Thank You For Seeing My Boy

A few weeks ago, my husband and I sat around a table with five educators, and four on zoom, discussing our son’s education. He was starting at a new school. Mid year. The one he was at prior didn’t work out. I will be bold and say he wasn’t wanted there. He wasn’t liked. I could fancy it up and put a bow on it…but, well, why… As we discussed the transition, and it came time for me to talk, I said… “I don’t care about educational goals right now.…

Read More

Christmas Through My Autistic Son’s Eyes

Christmas is so much. It’s busy, it’s loud, it’s joyful, it’s frustrating, it’s just, a lot. I love it though. I love it for religious reasons, I love being with family, I love yummy treats, and I love presents. I get so caught up in it. I have so many deep seeded memories when it comes to Christmas that I want to recreate them for my kids. I want them to have it all and sometimes I forget to slow down. My son, Jesse is on the autism spectrum and…

Read More

When There Is No Silent Night

“Silent night, Holy night. All is calm, all is bright…” the familiar, beloved carol that ironically swims around the depths of my mind circa 3am during the holiday season. It is ironic because not all is silent, calm, or bright. Did you know up to 80% of autistic individuals struggle with sleep? For Olivia, it is a lack of sleep that causes the struggle. Since she was 4 months old, Olivia has fled challenges learning to fall and stay asleep. I really do understand the concept that we are all…

Read More

You Have Not Failed

I had the honor of meeting with a doctor a while back. A very important doctor. I was telling him all about my Cooper. What we’ve been through. I started at the beginning. He didn’t sleep. Not ever. Everyone told me it would get better. They said I was exaggerating. Only I knew I wasn’t. I told him it took Cooper six years to sleep through the night. And even today, it’s still a struggle. I told him about the burst ear drums. One after another. How no doctor would…

Read More

A Letter to Our Autistic Son

Many times when someone thinks about autism they think of it negatively. But I want to talk about autism in a positive light. I want to talk about what our son’s autism has taught us. Dear Sully, We wanted to write this letter to you, my beautiful boy, letting you know just how much you have changed our lives and the things you have taught us. You have made us more compassionate towards others. You have shown us the ability to not judge others because you never know what struggles…

Read More

Communication Does Not Have to Be Verbal

My son Cooper is nonspeaking. I know that’s a confusing classification. I even sometimes struggle to explain it. See when it comes to autism, and the spectrum you hear about, the waters are often muddy. He said his first word at age 8. It was mom. Now he says it no less than 50 times a day. But he couldn’t tell you his name under pressure or if he is in pain. He can’t use the phone but he can type the name of his favorite movie into YouTube. He…

Read More

Help Her Understand What Kind of Day She Had

I just want things to be right for her— I don’t care if she has hard days or sad days because that is part of life it’s part of being human and growing. But I want her to be able to tell me—  I want her to be able to know for herself,  what kind of day she had.  I want her to know what she is feeling— Imagine not only carrying the weight of your feelings  but not being able to understand them— not knowing why you are scared…

Read More

He Had Never Once Asked for Something

My son Cooper was 7 years old when he first asked me to buy him something. Imagine that. 7 years it took. Prior to that he had never once asked me for a toy or movie or game. We were standing in line at Target and he saw the movie Cars on the shelf. He pointed. He gasped. He jumped. He may have been nonverbal but there was no doubt what he was asking. We watched Cars for weeks straight. He even slept with the dvd. His twelfth birthday is…

Read More

Being The Mother, I Never Imagined I Would Be

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a mother. I started writing names down that I wanted to name my kids. I began thinking about what sports they would play. Planning playdates and birthday parties. I had my whole motherhood planned out by a young age. I never dreamt of having a child who possibly would have special needs or be considered medically complex. Being the mother, I never imagined I would be. My dreams for my children have changed from when I was a young…

Read More

Let’s Support Disability Ran Business

As we start that holiday shopping let’s support businesses that either provide employment to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or are owned and ran by a person with a disability. If you are like me, or my own friends and family, I am sure you want to support and give back to individuals who are doing amazing things. Keep reading as I introduce you to five businesses that are setting the bar and shining a light on the meaningful contributions that individuals with disabilities give to society. Happy holidays…

Read More