Posts Tagged ‘autism acceptance’
Mama, Take Time To Absorb This New Life
Autism is unconditional love. Autism is hard. Autism is constant struggles. Autism is often full of denials. I received a message from a new mama struggling to accept her son’s diagnosis and trying to find the words to tell her family. I couldn’t give her a magical answer. All I could say was the words will come when you’re ready. Do not rush the emotions. Take time for yourself to absorb the diagnosis. It is life altering. It is shattering. I can honestly say I didn’t accept the Autism diagnosis…
Read MoreMaking New Friends in the New Normal
Now that all the kids are going back to school, your child may notice that another child in their class, the hallway, at lunchtime or at recess is different than them. Your child may come home and ask you or tell you about the differences. Perhaps they will mention their physical characteristics, their special chair, orthopedics, or their different behaviors. Maybe the child refuses to wear a mask or even seems scared or excited by people in them. Maybe they will notice that another child flaps their arms or squeals…
Read MoreThe Beauty Of A Complicated Path
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the paths that each of my boys will take as they grow up. Three sons. 9, 7 and 1. Cooper, my oldest, well, it’s been complicated. So many daycares until we finally couldn’t find one to take him anymore. Then starting in the school district at age three, multiple day programs, IEP meetings, transportation to and from, trusting the world with my tiny, yet mighty, nonverbal, unaware child who could hardly hold up his backpack. I waved goodbye to a child who didn’t know…
Read MoreIt’s Not You Son, It’s Us
You’ve been walking quite a bit these days. You like walking; it calms you. You like to look at the birds, the sky. You open your mouth to take in the wind. Puddles are too good to pass by without engagement. You usually hold my hand. We talk about what we see. You repeat. You look, you smile, you laugh. Sometimes you point. But this day you let go of my hand. Unafraid and free. You needed to move at your pace, faster than me. You needed to feel the…
Read MoreMamas, All Will Be Okay
Preschool graduation…onto Kindergarten. Probably doesn’t sound like a big deal to most, but let me tell you about our Jack. From the very beginning of his diagnosis, I have felt compelled to be a voice, an advocate for not only him, but all diagnosed with ASD. To share stories of our experiences, of our life, in hopes to raise awareness and acceptance of autism. Almost 2 years ago now, Jack was accepted into an amazing special needs program, that also runs in the summers as well – so year round…
Read MoreJust Like Any Other Seven Year Old Boy
He was sitting in the chair watching tv – just like any other 7 year old boy – and for just a moment it broke my heart because he isn’t like any other 7 year old boy. He has autism. He doesn’t talk. He can’t always make his hands go where you tell him to. He can’t tell you where he hurts. He isn’t potty-trained. There are so many things he can’t do – might never do – and if you start thinking about it, ‘what he can’t do’ can…
Read MoreThe Path to Normal
A few evenings ago I finally took the leap and joined an online Autism support group that I’ve been eyeing up for a very long time. It’s a smaller, more personal support community called Coops Troops, filled with interviews, live chats, videos, supports and resources for a small monthly fee. I had put off signing up for so long and kept finding myself pulled back to it; Coronavirus isolation pushed me to jump on it. So I leapt, finally, and with much excitement. I did not know that I was…
Read MoreThe Year of Acceptance
I was headed to get my son Jd his favorite food at the food stop next door when I heard the older boy’s voice. It caught me off guard. I saw his dad next to him, paying for the delicious hotdog on a stick. This was our second time attempting to eat outside of our box as a family, since our son’s ear tubes were placed. Before his surgery this outing wasn’t even thinkable let alone doable. I vowed to myself that if Jd was actually able to hear that…
Read MoreWhat a Wonderful World
What a Wonderful World, by Louis Armstrong. A beautiful song. I danced to it with my father at my wedding. Recently, I watched a friend dance with his mother to that exact song at his wedding. Her face beamed with pride. He had the biggest grin the entire time they danced together. I bet in that moment she was remembering that same boyish grin she watched transform from a toothless smile as a baby, to a snaggle toothed little boy, to braces as a teen and now this handsome son…
Read MoreAcceptance
Yesterday my husband asked me, “have you really accepted the fact that Hank has Autism?” It’s one of those conversations we always find a way to circle back to. Between talking about services, school, behavioral interventions, potty training, aggressions, speech, etc, etc, we always come back to this. “Acceptance” There’s a pause. A comma perhaps,Most likely a big fat question mark? Usually when we ask it to each other, we are really in a sense asking it to ourselves. We are seeking reassurance and validation for our feelings. What we are…
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