Posts by Leasa Hoogerwerf
Exploring the Possibilities: Navigating the Idea of a Group Home
Not Yet … Maybe One Day … The drive wasn’t bad about 40 miles from our home. As we sat in the waiting area you seemed confused and looked a bit scared. I sat next to you. I could feel all the questions. Questions you can’t ask. Words you can’t find. I could read your soulful eyes. I didn’t know what words to choose so instead I said nothing. We were visiting our Plan B. We discussed what to tell you and decided on saying we’re seeing “new friends.” It…
Read MoreThe Silver Linings in Living Autism
My son Cody was diagnosed with severe autism at 17 months. As a parent I had no idea what that even meant. I knew no one on the spectrum. I remember sitting in a sterile office while getting our diagnosis watching my little boy wander around the room opening and closing drawers, trying to leave the room while the doctor sat calmly stating what my son’s future would be. Bleak at best. Place him, he said. You’re both young. Place him? We want him with us. We planned for him.…
Read MoreAutism: Different Yet Acceptance
We are a family that lives autism. My son Cody is 22 and has autism with speech delays. Everyday is the same day as before. It’s like being on rewind over and over and over. It’s a place I never knew existed. This place that seems so far away yet it’s our life — our reality. As I sit here reflecting and repeating words back to my son as he says them (something that needs to be done for him to move on) I realize I’m in the same place…
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