Posts Tagged ‘ASD’
Our Family was Complete
My son was born on July 31st, 2015 along with his twin sister Aria. They were perfect and they were mine! It was one of the happiest days of my life. I waited so long to become a mother. Me and my husband had many losses until this pregnancy. I had never felt such joy and happiness. The feeling was incredible. I never realized I could love a person this much until this day. I couldn’t help but think of our future and how bright it would be with these…
Read MoreThe Best Birthday Gift
This morning I walked downstairs to my sweet boy sitting on the couch, surrounded by his treasures. He waved. It was quick though. He was very busy watching his shows. He takes his show watching very serious. Especially on weekend mornings. ‘Cooper, it’s mom’s birthday today!’ I said. Now I don’t know what I expected. Not words of course. But a cheer. A smile. A gasp. But nothing. He looked back down. It stung. Like a tiny bee sting or a poke in the side. But the pain is duller…
Read MoreMy Autistic Son Isn’t Giving Me a Hard Time
I read a quote a while back, at a pivotal time in my life really, that read… My child isn’t giving me a hard time…he is having a hard time. We had just finished up with an incredibly hard day. One that involved being out in the community. A ‘place’ that can feel scary to families like mine sometimes. Our son is autistic. He has autism. He was diagnosed at age 3. Back then so much of his diagnosis felt like a mystery, one that we were so desperately trying…
Read MoreThey Will Always Have Each Other
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…
Read MoreWaiting for Baby Sister
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…
Read MoreTo The Heroes At Our Therapy Center, Thank you!
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…
Read MoreTo The Heroes Who Love Our Children
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…
Read MoreDads, The Glue That Holds Us Together
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…
Read MoreAn Unsung Hero Whispers ‘I Am Proud of You’
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…
Read MoreThe Hero Who Helped Us Over Our Hurdles
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.…
Read More