But mama, “What is autism?” My sweet daughter innocently asked me. I let out a long sigh I had been holding in while she asked. And I let out what sounded like a laugh, only because it was a hard question that I truly didn’t have an answer for. “What is autism?” That’s a question I’ve asked myself so many sleepless nights. How do you explain autism to another person, especially a child. While I am still searching for the answer to “what autism is”, I do have a really…
I looked around while standing in the security line at the O’Hare International airport. Time to go home. I was only here for 24 hours. Not even really. I attended an amazing event for an amazing cause and slept through the night. I call that a successful trip. My hands were full, as they usually are. I was juggling my 2 bags, ID, cell phone and cup of coffee. I always get nervous in the security line. Like I’m breaking some law I didn’t know about. I picture myself getting…
I wonder if they realize how hard it is to have a child who cannot have a conversation. I wonder if they realize it’s even harder to place that child on a bus to be with people you don’t really know. I wonder if they realize we are counting on them to follow a well-written education plan with not only goals for success but also strategies built in that will help my child feel calm and safe when they are anxious, upset, and out of sorts. I wonder if they…
I received a lot of questions when I shared that I was getting my nonverbal 13-year-old son a cell phone. To be honest, I questioned myself. But I had a dream laced with hope and determination. Verbally speaking is not possible for my son right now. He shows no desire. We’ve modeled pretty much every other type of communication you can imagine too. Sign language. Gestures. A speech device. Spelling. And so on. Sometimes his autism feels like a closed door. Or something just out of reach. I can see…
What I want the world to know about my daughter My daughter is autistic, nonverbal, and has apraxia. She has debilitating anxiety. She has a monkey on her back, and it’s called autism. It confines her ability to enjoy and experience life. It has robbed her of so many things—relationships, children, and a career, to name a few. This isn’t the case for all autistic people, as it affects everyone differently, with varying degrees. My daughter has struggled immensely throughout her life. Her differences are at times invisible and other…
“I wanted to help individuals who felt alone.” When I first learned about my autism diagnosis at 11 1/2, I often wished for a role model on the autism spectrum, someone who had navigated a similar path and could offer guidance and understanding. At that time, my awareness of the broader autism community was limited. I wasn’t yet familiar with the influential voices in the field. Now, as an adult who has navigated many challenges and has established a career as a professional speaker and author, I am privileged to…
Today is my son Sawyer’s eleventh birthday. Which is a really big deal. Because according to him he’s basically 16. I am a storyteller. At least I consider myself one. I think our stories are what complete us. And telling stories about Sawyer are my favorite. And I write them down so one day, when I am old and grey, we will have them to look at. This is my favorite Sawyer story… We had arrived at Cooper’s school to pick him up for the day. It was Jamie, Sawyer,…
My son, Your birthday is in 8 days. You have been counting down since mid December. You love your birthday. And you love being older. So much so that you are already telling people you are 11 years old. I lovingly correct you every time, reminding you that you are still my 10 year old. For a few more days at least. I also threaten you with a potion that will keep you little forever. When you were younger you belived me that it would work. You aren’t scared anymore.…
“Why would you bring her?” Those five words sent chills down my spine. My daughter Kya is 13 and on the autism spectrum. Sometimes the simplest of things can be hard for her. And things that most take for granted like waiting, sleep, and language. Last weekend I took Kya to the States to buy the Gerber yoghurt melts that she loves. We live in Canada, and we only have a certain kind, and she loves the ones that are available in the States. On our way home going through…
Every morning I wake up to messages from people on social media. Most are well-meaning. Many are kind. A few are awful. Some are bizarre. And some, tell me how to raise my son. And how I’m doing it wrong. They tell me what I should be doing, how I can do it better, and what I can and cannot say about him. I’ve gathered a list of what I cannot say. I cannot say he has autism. Or is autistic. I can’t say he is nonverbal or nonspeaking. I…
