I don’t know what it’s like to have a sibling with special needs. I only know what I see and feel as the mom. And compare to what I experienced growing up. These boys are two years apart. 10 and 8. When Cooper was diagnosed with autism, I wondered and I worried…about everything. Sawyer was not quite 2 years old yet. What did the future hold for them. Sawyer would follow his older brother around the house, attempting to force his way into his world. He wanted to play. He…
I can’t believe in 4 weeks or less there will another baby to love. And a girl this time. When this photo was taken, Harbor was less than a week old. Cooper still hadn’t touched him and was very apprehensive of him. But he was just fine with snuggling up to Sawyer to get this photo. Today, I often say that Harbor is bridge in between these two. He demands love and attention from both. And rules the house. And now a baby sister. The boys are definitely excited but…
Our ABA Center has truly been a blessing in disguise, they’re our unsung heroes. From the diagnostic doctor, the Clinical Directors, BCBA’s, RBT’s, ST’s, OT’s that have ALL made a tremendous impact on Jessa’s Journey and have paved the way for her future. We truly can’t thank y’all enough…you all are HEROES in our and Jessa’s eyes!! Jessa has officially been attending Action Behavior Centers – ABA Therapy for Autism for 3 years this April! It’s fitting since it’s also Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month. It’s been life-changing for all…
Along this journey of navigating autism you send the largest part of your heart out into the world and pray that they are loved and cared for. You also meet some of the most amazing heroes disguised as teachers and para-professionals. You see the blonde standing in the back? That’s our “Miss Kaci” and never have I felt such gratitude or such an instant connection for someone who was a complete stranger to us less than a year ago. To those who love our children despite challenging behavior. Who meet…
I don’t post a lot about my husband, Steve. Today I want to talk about him because he is my rock. He is very much involved in everything we do for Henry. All of the decisions we make are equal. He went to all the doctor appointments and he’s around for most of Henry’s home therapy sessions. The day Henry was diagnosed, Steve was at the appointment with me. We knew the diagnosis was coming and we were able to console each other on the drive home. When we got…
What is an unsung hero to you? Someone who quietly reaches out with a rescuing hand in time or need? Someone who gives you perspective before you have the chance to find it? When we started to have meetings with our son’s Montessori School about how our son wasn’t fitting into the school program, I began to feel something I was unfamiliar with. A feeling that sat and still sits quietly in the background. That feeling that things were on the horizon, as I felt a shift of worry from…
I was a relatively new mom and had just experienced evaluations for speech, development, occupational, and physical therapy for my son Graham. But there was an even bigger hurdle…an Autism evaluation. I was told a referral was placed for the evaluation and that it could take time to get an appointment, so I was impatiently patiently waiting only to find out there was no appointment and there was no referral. Why? Because the facility the referral was sent to would not evaluate Graham due to him being under age three.…
When my son was diagnosed with autism at age three, I felt like I couldn’t reach him. I felt like he had this world, a secret one that I couldn’t enter. Some days I even felt like I would lose him to it. As if I was fighting to keep him here with me. I was scared of his world. It confused me. It worried me. Some days I felt like I should try and save him from it. He would laugh and cry and feel things that I couldn’t…
You know that meme…the one with the dog drinking coffee at the kitchen table while the house is on fire and the caption reads…’THIS IS FINE.’ That’s my life right now. I don’t complain. I truly, truly don’t. But right now, I’ve lost control of the ship. And the ship is sinking. And also on fire. I’ve been alone with my boys for over a week now. My husband is quarantining after being gone for a few days and it’s been really hard. Three boys. Three schedules. A full time…
Things I’ve learned as a mom to my three boys… It’s nearly impossible to keep them clean. But messes typically equal fun so it’s important to remember you can hose them off later. They love to pee in the woods. There is just something about it. Trees are made for climbing. Little trees. Big trees. Trees with no branches. All trees must climbed. But also know they most likely will not ACTUALLY climb any trees. Just attempt. All found sticks must be thrown, no matter the size. Sticks also make…
