Thank You to the ‘Original’ Member of our Tribe

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We want to honor our son’s speech therapist Jacqui.  She started as a person that came to our home on Saturday’s to give Carter extra help with speech, but she has become a part of our family and our Autism journey.

She is the “original” member of our tribe.

Our family lives in the Tampa Bay area, as well as almost our entire extended family.  We have a huge support network and Carter’s tribe is the most amazing group of people that I have ever gotten to have the pleasure of meeting.

I wrote this originally for Jacqui, my son Carter’s private SLP.  But I also want a to give a shout out to his ABA therapist, OT as well as school SLP, OT, Kindergarten teacher and VE teacher.

They are all important and not only to Carter, but to our entire family.

Carter was diagnosed with Mild to Moderate ASD right after he turned two. When he was first diagnosed I grieved for the life I thought I was going to have, for all the expectations I had.

But while none of this has been easy, and continues to challenge us, it has been such a blessing.

We didn’t realize how strong we were until this diagnosis happened.   And I have complete confidence in our family unit, our tribe, and Carter himself.

That kid will fly and I’m glad that we all get to go along for the ride.

Carter is the hardest working kiddo I know!  He gets the usual OT and Speech at school, but in addition gets OT, Speech and ABA at home and on the weekends as well.

When he isn’t having therapy he is running around the house with his little sister Emerson, and hanging out with his cousin Ryan (they are only ten months apart ).  Carter is easy going, eager to please and ALWAYS has a smile on this face.

He loves being outside and since we live in Florida, he has been swimming since he was one and is a total fish.

He lives at home with his mom (ME), dad, hysterically funny little sister Emerson and 4 pets….It’s a zoo.  Carter was nonverbal until 3 ½ years old.   He is now five, and doing AMAZING!!!

Carter currently is in Kindergarten and we are so proud!   It was a team effort on the part of all the fantastic therapists that have worked with him but Jacqui most of all because she just arrived and never left us!

We all look forward to Saturday Therapy because it means coffee and talking with a friend about the week we’ve had, planning activities, talking about the kiddos -Emerson doesn’t realize that therapy is just for Carter.

It’s a family thing and she is the best addition to our family.

We went to a pumpkin farm this past weekend and Carter wanted to do the zip line.

Jacqui proudly videoed him and exclaimed as he flew over her “He’s Mine”.  And she is ours!!!  Thank you Jacqui for all you do!

Written by, Amanda Stanley

My name is Amanda, I’m 34 and I live with my family in the Tampa Bay area, along with our menagerie of pets. My kids are my life, but I also have a full time job and a need to read every book I see. This Autism journey has been the most difficult challenge of my life, but we are owning it and wouldn’t change anything. It’s made our family stronger, personally made me a better mom and I appreciate the heck out of the little victories.

(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Amanda Stanley and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.)

You can still nominate the doctors, therapists, teachers, friends and family that make a difference in your special needs world. Click HERE to learn how!

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Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson lives in Minnesota with her husband Jamie, and four children, Cooper, Sawyer, Harbor and Wynnie. Kate launched Finding Cooper's Voice from her couch while her now 11-year-old son Cooper was being diagnosed with autism. Back then it was a place to write. Today it is a living, thriving community of people who want to not only advocate for autism, but also make the world a better place for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her first book, Forever Boy, will be released, April 5, 2022.

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