Special Needs Siblings
Autism and the Effects on Siblings
I have two sons, Cooper is seven and Sawyer is four. They are both blonde, adorable, strong-willed, and funny. They are both obsessed with their mama. They are loud. They are both snugglers. They have been brothers since Cooper was almost two. And yet, it wasn’t until recently that they even began acknowledging each other. Yes, it broke my heart for years. There are days when it still does. I can almost picture what my life would be like if my boys were able to play each other. If I…
Read MoreMama, Will I Ever be an Uncle?
Grief is not linear my friends. I know that better than anyone. One day you are fine and the next you are not. That’s just how it goes I guess. But lately, I have reached a place where I am okay with my son’s autism. I’ve done the crying thing. I’ve done the heartache and worry. I’ve done the desperation. I’ve come full circle. I’m in an amazing place. My son is thriving. He is farther along than I ever thought he would be. At age seven he is communicating…
Read MoreA Letter From the Sibling of Child with Autism
A few days ago I shared a letter I wrote for my son Sawyer. You can read it HERE. It was a toughie to share. It was brutally honest. It was real. And I really put myself out there. I purged every ounce of worry and self-doubt that I have about raising an autistic child alongside a typical child. Let’s get something straight. Cooper is an amazing little boy. He is funny and sweet and brings more joy than I can put into words. But…it’s different for me. I am…
Read MoreA Conversation with Cooper’s Brother
Last night I was putting my four year old to bed after a particularity hard autism day. I’m to the point in our journey where I can openly admit when autism is hard. I can also admit when motherhood in general is hard. I have two amazing kids. Cooper, my funny, silly, train loving boy, who has autism, is six years old. And his brother Sawyer, is my energetic, smart, curious four year old. Together, they are the perfect storm of joy and chaos. Yesterday, Jamie and I had reached…
Read MoreThe Night My Boys Became Brothers
I have two sons, Cooper is six and Sawyer is four. They are both blonde, adorable, strong-willed, and funny. They are both obsessed with their mama. They are loud. They are both snugglers. They have been brothers since Cooper was almost two. And yet, it wasn’t until recently that they even began acknowledging each other. Yes, it broke my heart for years. There are days when it still does. I can almost picture what my life would be like if my boys were able to play each other. If I…
Read MoreThis is Going to be Okay…
Most days I think this is going to be alright. I can give my autistic, nonverbal son the best life ever. He can live with mom and dad forever and we will be OK. I tell myself I can do this. And I’ll find someone to care for him after I’m gone. I am a fighter. I will never give up. But even more than that I am an advocate for a little boy with autism that deserves the best life possible. And I’ve quickly realized that when you have…
Read MoreMy Journey As An Autism Mom-Video
There were two huge things I needed in the beginning of my Autism mom journey. I needed someone to tell me what to do and I needed someone to validate me. I kept seeking out a friend or a mom or a doctor that could understand what I was going through, validate how hard it was and tell me what direction to take. I never found it. There were times when I’d joke that I wasn’t qualified to make these huge, life changing decisions for another person. I wasn’t an…
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