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	<title>Embracing Chaos</title>
	<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com</link>
	<description>The Autism Blog</description>
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		<title>Rough Week</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week was our roughest week in a long time, though technically it started the week before. Here’s a quick list: Thursday we found out that Alex would need another surgery, and it would happen soon. Also on Thursday, our tank ran out of oil—so we had no way to heat our home. On Friday, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com/2012/02/rough-week/</link>
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		<title>Midweek Music Break</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In the past I have occasionally linked to some music videos on YouTube.  This is the primary way I make use of my blog platform’s multimedia capabilities.  But it’s been a long while since I have done so.  So, for the month of February, I’m going to make it a habit. This particular video was [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com/2012/02/midweek-music-break/</link>
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		<title>Post-Op: My Tough Little Man</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In many ways, Alex still seems like a young child.  He enjoys Veggie Tales and other forms of entertainment geared for younger children, though admittedly Veggie Tales is one of those things that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.  He’s reliant on others for daily care needs.  He struggles so much with relatively simple tasks.  [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com/2012/01/post-op-my-tough-little-man/</link>
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		<title>Operation Hernia Repair, Part Deux</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I scramble out of bed after a few short hours of sleep and slip out of my warm bed into the shiver-worthy air.  I hurry downstairs to slurp up as much caffeine as I can manage as I finish up the few tasks that remain in preparation for Alex’s surgery.  It is 5:20 AM, far [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com/2012/01/operation-hernia-repair-part-deux/</link>
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		<title>Pre-Op Excellence</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Sometimes, I can’t help but feel that Alex has had a hard time of it.  It’s not just that, of my three boys, his autism is the most severe.  Or that he struggles to communicate even simple needs, and is predominantly non-verbal.  He grows frustrated, and acts out with aggression.  His sensory system is under [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com/2012/01/pre-op-excellence/</link>
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		<title>Scanning Mice Brains</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Okay, so I get that it is unethical to kick off medical experiments on people before we have some assurance of their safety.  I get that.  I’m onboard with that. But, creating autistic mice?  Really?  First, that which we call “autism” is a collection of observed behaviors.  Most observable human behaviors can have multiple causes.  [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com/2012/01/scanning-mice-brains/</link>
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		<title>Accessories to Living</title>
		<description><![CDATA[My boys don’t do very well managing the accessories of their lives.  I’m not talking matching socks and shirts or wearing dashing little outfit accessories that complete their look.  I’m talking about accessories that add value to life, but also add responsibility and change. Willy recently got glasses to help him see.  Just in case [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com/2012/01/accessories-to-living/</link>
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		<title>Worthiness</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Worthiness is a concept that haunts much of human existence.  In a world of finite resources, we cannot seem to grasp the infinite worth of our fellow human beings.  Being creatures of such a world, even our religions reflect our desire to designate worthy and unworthy human beings.  Science does no better in this regard.  [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com/2012/01/worthiness/</link>
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		<title>The Thing About Mondays</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Mondays are unusual days for me now.  At least, the post-school afternoons are unusual.  I couldn’t guarantee that I would be to bowling by its start time, so now Mark is going with Willy to his bowling league.  I’m staying home with the boys—except “the boys” quickly becomes “the boy.”  I get Alex and Ben [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com/2012/01/the-thing-about-mondays/</link>
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		<title>Our New Normal</title>
		<description><![CDATA[For those who haven’t been to our house in a while, things have changed.  What used to be the den (which was mine four years ago) is now a bedroom—Willy and Brandon’s bedroom.  I tried to talk the boys into bringing their beds into their bedroom, but they chose a couch and Cloud Nine (a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://embracingchaos.stephanieallencrist.com/2012/01/our-new-normal/</link>
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