Posts Tagged ‘autism acceptance’
His World Makes Him Happy
Let me tell you about this boy. He is one of a kind for starters. Which is one of my most favorite things about him. He dances to music no one else can hear with courage and joy. He is more himself than any person I have ever met. Unapologetically. But he also comes with some pretty strict rules. Ones he has created himself. He does not stay up late. Nope. By 9 pm he is in bed every night. He watches the same movies on repeat. And has since…
Read MoreYou are Welcome Here
You are welcome here. I see so many posts online telling parents how to feel about their child’s diagnosis. Some tell them to only see the positive. To celebrate every part of it. Some shame them for saying they are scared. Or hard. Or that they are worried. Some tell them they are awful parents. Some ridicule them for thinking a certain way. Some act self riotous because they didn’t shed a tear when their child was diagnosed. And they shame anyone who did. I read those posts and they…
Read MoreYou be You
This kid. He has never played with a toy. At least not typically. It sounds funny to say out loud. Maybe almost unbelievable. But it’s important to remember that he doesn’t see objects like you and I do. He could care less about trucks and cars. He has no desire to throw a ball. Building with Legos has never crossed his mind. Make believe food for pretend picnics seems ridiculous. He adores train magazines. The older the better. He loves books about animals. Whales and penguins. Books about things that…
Read MoreDear Autism
Dear Autism, I’m writing this because some days you’re challenging and hectic. I can’t stand to see my son in pain…the lights are too bright or the sounds are too loud. I see my son trying to cover his face. And I can’t help but think..what can I do to stop him from feeling this way? I see strangers glare from across the store. I hear the whispers of what a bad mom I must be. How if I would discipline my son…then maybe they could get a little peace.…
Read MoreBuild a Life that Works for Your Family
It may not get easier, and some things may not get better, but you have the power to create a world that works for your family. I wish someone would have told me that when my son was first diagnosed with autism. Because, initially, and in the challenging years that followed, I will admit that we felt stuck in a lot of ways. We couldn’t do this or that. Like go to restaurants or church or fly on an airplane, go for walks, visit the mall. We said no to…
Read MoreI Will Give Him a Magical Life
Last night something monumental happened in our little world. Our middle son Sawyer had a gaggle of friends over playing and as they ran from room to room, crashing and bashing and giggling about farts and butts, our oldest son Cooper ran behind. He was the oldest of the whole group on paper. The big brother and yet not. He will be 11 in a few months. But he has no interest in Nerf Guns or ninja warrior games. He doesn’t acknowledge the coolest shoes or ask for a cell…
Read MoreI am an Observer of Autism
I saw something recently that said if you are not autistic you are merely an observer of autism. I absolutely believe this to be true. I do not know what it is like to feel the world as my children do, I am not a martyr because I parent autistic children, and I am not an expert on autism. I observe as my daughter carefully pours sand in her hair not worrying about those around her. I let her do it, even if she is covered in dirt, because it…
Read MoreFocus on the Good
I want to tell you one of the lessons I’ve learned that has helped me be a better parent to my autistic son Cooper. It’s pretty simple really. It’s understanding that he did his best in any situation. It’s listings the positives instead of the negatives. Even if there are only 1 or 2. It’s focusing on the good instead of the bad. Let me explain. Tonight we went to a carnival. All six of us. Our popular social butterfly, our curious wild child, our sweet easy baby, and our…
Read MoreThank You for Ordering Forever Boy
Now that the dust has settled on my book cover reveal, I want to say the sincerest thank you to everyone who purchased a copy of my book for preorder. And thank you to all of those who hopefully plan too! Sharing our story in the hopes to help others had always been my dream. I can say for certain that the beginning of my journey into autism would have been entirely different if I had found someone who I could relate to. This book will do that for you.…
Read MoreThe Moments that Teach Me the Most
My sweet boy had a tough time on our walk the other day. The beginning was great. The middle had its ups and downs. But we finished strong. Which is usually how it goes for him. Good with moments of intensity mixed in. Highs and lows and middles. And then this moment. A boy of the same age helping him along. Helping him home. Smiling at Barney on his iPad. Never leaving his side. Taking him home. They are both ten. One speaks with ease. One communicates in his own…
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