Posts Tagged ‘Autism diagnosis’
An Unsung Hero Whispers ‘I Am Proud of You’
What is an unsung hero to you? Someone who quietly reaches out with a rescuing hand in time or need? Someone who gives you perspective before you have the chance to find it? When we started to have meetings with our son’s Montessori School about how our son wasn’t fitting into the school program, I began to feel something I was unfamiliar with. A feeling that sat and still sits quietly in the background. That feeling that things were on the horizon, as I felt a shift of worry from…
Read MoreThe Hero Who Helped Us Over Our Hurdles
I was a relatively new mom and had just experienced evaluations for speech, development, occupational, and physical therapy for my son Graham. But there was an even bigger hurdle…an Autism evaluation. I was told a referral was placed for the evaluation and that it could take time to get an appointment, so I was impatiently patiently waiting only to find out there was no appointment and there was no referral. Why? Because the facility the referral was sent to would not evaluate Graham due to him being under age three.…
Read MoreBehold, the Autism Mama
My son Jack has autism. He was born on Mother’s Day, in 2004. Over the past sixteen-almost-seventeen-years, I have had to tell and re-tell his diagnosis so many times, I’ve lost count. By now, I’m pretty sure I’ve heard it all when it comes to autism. I’ve heard about the vaccines, and the poor maternal bonding, and the gluten and the horse therapy. One kindly older woman even suggested Windex could be to blame. Windex? I thought. The problem is, can be hard to know what to say, or how to…
Read MoreHaving a Tribe Can Make All the Difference
“Build your tribe. Find your village. You’re going to need them.” I remember looking up at our pediatrician through tears as she said those words to me shortly after delivering my son’s Autism diagnosis. She explained how dynamic and changing our lives would be and that we would need to find others who understood. The gravity of those words didn’t quite register with me at first. I mean, I had friends. I had family. What did she mean I needed others? At first, I was lost in my grief for…
Read MoreEven in the Dark, You Are Not Alone
I’ll sit with you in the dark, when you know, but you have to wait. Wait for others to believe you. Wait for insurance approvals. Wait for evaluations. Always waiting to hear what you already know. I’ll sit with you in the dark when you feel alone. When others tell you they’ll pray for you. When they tell you stories of how they know someone who knows someone. When they tell you that God gives special kids to special people. When they tell you, “but they’re so cute” or “they’re…
Read MoreDOWN SYNDROME & AUTISM: DUAL DIAGNOSIS
Fifth grade holiday concert. I found the perfect soft corduroy pants with a hidden elastic waistband and comfy red pullover that you will tolerate. We rehearsed the songs endlessly at home for weeks. You teacher assured me you have been practicing the song all week in the gymnasium and will have a para escorting you through the whole program. We anxiously wait in the audience – a sea of parents with cellular cameras and camcorders rolling. Maybe I can get a good shot of you to put on the holiday…
Read MoreAccepting Our Reality
It could be worse. I have repeated these four words while laying in bed crying, feeling helpless over my son’s recent autism diagnosis. All my hopes and dreams for his future no longer existed. What’s going to happen? I can’t explain the feeling that sets in, your child has a life long disability. The feeling of panic took over me. Some days consumed me. The sleepless nights and anxiety take a toll. It could be worse, he is healthy. Will he be a victim of discrimination, taken advantage of, mocked or hurt?? …
Read MoreA Love Letter to Our First Advocate
My son was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3. But I can honestly say that if it hadn’t been for his Speech Therapist at the time, he still may not have a diagnosis. That’s how far into the black hole of denial I was. The funny thing about denial is that no one can pull you out. You have to do it own your own, but there are people that can be that light you reach for. And my son’s first speech therapist was that light for me. …
Read MoreHe Was Always Him
January 16, 2017 It’s been 4 years since my son Stalen was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. He was 21 months old. I remember he was wild in the room as we waited for the doctor to come in and speak with us. He was throwing toys and picking crumbs from the carpet. He was pulling single plastic gloves from a box hanging on the wall. I was trying to hold myself together with strict composure but could feel the lump in my throat and the anxiety deep in the…
Read MoreThe Real of Autism
Hi, my name is Adrian and I am accused of being an over-sharer. I concede. While I’m sure many do not relish my photographic exploits (particularly of myself), sharing terrible photos tickles me. It’s the same reason I share that I weigh 181 pounds. Damn prednisone and IVIG and maybe those bagels with cream cheese for breakfast the past three weeks. It doesn’t hurt my feelings if you b*tch and moan about that kind of mess.Or if you go apesh*t that I use the term “Karen.” FYI, its mainly people…
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