My latest feature article at Suite 101, Transitions for Autistic Teens, is the start of a new series of articles I will be writing that focuses on issues surrounding adults with autism. Much of the publicity centered around autism these days is on children. However, these children with autism grow up to become adults with autism. As the diagnostic rates increase, the adult autistic population will naturally grow. Providing support and services for teenagers with autism as they transition to young adulthood is important.

In addition to my feature article, I also stepped back in to the Partners and Parents section of Suite 101 and wrote an article on The Top Internet Toy Stores and Kids Natural Personal Care Items.  The online toy stores I spotlighted are FAO Schwarz, Fat Brain Toys, Rosie Hippos and Toys R Us.  For the personal care items article, I chose to discuss the benefits of using products by California Baby, Burt’s Bees and Dr. Bronner’s.

I am currently in the process of writing another article for a print publication.  This time, my article will be published in the Journal of Attachment Parenting International (API).  I have been involved with API since 2004 but this will be the first time I’ve contributed to the Journal.  My deadline is 1/31 and I’ll be looking at an article length of approximately 1,500 words.  Once it is published I’ll be sure to post an excerpt here.

I also published one more article yesterday at Suite 101 - The Autism Research Institute.  The article details the research done by the ARI and its founder, Dr. Bernard Rimland.  I wasn’t able to get any new articles published today as my day was spent writing about King Asoka and his contribution to Buddhism through the building of stupas throughout India. 

Insomnia can be a curse but it can also be great for brainstorming. As I sit in bed, wishing I were asleep, I will often get ideas for new articles. I keep my iPhone on my nightstand so I’ll quickly jot down an electronic note with the idea. Both of today’s Suite 101 articles were a direct result of a night of insomnia.

Autism Conferences in 2008 highlights four distinctly different autism conferences that are scheduled this year. I was going to title the article “2008 Autism Conferences” but then figured that could be misread as me listing 2008 different autism conferences. *wink*

The second article I wrote today highlights Autism Education Models. Having two children on the autism spectrum I am quite familiar with the typical models of education used for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Tomorrow I hope to branch out and finish up the two Valentine’s Day articles I have in the works.

If you’re interested, subscribe to my Suite 101 Articles RSS feed.

I have added four new articles on autism spectrum disorders to my Suite 101 profile. I am attempting to provide a diversified view of autism spectrum disorders without allowing my personal feelings on the topics come into play. I hope that the articles are transparent.

History of Autism in the DSM
Asperger’s Comorbid Conditions
The Autism Dictionary
Biomedical Therapies for Autism

I have decided to pursue the Feature Writer position under the Autism/Asperger’s topic.  Feature Writers not only contribute to Suite 101 through articles, they are also responsible for maintaining the topic homepage focusing on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), writing a weekly blog, creating polls, and moderating the discussion forums specific to the topic.

I have written five new articles and all are under the general topic of autism spectrum disorders.

Defining Neurodiversity
Exploring the Autism Spectrum
Online Autism Screening Tools
Sensory Integration and Autism
Autism Therapy Choices

I am also working on an article for a local monthly magazine. It is due by February 15 and is about halfway written. Fingers crossed that they accept it for publication!

I’ve been inspired by the beautiful view I have from my backyard. Looking at the beautiful Superstition Mountains has pushed me to write about the beauty of the Arizona outdoors.

Arizona Outdoors Vacation

Arizona’s Superstition Mountains

I plan on several more articles detailing the beautiful outdoor offerings from the State of Arizona. It’s the middle of winter and our daytime highs, in the desert, are in the 60s. This is perfect weather for hiking. If snow is more your speed Arizona also has several snowy recreation areas. The state is diverse, I love it!

More articles about Arizona Travel include:

Tucson’s Top Five Spas

Miraval Life in Balance Resort, AZ

The Canyon Ranch Tucson Spa Resort

Super Bowl XLII Glendale, Arizona

Today was a busy writing day, my last article is not related to Arizona travel - Top Toddler Websites.  This article earned an Editor’s Choice Award from the Partners and Parents editor at Suite 101.

As a follow-up to my Sensory Fun:  Heavy Work Activities article, I have now published Sensory Fun:  Messy Play; Messy Play Helps Children with Tactile Defensiveness.

All kids love to get messy, right?  Actually, that is not the case.  Children with tactile defensiveness do not like to get messy leading to obvious distress on their part.  Finger painting, running barefoot through the grass, and eating with their hands are not comfortable activities for children with tactile defensiveness.  Sensory Fun:  Messy Play lists easy to implement at home ideas that are used by occupational therapists to increase a child’s receptiveness to tactile input.

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate this holiday.  While the children are playing with their new toys, I have time to update my blog.  I have only written one article in the past few days as I have been very busy with the holidays.  Calm an Autistic Child’s Tantrum: Deep Pressure and a Soothing Voice Help During a Public Meltdown was written based on my personal experience as a mother of two children on the autism spectrum.  Public meltdowns are difficult on everyone involved:  the child is obviously overwhelmed and very much needs to be calmed, the caregiver is equally overwhelmed as she is trying to calm the child while preventing both personal injury as well as injury to the child.  It is difficult because of the public stigma associated with children who have meltdowns, especially older children.  A child having a tantrum is obviously a result of bad parenting (sarcasm) and the looks and comments that follow put more pressure on the caregiver.  My message to the public is please don’t be so quick to judge when you see a child having a meltdown.  If you want to say something, offer words of encouragement of even ask if help is needed. 

I have published another article at Suite 101.  Continuing on in the tradition of writing what I’ve had personal experience with, I have chosen to write about heavy work activities:  Sensory Fun:  Heavy Work Activities Five Ways to Meet Your Child’s Sensory Needs focuses on methods that occupational therapists use in order to assist a child with sensory processing disorder (SPD).  SPD, sometimes called sensory integration dysfunction, is common among children with autism spectrum disorders.  Implementing these heavy work activities leaves both caregiver and child feeling relaxed.

Welcome to MHOWriting.com.   My name is Melissa and I have been freelance writing off and on since the 8th grade.  Over the past 12 months I have refocused my energy on writing and am now hoping to branch out and explore different avenues.  For more information on my history, and what motivates me, please read the About Me page.  MHOwriting.com will contain links to my most recent online articles and information about other freelance writing gigs I have been hired for. 

I was recently approved as a contributing writer for Suite101.com; Suite 101 has been a fixture of the internet for over 10 years.  The site currently employs approximately 800 writers and features more than 100,000 articles in over 400 different topics.  To date I have published a variety of articles as a contributing writer for Suite 101.  If you would like to subscribe to my RSS feed click here:  Melissa Hincha-Ownby’s Suite 101 RSS Feed.

Suite 101 Articles:

Holiday Survival and Autism:  How to Survive the Holiday Season with a Child with Autism

International Christmas Traditions:  Add Some International Flair to Your Christmas Celebration

Gold Canyon, Arizona Golf Courses:  A Guide to the Golf Courses in Gold Canyon, Arizona

The Feingold Diet - Help for ADHD:  Can Diet Affect Behavior?

As you can see the topics are a bit varied but I am still getting my feet wet, so-to-speak, so I’m exploring different subject matters.  If you are a web-based freelance writer and have any words of wisdom or would like to exchange links, please leave me a comment.