Posts Tagged ‘Autism diagnosis’
5 Things I Wish I Could Tell Me 4 Years Ago:
1. It wasn’t you. It wasn’t that you were too busy as a mom now trying to juggle two kids instead of one and you just didn’t give your second child the same amount of attention as your first. It wasn’t because of that one time that he hit his head. It wasn’t any decision you made or didn’t make for him. You were just being a mom the best way you knew how. This wasn’t about you. This was just going to be. Let go of the why. 2.…
Read MoreThe R Word
Let’s talk about the “R” word. I hate this word. I hate that this word has become a norm for people to use, whether intentionally or jokingly. The R word is hurtful. The R word is mean. We’ve all said it. I’ve said it. Before I had Gracy, I was guilty of using this word as a way of lazily describing my feelings…how I felt about something or how I felt about someone. This all changed for me eight years ago. At 30 weeks (I think) pregnant, I was told…
Read MoreWhat Autism Has Taught Me
I never planned on having a child with a disability. I planned my education and career around helping others through things like this, never dreaming in my wildest dreams it would personally affect me. But…. I wouldn’t trade Jackson or his diagnosis for anything in this world. When you hear people who have children with disabilities say their child is their greatest teacher in life, believe them. They have this beautiful way of helping us see life for what it should be. Simple. Purposeful. Full of wonder and of lots…
Read MoreThe Autism Merry-Go-Round
Some days, it feels like we are climbing onto the exact same merry-go-round that we were on yesterday, and the day before that and the one before that. The same music, same speed, same smells, and my son would undoubtedly choose the same horse to ride every single time. We continue, round and round, stuck on a loop. Sounds peaceful, right? Until the song changes, an undesirable sound or image comes into the loop. Or the lights are too bright or too dim. Something familiar is missing, out of place…
Read MoreWhat They Don’t See
They don’t see how much you are struggling just to enter a room full of people. They don’t see your mom cringing and scanning the room immediately for triggers or danger. They don’t see how bright the lights are or how loud the conversations can be to your beautiful brain. They don’t understand why you cover your ears, bite your shirt, or self injure because the anxiety is too much to handle and your meltdown is not a typical toddler meltdown and you don’t know how to self soothe. They…
Read MoreHi, I’m Ben and I’m Autistic
This story was shared with me by one of the women in my Supporter group. Grab a tissue. Just a little story from yesterday. I’m an Area Manager for a cleaning company and am always hiring. I had an interview yesterday with a young man named Ben. His Mom had called me before hand to tell me a little about him. He’s autistic and was nonverbal until age 12. He’s now 19 and she said she really didn’t want to waste my time but if I could just interview him…
Read MoreHope is a Funny Thing
Hope is a funny thing. It ebbs and flows. It even changes over the years. When I found out I was pregnant for the second time I hoped I wouldn’t miscarry. I hoped for a happy, healthy, ‘like every other kid I knew’, baby. I secretly hoped for a girl too. When I found out I was having a boy at 20 weeks, and that we would name him Cooper, I hoped for baseball games, camping, swimming, biking and fishing. I hoped for endless conversations and a beautiful family. I…
Read MoreA Letter To The Mom With A Newly Diagnosed Child
Dear Mama, I know you’re probably feeling every single emotion flooding through your body right now… And I wish that I was there to wrap my arms around you and give you the big loving hug you so desperately need. I may not physically be there with you, but please know that I am here…along with an army of fierce mamas who have been exactly where you are. I’ve been on this journey for almost 9 years now and there are a few things I’ve learned along the way. Many…
Read MoreNever, Ever Give Up
Dear Autism Moms and Dads, We’re not so different, you and I. I imagine our days are filled with similar struggles, similar frustrations, similar fears. Sure, our kiddos might have different diagnosis or fall in different areas on the autism spectrum, but at the end of the day we can relate to one another more so than a lot of other parents can. With that being said, from one autism parent to another, I hope you can take this message to heart; never ever give up. You see, my husband…
Read MoreThe Questionnaires Still Sting
My son Jayden has settled into school and he is doing amazing. I am still pinching myself every day when I drop him off. We are now starting to incorporate the other therapies Jayden needs back into his new schedule. It is official. I have received my mountain of paperwork. All I have to say is, WOW! Jayden is eight and some of the questionnaires are still completely brutal to complete. I really thought at this point the questions would be less cumbersome or I would be used to the…
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