Autism Moms Are Beautiful Summer Issue 2018

SUMMER 2018

Autism Moms Are Beautiful

NO. 4 • $2.99

AMAB

4 BEAUTIFUL QUOTES

STEVE LEVINE

ZALYN'S BOULEVARD

To Keep You Smiling

Autism Dad

Go-To-Styling Tips

AMAB AUTISM MOMS ARE BEAUTIFUL

Editor-in-Chief Chief Advisor

Nichole Wilson Steve Levine

Creative Director

Nichole Wilson

Managing Editor

Ashlee Viesca

Style Editor

Nichole Wilson

Associate Editor

Jean TenBrink

Assistant Editor

Janley Coan

Editorial Assistant

Haley Ahart Keiffer

Autism Moms Are Beautiful www.amabeautiful.org AMAB P.O. Box 841428 Pearland, Texas 77584 Cover photo: Michelle Media

editor's note Autism Moms Are Beautiful is a magazine that reminds Autism Moms that they are not alone. Our goal is to inspire all of our readers. We appreciate the love and support from Autism Moms and the community. The theme of this issue is Victorious and Allegiance. Victorious is Autism Moms every day. We work hard and triumph for acceptance.

Our Allegiance to advocating for our babies brings us such joy while sharing our experiences with others. We must continue to stay strong for our little ones. By doing this, we let everyone know that Autism Moms Are Beautiful, and we rock the universe!

Nichole Wilson EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Makeup: Camilia Wilson Photo: Point and Click Photography

contents

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STEVE LEVINE Autism Dad

09 THE DECAF SEGMENT Autism Moms Let It Out

11 GISET KING Autism Mom

Ana

13

AMAB AWARD CEREMONY Autism Moms Are Beautiful 2018

20 Haley

Ashlee

ZALYN'S BOULEVARD Go-To-Styling Tips

23 4 BEAUTIFUL QOUTES To Keep You Smiling

Liza Photos by: Michelle Media

Remax Pearland Yvonne Walker 832-385-2264 Callyvonnewalker@gmail.com

www.amabeautiful.org

STEVE LEVINE

autism dads rock

INTERVIEWED BY: NICHOLE WILSON

When Haley Ahart-Keiffer (Spring Issue 2018 Cover Model) introduced me to Steve Levine, I was excited to meet such a wonderful person and business man. Mr. Levine took a liking to Autism Moms Are Beautiful. He set up a meeting with me to give me the best advice for running a magazine. I am beyond proud to have him as the Chief Advisor for AMAB Magazine.

Nichole Wilson: How old was your

son when you found out he was autistic?

Steve Levine: My son was three and a half years old when he was diagnosed.

NW: How were you impacted by the

results?

SL: Yes, we were devastated. We were unsure of what the word meant and how to deal with it. We were not able to accept it at first.

NW: Did you do therapy for your

son at an early age?

SL: Yes, we were fortunate to find an autism community in Atlanta.

C.A.D.E.F. (Childhood Autistic Diagnostic and Education Foundation) is a group of other autism parents and professionals raising money for a diagnostic and education facility. The Diagnostic & Education Center was at Emory University where he attended "The Model Classroom" with two trained facilitators. It was sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church. It was very helpful to have other parents we could talk to.

NW: During puberty time, how was

that?

SL: He doesn't understand what it is about.

NW: Did you have breakdowns and

difficult moments throughout the growing process with your son?

SL: Early on, his mom and I both mourned the special needs child we

Crystal Gayle & Tim Levine (Steve son) 5

had and the “perfect" child we didn't have.

However, there were other caring parents in the community to counsel us and share their experiences with us.

NW: How is your son doing now as an adult?

SL: He is very happy in a group home. He has two

divorced parents and very, very supportive stepparents, siblings, step-siblings, and other relatives who love him very much and spend a lot of quality time with him.

NW: What advice can you give other Autism

Dads?

SL: It's not your fault! You did nothing wrong.

Your special needs son/daughter is going to need your strength and love more than ever.

Tim with his brother, Jason

Including Kids, INC. 18401 Timber Forest Drive Humble, TX 77346 Telephone 281-852-0501 Fax 281-852-0502 info@includingkids.org Business Hours – 8am to 4pm

Including Kids, INC. was founded 15 years ago with the mission of providing educational and therapeutic instruction using the principles of applied behavior analysis for children with autism and related developmental delays, endeavoring to facilitate their inclusion in the community.

Today, Including Kids has served over 900 families from 13 counties in the Greater Houston area. We have created a quality full-time program that continues to change the lives of young adults and children with autism, offering them a chance to be included in the community.

www.macysmiracles.net

The Decaf Segment Let It Out Autism Moms

Maybe if you discipline your child, he won’t act like that!

How many Autism Moms are tired of hearing this?

This is how we really want to respond:

Maybe, if you read anything about autism, you wouldn't look so ignorant.

Don't speak about something you have no idea about. Education is the key!

I think you probably need to stop talking to me!!!

If things were that simple, then we would all have picture perfect children like yours.

Maybe if you minded your business, I wouldn't have to curse you out!

Let it out credits: Melanie Clarke, Marilyn Elaine Jones-Hatton, Vaughn Marie, Annetta Washington, Tabatha Barron

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Interviewed by: Ashlee Viesca Photo by: point and click photography

GISET KING Autism Mom Who Rocks

The true embodiment of a warrior mom, Giset King fights tirelessly for her daughter to succeed in life all while balancing her career, her marriage, her family life, and her social life. Although some days can be rough, Giset bravely faces each day with a positive mindset and an open heart. I was so pleased when I got the opportunity to interview her.

She is truly an inspiration.

Ashlee Viesca: Where are you from?

Giset King: I am from the Enchanted Island in Puerto Rico. I’m currently living in Rosharon, Texas.

AV: Where did you meet your husband?

GK: We meet in Yahoo Groups through a Single Christian chat. We both lived in Puerto Rico in the past, but we grew up in different towns. We started out as friends. We were so different! Eventually, we discovered that our differences balanced each other out though, and we realized we were meant to be with each other.

AV: As a teacher, how do you find balance?

GK: My temperament is CholericSanguineous, which means my life gravitates around goals and fun. I am a goal setter. Reaching the goals I set for myself has pushed me to new heights. I wake up early every

morning, so I can have time to think, plan, and assess the day. I prioritize things daily. Every day, I make sure I have time to grow, laugh, and spend time with family. Flexibility is key.

Some days, I work as a teacher, give a workout class, and make a cake from scratch. However, other days, if the kids are safe and had dinner, I will call it a day.

AV: How many children do you have? When your daughter was diagnosed with Autism, how did you feel?

GK: I have two daughters, Kayra (10) and Krysta (8). When Kayra was diagnosed with Autism, my world 11

collapsed. We experienced the cycle of guilt, anger, depression, and frustration. My husband had a hard time as well. His brother was autistic, so the guilt was hard for him. We had good emotional and spiritual support from friends and family.

Their amazing support helped us to move forward.

AV: Are you in the support of therapy?

GK: At this time, there is no cure for Autism. As a mom, I totally support therapy. ABA therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and play therapy—all of these are tools to help our kids succeed. They have sensory

issues that can be overwhelming, and these therapies give them tools to teach them to thrive and deal with all the things they experience.

AV: Did you and your husband see eye to eye on what to do for Kayra?

GK: Most of the time, we do. When we do not agree right away, we talk it over and weigh the pros and cons. In the end, it is all about what is best for her. That always helps us to seal the deal.

AV: What do you do for yourself to relax?

GK: At the beginning of my motherhood journey, I was not good

at relaxing. In the last five years, I have learned how important it is to take time for myself, to be a good mommy and recharge. Every day I need to do 3 things: A devotional, a workout, and at least watch one funny video. These things are therapeutic for me.

AV: What advice can you give other Autism Moms?

GK: Get rid of guilt and obstacles.

Be bold for yourself and your child.

Don't be afraid to try new things. Do not be ashamed of other people’s reactions. Never stop dreaming about the possibilities this world has for you and your child.

KYKS – Keeping Your Kids Safe kyksfirst.com Please like us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyks1st/ 281-782-3952

Javania White

Mariana Mack

Lanora Laws

Bridgette Hadnott

Kaci Hancock

AMAB Award Ceremony 2018 Marilyn Elaine Jones-Hatton

AMAB Award Ceremony

Adriana Beasleyb

Andreza CarlĂŠo

Adriana Saavedra

Belinda Hernandez

Leslie Rogers

Yvonne Walker

Seth Keiffer

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Carl Ducena

Donna Shatara Porche

Janley Coan

Brandi Holmes

Logan Lester

Tina Chandler

Kaci Hancock

Janice Warren & Judy Blake

Haley Ahart-Keiffer

Ashlee Viesca

Cynthia Ahart

Troy Titus

Nikita Hodge

Monet Malone

Haley Ahart-Keiffer

Candice Webb

Christal Mercier

Casual & Ashanti Pitts

Nichole Wilson

Ray Hewitt

Jacqueline Kinloch

Zalyn's BoulevardÂ

"Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live."

Gianni Versace

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www.bcbg.com

4 Beautiful Quotes Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.

Thich Nhat Hanh The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller Beauty is when you can appreciate yourself. When you love yourself, that's when you're most beautiful.

Zoe Kravitz Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.

Misty Copeland

AMAB Treasurer JANET COAN

AUTISM MOMS ROCK Â VIDEO SHOOT

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