Christmas
Our Autism Guide for a Happy Holiday
This time of year, with all of the holidays, is probably one of the toughest times of the year. The frequent change in routine, small bouts of travel, spending hours at a time at other people’s homes (even if it’s a familiar home, like a grandparent’s), change in diet, increase in sugary treats, large groups of people, loud crowds/music, can be overwhelming for Charlie. So for our family and friends, here’s our holiday guide to Autism. Charlie thrives on routine. The hectic holiday schedule can get to be a bit…
Read MoreI Choose to Find the Joy at Christmas
As a child, did you ever wake early with anticipation? Were you one of the children who rushed to see exactly what was under the tree? I was. Patience was never a strong suit and surprises are something I am still not a fan of. In fact, Christmas memories are some of my favorite from my childhood. My mom, her sisters, sometimes her brothers, their spouses and up to 11 kids crammed into one home for up to a week celebrating not only the magic of Christmas but the blessing…
Read MoreA Christmas Wish from a Stranger
This holiday season we have been touched with the spirit of Christmas by friends and complete strangers. Christmas is a little different for us. My son, Johnny, who is almost 6 and on the autism spectrum, doesn’t ask for toys or say what he wants. He lacks communication skills and understanding. We can go to the store and he may look and touch and couple things, but never says he wants them or tries to take it with him. I’m sure that sounds amazing to many parents, but for me…
Read MoreThe Christmas Moments I Envy
Christmas time has always been my favorite time of year. The lights, love, festivities. The family and friends. Growing up my mom and dad made Christmas magical even if they had to go without. My mom would bake and decorate the house beautifully. You could feel the love the minute you walked in the house. I always wanted to give my kids the same magical feeling. As I got older, I understood that the magic of Christmas came from my parents. It didn’t come from a store. Having a child…
Read MoreThe Sparkle of December and the Hope We Hold
There is something about the December month that brings with it a sparkle. With twinkling lights, colder weather, Santa, Christmas trees, and advent calendars. Each year I love more and more the quick turnaround from Thanksgiving to the Christmas season, turkeys to Christmas cookies. Maybe it’s the kids getting older, that I am getting older, or that I have just learned to appreciate the special December festivities. A sweet glimpse of time as we reflect on the year past and what it has given us. It feels like a season…
Read MoreChristmas Cards with a Side of Faith
I am so excited to share our 2018 Christmas card with you. Christmas cards are one of my favorite holiday traditions, and I love documenting the end of our year with a new card. Every year I include a quote about autism and hope on our card. I think people get the subtle reference and hopefully smile. My favorite: ‘Anything can happen child. Anything can be. Never stop believing.’ I also love receiving cards from our friends and family. I typically hang them all over my kitchen and leave them…
Read MoreWhat’s In Your Christmas Tree?
My son Cooper loves our Christmas Tree. He will stare at it, study it, and even examine it. Cooper is a visual stimmer so the combination of the colors and textures soothes him. He also loves the tree for other reasons. He can help decorate it….daily. The tree is his go to place to put objects. Throughout the entire Christmas Season, I dig his shoes, books, plates, sippy cups, movies and family photos out of the tree. He also likes to hoard objects behind the tree itself…specifically objects he does…
Read MoreChristmas Cards with a Side of Hope
I am so excited to share our 2017 Christmas card with you. Christmas cards are one of my favorite holiday traditions, and I love documenting the end of our year with a new card. Every year I include a quote about autism and hope on the back of our card. I think people get the subtle reference and hopefully smile. My favorite: ‘Anything can happen child. Anything can be. Never stop believing.’ I also love receiving cards from our friends and family. I hang them all over my kitchen and…
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