(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Cindy Heitman and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This December I want to honor and thank our son’s teacher, Shannon Tackes. I am so very grateful for Shannon! My son, Erik, has non-verbal autism. Although he can’t speak, he doesn’t have any trouble letting you know what he wants. Erik is so sweet and his giggle will make you giggle too. Erik is 6, however, he wasn’t diagnosed until he was 4 1/2 years old. Because Erik had great eye contact, was…
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I’m often asked what bits of advice would I give to parents of newly diagnosed children. Or, what would I say to my younger self to make the autism journey easier. That question always makes me think. What would I say? It’s hard because I feel that so much of it we just have to go through. It’s almost a right of passage and a journey of self discovery. These are the four things I wish I could’ve told my younger self about relationships, behaviors, hope and challenging my child.…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Tiffanie Bashay and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This December I want to honor and thank our BCBA, Kelly Guyot. Kelly has been working with Anthony and our family since November 2015 and I am so thankful she is in our lives. Our son Anthony is four years old, nonverbal and on the autistic spectrum. He has come a long way since his diagnosis two years ago! Anthony is an only child and he lives at home with his…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Alayna Ferrell and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This December I want to honor and thank Emily Sirico, a Special Education Teacher. Emily Sirico is not just a teacher to her students, she is their friend. My senior year of high school (2016-2017), I had the opportunity to job shadow a teacher. Since I was little I always knew that is what I wanted to be. The school guidance counselor sent me to Ms. Sirico’s special needs class for…
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My sweet boy, Today is your birthday. You are growing up. I think most parents would say, ‘where has the time gone?’ I don’t feel that way pal. I remember every single moment. Every high and low. Every regression and every victory. I feel like I can remember every sleepless night. I think about the hours I spent rocking you in the recliner and pacing around the living room. I can even vividly remember being a new mom and crying at the side of your crib because you didn’t sleep.…
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When I think about my life with autism and motherhood, I like to believe that I take chaos in stride. I try to find joy and approach most struggles with optimism. That’s just me. And honestly, the only way I can survive with my sanity. In saying all that, sometimes it all gets to be too much. Lately, I feel like I am waving the white flag. Surgeries, birthday parties, Pink Eye, pee, messes, snow pants, dogs, jobs, and overall feeling like crap is taking it’s toll on this mama.…
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A few weeks ago I received a comment on one of my videos that said, ‘When you talk about your son it seems like you are describing two different children. Is he high functioning or severe? Which one is it? Is he loving and sweet or exhausting and violent? Your videos are hard to watch because you are always jumping back and forth.’ I had to laugh. This woman had perfectly described the emotional roller coaster that is autism. Not only do I feel like I am describing different children…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Elizabeth North and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) I am writing in honor of Miss Toni, my daughter’s unassigned personal aide in school. She has taken on more than one could ever expect for a personal aide. She does not just care about programs, ABA and her academic success, but instead cares about her emotional growth and loves her like her own child. In 2016, my daughter Seraphina was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Although, I…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Samantha and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This December I would like to honor and thank my Mom and Dad. Without their help with my son I don’t know what I would do or where my family would be. A little bit about my family…I’m 29 and a single mother of two. My daughter Anissa is nine, absolutely beautiful and hilarious. My son Mason will turn five in December. He is the most handsome and funny little boy ever.…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Ashley Wells and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) Our daughter Lenorah is 4 years old. She has Autism Spectrum Disorder and MERLD (Mixed Expressive Receptive Language Disorder). She is a sweet girl with a LARGE village of teachers, therapists, family & friends. We are thankful for everyone in her life, but today we want to recognize her ABA therapy provider: Integrity Behavioral Solutions. We would like to honor the entire company, because every team member contributes to her success…
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