Posts Tagged ‘autism and nonverbal’
Watching His World Open Up
People ask me all the time about my son’s first signs of autism. For some children, it’s textbook. A quick google search returns a lack of or loss of words, struggles with eye contact, and lack of imaginative play. For other kids, the diagnosis doesn’t come so easy. It’s more complicated. Pages full of questions and checkboxes that parents agonize over. Waiting. Worrying. Wondering. For us, our sweet boy was born autistic. From the second he was placed in my arms I knew. Maybe not what. But I knew something.…
Read MoreI’ll Hold Your Hand
This adorable onesie came home in Cooper’s backpack earlier this week. I can’t even tell you how thankful I am that his teacher made it with him for us. And I have no doubt they will hold hands. Because holding hands is Cooper’s favorite. I watch him reach out to me, his dad, and his brothers often. We take turns leading each other. Just as it should be. Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special…
Read MoreWaiting for Anxiety
My ten year old son has anxiety. Such a simple sentence. One that rolls off my tongue. Like my son has blonde hair or my boy loves trains. The meaning of the sentence is unbelievably complicated though. One with layers of meaning. Some people don’t believe in anxiety. They think it’s a made up thing. Maybe one time I did too. That was before my son. Before autism. Before I met the most amazing, complicated boy who uses movies to communicate. I think of his anxiety as a train sometimes.…
Read MoreAm I Brave Enough?
Am I brave enough…? I just left the grocery store. I only had a few things today so opted for the self checkout today. While I scanned my items, I became aware of two young men next to me. I would say they were both in their 20’s. It dawned on me rather quickly that one was helping the other shop for groceries. He was helping him scan each item, slow and meticulously. Talking him through he step. The gentleman being helped was very much enjoying himself. He was laughing…
Read MoreNow That I Understand
I used to think a lot of things about my son’s autism. Back before I really understood. Back when it was just a word on a piece of paper slid across the table to us. Slow like. As if the contents held the secrets to our future. I thought it was something that was given to him. Placed upon his 3 year old shoulders, weighing him down. I thought it was something we could fix. Or change. I thought there was a part of him that was not autistic. One…
Read MoreJackson Street Roundhouse
I want to give a huge shout out to the staff and volunteers at the Jackson Street Roundhouse and the Minnesota Transportation Museum. So much kindness for our family. We enjoyed walking around at our own pace and riding the train. Cooper loved the ‘free’ train magazines (which we donated for , Sawyer loved the hot dog stand, and Harbor adored the model trains. He even dove under the fence to get a closer look. And I teared up when Cooper signed ‘thank you’ to three volunteers and they signed…
Read MoreWhat I Wouldn’t Give to Peek Inside Your Mind
I’ve been smacked across the face, shoved, had my hair pulled, laundered urine-soaked sheets and scrubbed floors covered in the breakfast that was back handed to the floor the minute it was placed on the table … and it is only 6:30 am. This is the direct result of autism, anxiety and a complete lack of bodily control, which is exponentially worsened when a medication must be adjusted or changed. Watching either of my children suffer is probably my most helpless experience as a parent. Add to that a child…
Read MoreFinding Wonder in All Things
My daughter Opal is three years old. She loves trampolines, playing in water, swinging, and watching a few of her favorite movies. We are HUGE Disney fans in our house, so we’re always watching Disney plus. Opal’s absolute favorite movies include Cinderella, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Monsters Inc. (Monster’s Inc. AND Monster’s University!) Opal also has Autism and is currently non-verbal. She struggles with toys and pretend play. We have tried toy after toy, but she’s just not interested. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but as a…
Read MoreI’ve Had Many Jobs, but Being Your Mom is My Favorite
I am lucky enough to be Declan’s mom. I always wanted to be a mom and thank goodness I have my one-and-only child. I became a parent at “advanced maternal age.” Declan is 10 years old, non-speaking, and autistic. He uses AAC (a dedicated iPad with TouchChat) to communicate. I’m a Mom, not a warrior. I’m more of a lover than a fighter. I’m not a warrior or a mama bear. Although hibernation sounds nice. I am working on getting more sleep. I don’t find it helpful to frame myself…
Read MoreYou are My Best Teacher
Cooper, Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Our tenth one together. And while traditionally the child would be saying nice things about the mom, I’m switching it around this year. Because yesterday I had the most amazing realization. And while I’ve known for a while, yesterday it truly sunk in. You, my son, have taught me more than any other person on this earth. You’ve taught me to see…really see. You’ve taught me to listen…not just hear. And you’ve taught me the importance of getting off the beaten path…
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