Posts Tagged ‘autism and siblings’
Why Isn’t Therapy Talked About More?
Why isn’t therapy talked about more? Why is it that therapy looks like a bad thing? Because it isn’t. Therapy is for people who can’t just figure it out, right? Who can’t just get over things. Who can’t handle life. Right? Absolutely wrong. In my opinion, I think everyone could benefit from at least one therapy session. Why? Therapists aren’t just there to hear you talk about your life (although that is so healing), they are there to give you tools to succeed! To process your emotions! To remind you…
Read MoreTwo Brothers
These two had a brotherly scuffle last night. Very typical in a ‘not-so-always’ typical life. The older one is 12. The younger one is 9 for a few more weeks. I could hear them wrestling upstairs. It honestly sounded like the ceiling was going to cave in. I heard laughter. Squeals. Stomping. Running. Words. ‘Come and get me!’ And the nonverbal responses that Cooper gives. Sounds. Happy pitches. Clapping hands. So much joy. And then a scream. Yelling. Running. Tattling. A near tears explanation that Cooper ripped the fuzzy ball…
Read More10 Things I Wish You’d Teach Your Kids About Disabilities
It was a typical Saturday. We were invited to a picnic at my husband, Jeremy’s, Uncle’s house. It was a small affair of just immediate family and us. We were excited to see everyone. Since the pandemic had had us at home for sometime only going out for basics and to Whit’s therapies and school. We smoked queso and made a pasta salad. Loaded everyone in the car triple checked to make sure we had everything and off we went. We got there unloaded, said our hello’s, grabbed food and…
Read MoreNonspeaking Communication Can Be So Beautiful
I have a beautiful moment to share with you… This morning, when I came out of my bedroom, far earlier than I would have liked, I knew my Cooper was waiting on the stairs for me. For one I could hear train whistles and happy music. And secondly, lately, he’s been waiting for me more. Near, but far. Not close enough to touch, but easily heard and seen if I peek around a corner or under a table. He gasped as he usually does when it’s been a period of…
Read MoreWould They Connect The Way Siblings Do?
I always wondered what kind of relationship my kids would have when we discovered that Nixon would have a little sister. His life changed when we brought his sister Nora home from the hospital. They are two and a half years apart, and I wondered if they would have a close relationship as my siblings and I do. I had so many additional thoughts after both of our children’s autism diagnoses. Would they connect in the way brothers and sisters do? Their connection with each other was immediate. I would…
Read More“There Was None Of This Autism Stuff Back When I Was In School”
‘There was none of this autism stuff back when I was in school.’ I hear some version of that statement often. It typically comes from someone older than me, and most often, not from a cruel place. More of a place of curiosity. I do my best to educate. I explained to them that not that long ago, kids like my son were kept in different parts of the school. And before that, placed in institutions. It’s true. Most people don’t want to believe it though. I’ve educated myself on…
Read MoreWe Shouldn’t Feel Like We Can’t Share
The other day I found myself with a group of mothers. We all had kids roughly the same ages. We chatted about the craziness of raising kids right now. We laughed. We vented. We did what mothers do. Then we bragged about our amazing kids. One mentioned her son getting straight A’s this year. And practicing for his driver’s test. Another spoke of her child going on a missionary trip and how great that will look on her college application. We chatted about sports and the things four year olds…
Read MoreMy Autistic Son’s First Dance
My boy attended his first middle school dance last night. The statement alone evokes a slew of emotions, undoubtedly steeped in years of questions surrounding whether or not participating in milestone events such as these would be possible for Leo who is on the autism spectrum. Yesterday evening, I laid out a pair of khaki pants, and a polo, hoping they’d be sufficient for the occasion. I’d asked Leo’s teacher what the kids usually wear to these functions, my own middle school days seemingly a lifetime ago… Leo giggled excitedly…
Read MoreThe 3 Types of Dog Helpers
Did you know there are different types of helper dogs? Three to be exact and they all serve a different purpose. Emotional Support Animal (ESA), Therapy Dog and Service Animal. Let me help you understand them, because it’s important to know how to use the right terms. Did you know that an Emotional Support Animal or ESA for short does not have public access rights? Yep, it’s true. Although some people will argue about this, the fact is simple, they don’t have the right to be in public and actually…
Read MoreThe True Meaning of Christmas
My Husband. I love him with all my heart. Every fiber of my being. I have loved Him since I was 16 years old. I don’t really know anything else. And to be honest, sometimes I don’t even like him. We don’t see eye to eye on many things. We fight a lot. He doesn’t think the things I think are important matter. At all. And frankly, it irritates me that he can’t pretend to go along. He will humor me, but still, not happily. This was going to be…
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