Posts Tagged ‘autism and nonverbal’
You 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 MoreWe are Just More
You Must Be Sad… I’ve heard and read that phrase a few times over the past couple weeks. You must be sad your son rides the shorter bus… You must be sad he’s not in the gen ed room at school… And the zinger, the one I felt like a shot was fired and received, you must be sad you will never have a normal life… These statements, they don’t necessarily come from a place of hate or anger. They come from a place of misunderstanding. They simply don’t understand.…
Read MoreI Wonder with Excitement
When my son Cooper was first diagnosed with autism, and in the beginning years that followed, I’d spend a lot of time secretly wondering what our relationship would be like. I was told he would never be able to talk. Or live independently. And a whole lot of other things as well. And I’d wonder. And worry. Would we ever have a conversation? Would we ever go grab dinner together at a restaurant? Go to his first concert? And so on. I’d wonder while driving and studying him in the…
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 MoreThe Beautiful Gift of Life
We just had one of those great nights. One where you realize what a gift life is. We laughed and giggled on our walk. There was running and teasing and stolen hugs and kisses. There was life. So much beautiful life that I had to pause and say thank you. My oldest son asked for a birthday party and to see a blue whale. All without words. My second oldest rode his dirt bike and climbed trees and tried to convince me that he’s going to be 10 instead of…
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…
Read MoreThe Story of Us
We have lots of new followers here! Welcome to our little corner of the internet. We are the dad (Jamie), the mom (Kate), and the littles. Cooper is 10. – Lover of trains. Sawyer is 8. – Protector and hockey player. Harbor is 2. – Wants to be a T-Rex. Wynnie is 3 months. – Perfect addition to our family. We talk a lot about autism over here and how our family has settled into it. We aren’t perfect and have made lots of mistakes but we do our best…
Read MoreForever Boy is in the Top 100 on Amazon!
I don’t know if it’s going to go away so I want to post this right now as I dance around my living room with my kids! #83! Forever Boy cracked the top 100 on Amazon! This is all you and this absolutely amazing community! Thank you so much for believing in me and our story. For following! And for ordering a preorder copy! It’s such a huge deal that a little old mom from Minnesota made it this far. I am humbled. Thank you for being with me on…
Read MoreHe Made up for It
Yesterday when I was talking about the chapters in my book, someone asked about Cooper’s relationship with his dad. And if I touched on it in my writing. The person then asked a follow up question about affection. ‘Does Cooper show affection to his dad? Has he always?’ The answer is no…he hasn’t always shown affection outwardly. Coops was more of a lone wolf when he was younger. And it was hard at times. Lonely even. We wanted so desperately to engage with our beautiful son. But his dad made…
Read MoreTrust in the Good
Today is my son’s third day of school. He is a fifth grader. I get so scared sending him anywhere alone. But I have to trust. I have to trust in good and kind and grace. I have to trust that people will know the yellow haired boys name is Cooper because he won’t be able to say it under pressure. I have to trust that they will ask him if he wants a drink of water because he won’t think to ask. I have to trust that they will…
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