Lonnie Pacelli's Blog, page 61

Lesson 31 - Will he always need our help?

Six-Word Lessons for Dads with Autistic Kids on Amazon, kindle, iTunes, Nook and moreWhen we compare Trevor's with Briana's "neediness indexes," both still need us for different things. Trevor needs a bit more coaching on new life skills events, such as signing up for college classes for the first time. We are very deliberate in establishing our parental role as coaches and tell him, "Our job is to tell you what we think, your job is to decide what to do with it."

See all 100 lessons at GrowingUpAutistic.com.

Lesson 30 - Schedule constraints: the doable becomes undoable.

Six-Word lessons for Project Managers on Amazon, kindle, iTunes, Nook and moreA well-defined scope can't save a project that has misaligned expectations of delivery. 

Articulate the scope/schedule misalignment and identify alternatives to reduce scope or elongate schedule.

See all 100 lessons at 6WordLessons.com.

Lesson 35 - Project without contingency. You kidding me?

Six-Word Lessons for Project Managers on Amazon, kindle, iBooks, Nook and moreAt times, to bring a plan on schedule or at budget, a PM will reduce budget or schedule contingency to "make it fit."

Projects are no place for "Hail Mary" acts. Include an agreed-upon budget and schedule contingency.

See all 100 lessons at 6WordLessons.com.

Lesson 33 - One doesn't believe he has ASD.

Six-Word Lessons for Dads with Autistic Kids on Amazon, kindle, iTunes, Nook and moreI've met a number of parents where one spouse was in denial about an ASD diagnosis for their child. This is quite simply a recipe for disaster. If necessary, get a second opinion, but be proactive in taking steps to ensure you both align on the ASD diagnosis.

​See all 100 lessons at GrowingUpAutistic.com.

Lesson 36 - No contingency left. Where'd it go?

Six-Word Lessons for Project Managers on Amazon, kindle, iBooks, Nook and morePMs rarely track consumption of budget and schedule contingency. It's either there or gone.

In each status report show how much of a project's budget and schedule contingency has been consumed.

See all 100 lessons at 6WordLessons.com.

Lesson 22 -Their senses are much more sensitive.

Six-Word Lessons for Dads with Autistic Kids on Amazon, kindle, iTunes, Nook and moreSenses such as smells, sounds and touch are more sensitive in people with ASD, and they can be much more amplified, causing sometimes severe and unusual reactions. Trevor is sensitive to loud noises, and in elementary school he wore headphones at events such as school assemblies to drown out the high noise levels. As an adult, he is more tolerant, but still gets agitated at unexpected or sudden loud noises.

​See all 100 lessons at GrowingUpAutistic.com.

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My Son, Trevor, just graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Film & Media Studies.  He now works for Consetta group and is focused on Film, Photography, and managing Growing Up Autistic.  Subscribe to his movie reviews on Trevor's View on Hollywood.   

Lesson 36 - One doesn't want to be involved.

Six-Word Lessons for Dads with Autistic Kids on Amazon, kindle, iBooks, Nook and moreIn my opinion, having one parent shoulder the full weight of caring for and nurturing an ASD child while the other plays the role of non-existent parent is worse than a single person raising an ASD child on his or her own. The involved parent has enough on his or her plate without having to deal with an apathetic spouse. If there are two parents, ensure that both are involved.

See all 100 lessons at GrowingUpAutistic.com.

Lesson 34 - Estimate to complete isn't remaining budget.

Six-Word Lessons for Project Managers on Amazon, kindle, iTunes, Nook and moreInexperienced PMs tend to subtract actual budget spent from total budget to derive ETC which likely isn't true.

Make sure estimate to complete is an aggregate of remaining work on project, not just what is left in the budget.

See all 100 lessons at 6WordLessons.com.

Lesson 35 - One wants to make him normal.

Six-Word Lessons for Dads with Autistic Kids on Amazon, kindle, iBooks, Nook and more.At the writing of this book there is no known cure for any of the Autism Spectrum Disorders. You have to work together based on a goal of supporting your child with ASD, not trying to cure him of it. You'll have much great success if you adopt a mindset of acceptance.

See all 100 lessons at GrowingUpAutistic.com.