With Goally, The Goal is Independence

When my son was diagnosed with autism at age three, I will admit I didn’t know a lot about it. I was told a lot of things of course and many of them weren’t positive. But that didn’t stop us from believing in him and his success. Cooper is now ten years old and truly an amazing kid. As he’s gotten older, and the teenage years are not far off, our goals for him have shifted. Where it used to be a lot of academic things, now our goals for…

Read More

As Long As He’s Healthy

While at a recent doctor appointment I was chatting with a young, pregnant woman. I congratulated her and asked her if she knew the sex of the baby. She said she didn’t know and didn’t have a preference, “as long as the baby is healthy.” I smiled and nodded but inside I thought about how this phrase has a new meaning to me since my daughter’s autism diagnosis seven years ago. When someone uses that phrase, I feel sadness in my heart. I think to myself, will she accept and…

Read More

How to Borrow a Speech Device in your State

My son Cooper received his speech device when he was four years old. At the time I was overwhelmed by it. Not only did I feel the emotional strains of it I felt like getting one was such a huge commitment. Would it work? Should we try it? Will he even use it? I just didn’t know. I didn’t know how much energy I should put into advocating for a device either. I’ve felt this same way with many assistive technology devices. I wanted to try before buying. I recently…

Read More

10 Tips to Ask For a Sensory Event

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…

Read More