Ok... very long since I posted. I will work on something.

What I hate... post 2...


UBL


Yea, he's dead!!!!.  Normally, I would not rejoice over the death of a human being... but in the case of UBL, I will make an exception.  The only thing that would have been better is if he could have died 3000+ times.   And while we are at it, how about the stupidity of groups like Hamas.  There are many free thinking US citizens that would like to see peace in the middle east, and think that a Palestinian state might be a path to that.... but when the leader of Hamas calls UBL a holy warrior and martyr... forget it... they (Hamas) does not deserve the peace they claim they want.  Recognize Israel and I will reconsider.

What I hate... post 1..

For my inaugural "what I hate post", I have decided to focus my attention on those professionals that claim to understand Autism... but don't.

Pica is a condition many children have, especially those with Autism. If you work in the field of Autism, and claim to understand what Autism is... don't tell me my child is hungry because she puts stuff in her mouth all the time. That is Pica!!. Don't tell me that my child is hungry because she swallows non-food items, like glue. That is Pica!!! Don't tell me that I am starving my child when she has healthy food available-a-plenty yet is upset because she cannot have what the child next to her is having (junk food). Don't tell me my child is too thin when she is at 50% of both height and weight.. just cause she is not fat like many other children these days. Pica, Pica, Pica!!!!

My Daughters with Autism need to learn that what they chose for lunch (and yes, they chose) is what they need to eat. The professionals involved need to learn that my children are not going to go hungry if they are have to eat an apple instead of pizza. The professionals involved (who, despite my frustration right now, I do think really care about my daughters) need to learn about Autistic symptoms before they judge what they do not have a frickin' clue about. They need to learn that it is not just about the education of the child, but the life needs of the child... that these children-with-autism will most likely have to live with their affliction for the rest of their lives... not just the short amount of time that the professional has to deal with them. Furthermore, the need to understand that the parent, not the professional, will be responsible for that childs care for the rest of their life, not just a short year-or-three of a career.

Look it up.. it's call PICA!!!! It is a real condition. And don't lie to me again.

The Houck Family of Harrisburg, NC
This is our family......
	June and Doug Houck were married on June 22, 1991.  They met at NC State University and migrated to the Charlotte, NC area soon after graduation.  They have two daughters (twins!!!), Julia Marie and Kathryn Elizabeth and two cats, Sadie and Skeeziks. We live in the town of Harrisburg, NC, right outside the Charlotte city limits. See the complete pictures archive here!!! Click here to see a Christmas 2002 picture of the family. Click here to see pictures from David Hord's surprise 50th birthday party.
June
	June was born on October 7, 1966.  She was born in the District of Columbia.  Until attending college June spent her entire life in the Montgomery and Howard County areas of Maryland.  Her parents, Charlie and Joan, currently live in the same area in Woodbine, MD.   June graduated from Centennial High School in 1984 and attended college at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, NC.  She left Raleigh in 1988 with a BS in Mathematics  Education.  After an initial teaching job in the Baltimore, MD area, June  subsequently moved to the Charlotte NC area, where she has lived and taught math ever since. In October, 2001, June became pregnant.  On June 7, 2002, she gave birth (via Cesarean) to two beautiful girls.  For the time, June plans to stay at home to raise her children. June loves to stamp! Contact June
Doug
	Doug was born as Douglas Wayne Houck on December 2, 1966.  The son of a naval aviator, Doug was born near the Lakehurst, NJ Naval Air Station.  His parents (Mickey Eugene and Thelma Patterson) moved the family from NJ, to Columbus, OH, to Manassas, VA and then finally to Charlotte, NC by the time Doug was 4.  Doug has one sister (Laurie Janette).  Laurie currently lives in Wilmington, NC.  Doug graduated from South Mecklenburg High School, in Charlotte, in 1985.  Doug then pursued and received a BS in Computer Science from North Carolina State University in 1989.  After graduation, Doug immediately moved to Charlotte and obtained a position of employment at Broadway & Seymour, Inc.  Although a few acquisitions and name changes have transpired, Doug is still with the same company, WebTone Technologies, after 13 years. Contact Doug
Julia
	Julia Marie Houck was born on June 7, 2002 (11:05am) weighing 5lbs. and 1oz.  Julia has a twin sister (Kathryn). See a picture of Julia here.  See a picture of Julia with her twin sister, Kathryn, here.
Kathryn
	Kathryn Elizabeth Houck was born on June 7, 2002 (11:07am) weighing 5lbs. and 8oz.  Kathryn has a twin sister (Julia).  See a picture of Kathryn here.  See a picture of Kathryn with her twin sister, Julia, here.

Last Updated: January 26, 2003