Archive for April 2021
Reduce Stress & Meltdowns with a Visual Schedule App
Do You Feel Like You’re Always Nagging Your Child? So often I hear from parents, “I have to constantly nag or it won’t get done…” Keeping neurotypical kids on track is a struggle and truth is that it’s usually harder with special needs kids. But does it have to be so hard? The answer is no. It doesn’t. There are so many tools out there, we’re just not using them with our kids. You’ve probably seen visual schedules in the classroom and if your kiddo goes to therapy you’ve seen…
Read MoreWatching the World Through Autism’s Eyes
Hi. My name is Carrie. I am married to a man named Joe, and we have five kids. Our second child, Jack, is diagnosed with autism. He is almost seventeen years old. We spend a lot of time working on open-ended questions with Jack: who, what, where, when, and why. Who is your favorite teacher? What would you like for dinner? Where did you put your glasses? When do you want to leave for the store? Why do you think Billie Eilish is the greatest singer of all time? See, you can’t answer these kinds of questions with…
Read MoreAutism Awareness Month Feels Different This Year
I helped my boy get dressed today, as I do each morning. “One foot in sweetheart,” I quietly instructed, going through the familiar motions. I checked the calendar for a quick run down of our day… April 1st. The start of Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month. Letting out a sigh, I hurried off to gather items for Leo’s therapy sessions, my mind wandering to those earlier days, when excitement was all abuzz, as April neared. When we’d wear a certain color to commemorate the day… And Facebook posts and videos depicting individuals…
Read MoreIn One Second
My son Stalen is almost 6 years old and on the autism spectrum. His safety is my priority, always. He has no sense of safety or danger. He elopes. He is a runner. He is an opportunist. As soon as he sees an opportunity he bolts. When these incidents occur, his strength and speed are super human. He has crossed beyond the tree line into the woods on me a couple of times. He has unlocked the door once and gone outside-luckily-into our fenced in backyard. He has bolted across…
Read MoreSuicide is 3X More Likely for those on the Autism Spectrum
Why does Autism awareness and acceptance really matter? There are many reasons, but let’s talk about one of the most important reasons… SUICIDE. Suicide is three times more likely for those on the Autism spectrum studies say. They say Autistics are more likely to have anxiety and depression which obviously leads to suicide. However, I think it’s important to discuss some other factors that weigh heavily into why Autistics have anxiety and depression beyond just Autism. You may be surprised to understand that the villain in this suicide story is…
Read MoreLessons I’ve learned About Marriage While Raising a Special Needs Child
We’ve spent so much of our time and marriage teaching our son how to communicate that somewhere along the way my husband and I forgot how to effectively do that with each other. Days are long, sometimes sleepless nights feel longer and the added stress of balancing therapy appointments, bills, insurance calls, and so on makes it harder to remember you’re on the same team. I’ll never say marriage is harder for those of us raising special needs children because I have no proof that’s true, but what I can…
Read MoreI Wonder
My son, I wonder if you will always reach for my hand when we are walking. I wonder if you will always be precious and innocent. I wonder if you will always gasp at birds and at squirrels. I wonder if you will always point to airplanes. And wave to strangers. And bark when puppies walk by. I wonder if you will always run up to a mud puddle with such joy and excitement and then look back to get my attention before you jump in. I wonder if we…
Read MoreSilence and Sunshine
My son, This morning was one of those great mornings. You and I, sitting side-by-side, taking in the morning in our own familiar way. You on the couch surrounded by 7 fleece blankets and treasures. Me, right next to you in the recliner, feet up, drinking coffee. The news was going on about something or another but I couldn’t really hear it over the music blaring from your iPad. You were dancing to it. Every few seconds you would pick up my arm and move it with yours to the…
Read MoreThe Third Child
There is just something about the third child. I hear they rule the roost usually. And are often little stinkers. Both true for this one. Right now he’s two years old. The third boy. The boss. He loves Nerf Guns, monster trucks, and Blaze and the Monster Machine. He has the most pleasant personality of anyone I have ever met. He adores his brothers. He drives both of them bonkers too. Without fear. He lives on chocolate. I kid. But for real, he loves snacks and treats and raspberries. Getting…
Read MoreHe Waits for Me
For the last few weeks, I have been spending a lot of my time driving back and forth to visit my dad in the hospital. And it’s no short trip. It’s nearly 3 hours one way. This means I’ve missed being home when my boys get off of the bus. Which is okay, my dad needs me. And these boys are in more than capable hands with their dad. But it’s hard. It makes me feel out of wack, like I can’t get my bearings. I don’t like missing anything…
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