Fashion

Over the years I have failed miserably in the department of fashion. But lets face it, my lifestyle screams sneakers and hoodies. When I enter a room with my children I doubt anyone is thinking, "Cute shoes". With four children, three of which are young boys, I have to dress like I am training for a 15k marathon. So as soon as they start making athletic stilettos, I'm on board.

My sixteen year old sister discovered the truth of this while she was staying with us during the summer. She had to shed her flipflops to chase my autistic son into the busy street by the park. He was, what the autism world calls, a 'bolter' at that time. His obsession was racing into streets. I think he liked to hear tires squeal, but it could also have been the noise and heat of a running car that he liked best. That was the summer we banned all outings.

His new obsession is clothes chewing. Yes you heard me right, he tries to eat his clothes. My husband and I attended a training workshop on behavioral therapy. They stressed the importance of dressing your autistic children stylishly so they will be more socially acceptable. Come on, really? I don't think Daegan's pants are going to make him popular. I would think that the shirt soaked from neckline to navel, with holes chewed into the collar, would be more of a turnoff then his lack of designer jeans. But what do I know about fashion?