I just changed my six year old’s diaper. It was messy. There was poop dripping down his leg. It was on his jeans. His socks. The poop got on my hand, couch and carpet. This is the side of autism that no one talks about. The kind that challenges your hope and sanity. This was the tenth diaper I have changed this morning. It is 6:37 am. I am exhausted. I am almost crying. I thought, why me, why us, and why my kid. Why. What did I do wrong? And…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Amanda Lo Re and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This November I want to thank and honor my mom. There are some people who are truly angels on earth and my mom, Cindy is one of them. She is one of the most giving and selfless individuals I have ever met. She is our constant. Our rock. My sanity. And my son’s best friend. I guess our journey really began eight years ago. My mom became a caregiver to my…
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A very nice woman approached me over the weekend and thanked me for talking about autism. She thanked me for being honest and not sugarcoating it. She thanked me for keeping it real. That conversation reminded me why I do what I do. I refuse to lie about my son’s disability or downplay it to make people feel better. When my son was first diagnosed I dove head first into helping him. I turned to other bloggers, Pinterest and Facebook groups because I couldn’t find anyone in real life that…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Tara Surowiec and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This November I would like to thank Christine, my children’s Speech Therapist. She first started working with my son Greyson when he was just two years old. Currently, he is five years old, on the spectrum and nonverbal. A little bit about us…My husband Paul, myself (Tara), my daughter Alexa (8) and my son Greyson (5) make up our family. We just celebrated our 17th anniversary! My husband Paul is an RN…
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I am constantly asked how my family attends so many sensory events. People will say…’You must live in a really understanding community.’ I just laugh. Every sensory event that we attend is because I asked them to have one. And then I asked ten more times. My son is nearing seven years old. We have been missing out for way too long. We want to join the community and have fun too. Yes, my son has autism. Yes, he is loud and rammy and busy. Yes, he processes joy and…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Laura Kay Smith and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This November I would like to thank Sharon Gretz, the founder of the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association. When my child was diagnosed with apraxia, a rare and severe speech disorder in children, even as a speech/language pathologist, I felt lost. I met Sharon at an apraxia conference and it changed my life. Her love, caring, and guidance was instrumental in not only getting the help and proper help my daughter…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Jenn Wilson and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This November I would like to thank my son’s teacher, Ms. Bastedo. My son, Jaret, is currently 10 years old and in the fifth grade. He has Autism, ADHD, anxiety and Apraxia. He is in a special education class primarily geared towards kids on the autism spectrum. His class consists of children in fourth through sixth grade. When I saw your video today, I knew I had to email you because…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Danielle and Noah and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This November I would like to thank my Mom, my best friend, and my rock. This might be the hardest thing I have ever written. I have felt compelled to write this but knew it would be emotional for me because the person I would like to thank is my rock. She lifts me up when I’m weak and is always there for me, no matter what. That amazing person…
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I hate this question. I hate it so much that even typing the sentence ‘do you medicate your son‘ gives me anxiety. It’s not that I mind sharing the answer with you. I am an open book. I also firmly believe that as parents we can help our children even more by speaking opening and honestly about what’s working and what’s not. I remember years ago when Cooper was first diagnosed I just wanted someone to tell me what to do. Tell me the best course of action to help…
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A good old fashioned Cooper and Kate video update with a whole lotta conversation around the business side of autism. https://youtu.be/5ChoHnXVIz8 When my son was diagnosed with autism at age three, I was prepared for it to be hard. I knew there would be struggles and challenges. I even suspected it would be stressful and confusing. I wasn’t that naive. And I definitely knew it would be an emotional ride with ups and downs. But what I was not prepared for was the never ending paperwork, phone calls and appointments.…
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