Archive for June 2021
Beyond Measure
Like so many special needs parents, I’ve spent countless hours filling out paperwork and rating scales about my child. I know all too well what it feels like to anxiously wait in doctor offices, therapy lobbies, and conference rooms…to go over the results of various assessments, listening to the numbers that describe my son. I’ve left meetings, only to replay the conversations in my head, trying to stay positive and put the scores behind me. The numbers and scores for my son, Charlie, are always associated with significant delays and…
Read MoreDear Moms Who are Trying to Keep it Together
One of the hardest things about being a mom is holding it together when all you want to do is breakdown and cry. I see you out in public fighting back the tears. Tears that have been building up all day because you’re just exhausted. You have been up for hours with no sleep because your child is going through a sleep regression. I see the frustration in your face that you’re tired of being judged. Judged that you’re doing everything wrong. I can see it in your eyes, that…
Read MoreA Letter to Parents on Diagnosis Day
Maybe you’re just hearing the news that your child is on the autism spectrum. Or that they might be. Maybe you’re in the process of having your child evaluated. Or maybe you’re holding back from seeking a diagnosis because you’re scared. Scared of the label. Scared of hearing it out loud. Scared of the idea of forever. I understand. Every single emotion you’re feeling. But I want to show you something…. You see the photo below? This was never “supposed” to happen. My child has a friend. A friend in…
Read MoreA Boy Who is Doing His Best
This beautiful boy is nonverbal. He has severe autism and a handful of other diagnoses as well. He jumps, flaps and twirls when he’s excited. He lays down on the floor and rolls when he’s upset. He lives for dinosaurs, jumping on the trampoline, baseball and popsicles. He knows exactly what he wants and when he wants it. He just doesn’t always have the tools to express his wants and needs. Zeke hears and understands every single thing that is said to him and about him. He understands when his…
Read MoreHow Visual Schedules Overcome the Challenge of Change
Many people argue that change is important for growth. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t hard. Throw in having autism, and we’re in a whole new ball park. For kids with autism, there is almost nothing more difficult than change. Ironically, change is pretty much the only thing we can count on in life. So how do we empower kids with autism to face something so consistent, so important, yet so difficult– with confidence? Stick with me, and hopefully you’ll take away a tip or two. Why is Change…
Read MoreBetter Full Than Empty
We are slowly, gingerly, timidly, starting to venture out as a family of six. We are cautious though. See, our oldest needs two of us to help him be successful. He likes to run and sit and touch and can often be quite sneaky and fast. Our two year old needs one of us because he’s two and so does our baby. Typically me because I have dinner. And Sawyer can help but he often gets distracted by sticks and candy and forgets to hold hands. Because he’s only 8…
Read MoreJust See Him
People ask me all the time how they can help. Kind people. Loving people. Strangers. Friends. Family. People on this page. I speak about that out of control feeling that happens when my son starts struggling. When his big feelings about waiting or sitting overwhelm him. Or when the noise is too much and the lights are too bright or he smells something in the air that you and I can’t make out. Maybe we are in line at the grocery store. Or at a park. Or in the paper…
Read MorePictures in My Mind
When you become a parent, and probably even before, you imagine your child’s life. You imagine your own. You have this picture in your head of what it will look like. Scenarios. Highs. Successes. Wins. The beautiful moments. That’s normal. As humans we do that. We daydream. We imagine. When something challenges those images it can be hard. Like really hard. What you thought would be is not. I’m here to tell you that once you step off the path of what you pictured and into the unknown, your life…
Read MoreI Loved You Before I Even Knew You
On December 9th at approximately 3:42 pm on a Wednesday, you came onto this earth. And since then, my life has ever changed. You might wonder why I’m only writing to you and not Collin. Well, in my heart, I know the past year has been a struggle for you and our family. Sometimes I think we get so caught up in life’s daily to do’s and your brother’s needs that I know you feel forgotten. But this is a letter to you to let you know I do not…
Read MoreA Beautiful Night for Baseball
It was a beautiful night for some baseball! Week number two and I’m still blown away by this kid’s progress. Batting, fielding, base running, hugging, and giving high fives. All on point! And to bed immediately when we got home. Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just…
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