the blog today on Free Range Kids was about me...not really, but it could have been!