Posts by Kate Swenson
Making New Friends in the New Normal
Now that all the kids are going back to school, your child may notice that another child in their class, the hallway, at lunchtime or at recess is different than them. Your child may come home and ask you or tell you about the differences. Perhaps they will mention their physical characteristics, their special chair, orthopedics, or their different behaviors. Maybe the child refuses to wear a mask or even seems scared or excited by people in them. Maybe they will notice that another child flaps their arms or squeals…
Read MoreIn the Search For Sleep
We chase sleep this kid and I. One of us loves it. The other one not so much. Although he never misses an afternoon nap with his seven blankets and train magazines. I call him a 90-year-old man every afternoon. But the nighttime sleep, he doesn’t love it so much. He goes to bed great…always has. But his preferred time to wake up is 3 am. He comes in my room, touches my shoulder to let me know he’s awake and then he wanders downstairs. I can hear him, my…
Read MoreBalance and Progress
We just went for a family walk plus two. Cooper knew there was a train magazine waiting for him at the mailbox so even though it was not ideal walking, (90 degrees!) we got a good walk into the park before getting the mail. Before we stepped off the porch, Cooper grabbed my arm to get my attention, covered his ears with both hands, and pointed to the sky. Fireworks. He was scared. I think about his world sometimes. Fire and noise in the sky. Scared to step off the…
Read MoreBalancing Two Different Worlds
Tomorrow is the 4th of July. A fun, typically outdoor, social, loud, hot holiday. It’s also a holiday that can be very challenging for families like mine. And put a lot of stress on us. See, our older son struggles with a lot of the parts that make up the fourth. He is scared of fireworks, although he loves to watch them on his iPad. The second he hears one, no matter how far away, he takes off running and hides in our pantry. Parties overwhelm him. Most noises are too…
Read MoreI Choose Gratefulness
It’s interesting to know how much my attitude plays into this whole mothering thing. When my oldest was diagnosed with autism six years ago, my focus was him and him only. He was the one who was struggling. I needed to help him. I learned after hitting my breaking point, that my mental health mattered too. I was exhausted. I was worn down. I felt the weight of hope firmly on my back. And my attitude was being affected. I was looking at things through a sad lens. A heartbroken one.…
Read MoreEmpowered Brain: Making a Difference for People on the Spectrum
Often in this journey, I come across super cool stuff that can help kids and adults on the spectrum learn vital skills and the best part is sharing it with all of you. Empowered Brain by Brain Power is one of them. So often, children with autism, like my son Cooper, can have a hard time making eye contact when interacting and that can mean they miss out on a lot of information. Ned Sahin, founder and CEO, of Brain Power recognized that and created the tool ‘Empowered Brain,’ that…
Read MoreMama, We Are All In This Together
Mama, you are not alone. I have lost sleep too, and I don’t have all the answers. I also don’t have a crystal ball with what this back to school season will look like. My special needs kiddo also can’t wear a mask, and he can’t communicate when he’s feeling sick. He still puts things in his mouth, and he still spends more time than most on the floor. My son misses routine, and teachers, and friends. He also needs to see your mouth and your eyes when learning how…
Read MoreSome Days, I Just Want to be a Mom
When my daughter Sloane was first diagnosed with autism, I jumped both feet in the water trying to get her every resource that was available to her and arm myself with as much knowledge as I could to help her have the best the care, therapy and life that I could provide her. I also wanted to get perspectives from other parents with children with autism and learn from their journeys. And through the years, I continue to seek out advice and read stories from other parents of children with…
Read MoreMy Big Brother, My Angel
To my big brother and my angel, We are surrounded by your memory daily. Even more so now as I go through my RBT (registered behavior technician) training trying to figure out what interventions we could have done if you were still with us. So many what ifs & could haves. The fact of the matter is, you were diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome only a few years before your passing. Our family didn’t know what Asperger’s or autism was or even that something like this existed until you were in…
Read MoreA Better Place
I read what you said, how special-needs kids should be kept at home instead of going back to school this fall. “Let’s just keep these kids at home and when this passes they can come back to school. Do you really think they’ll be any different after a year of staying home with their parents?” After that you used a very ugly r-word but I am not going to repeat that quote because honestly, what’s the point? It only makes me feel angry, and raw, and defeated. I don’t usually…
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