By Kim Stagliano (Cathy is off today with her five kids and their wonderful Dad.)

Remember being a kid and asking your parents, "Why isn't there a kids' day?" The usual response was, "Every day is kids' day." For those of us with children on the spectrum I suppose that's right. Every day IS kids' day. Many of our children need/require/demand levels of attention, care and support the outstrips the needs of most typical children - even those younger than our own. Don't we know it?

My children have a father who participates in their life. He can change a pad, make a gluten free meal, get the girls ready for school (well, their hair looks unkempt but he tries) and is a full partner in the day to day workload that comes with having a child on the spectrum.  I'm very lucky.

I want to remind the Dads who might not be so involved in the daily care and feeding and school issues and behavior work (not just earning the bacon, but frying it up in that pan to quote an old women's lib song) that we Moms need your help. And we often stink at asking for it. (Raising hand.)

Thank you to all  of the Dads who read AofA and who are an integral part of their son or daughter's upbringing. It's a tough job. Especially for fathers of sons - who once dreamed of varsity baseball games and summer camp outs and have had to make adjustments that respect their boys' abilities.

Happy Father's Day to all of you.