Posts Tagged ‘autism in girls’
How She Experiences the World
You, my sweet girl, Experience the world Around you, In a completely different way Then other people may. But just because it’s different, Doesn’t make it less than. Maybe we should take Things in the way you do. You may not play Pretend Or use toys the way Other children do. But that’s ok. Play is play. And a child can play In their own way. For example, You find the greatest joy In watching things scatter. A cup of water being poured Is your greatest treasure To explore. Sand…
Read MoreThey Said Never, but I Always Believed in You
To my beautiful daughter, I sit here and watch you try to answer questions. I can see how hard you are trying. It makes my heart ache seeing how hard it is for you. A task that should take such minimal effort. At the same time, to hear you answer with such pride and confidence when you are understood and correct, fills my heart up, and I can’t help but smile. I am filling out a questionnaire, an endless one, it seems, all about what you can and can’t do.…
Read MoreMaking Her Feel Safe and Happy
My daughter, Kya is twelve and on the autism spectrum. Like most parents I wanted my daughter to get an education because that was what I thought was important and let me be very clear, reading and writing and an education are very important, but when you take a step back and live a different kind of life than the average typical person things shift on what is important. Self- care, self awareness and independence is most important for my daughter. My daughter has to know life skills. She has…
Read MoreEight Years Ago an Angel Gave Birth to My Daughter
I have been her mom for around 2,920 days, add a couple extra for the leap years. I have provided comfort and care, lessons again and again, and I have offered absolutely nothing as much as I have given love, acceptance, and gratitude. The honor to be hers is mine, and it’s by no small miracle that she made it to me. Eight years ago today, I was in the delivery room as an angel gave birth to my girl. Within our first moment together, I knew I was everything…
Read MorePermission to Grieve
What I want the world to know about being a mom of a child with autism is that it is coupled with grief. I love my daughter. With every ounce of my being. She brings me joy and hope every single day. She teaches me patience, perspective, and that there is more than one way to do EVERYTHING. But I was not unprepared for the grief. When you hear that you are going to have a baby your brain starts dreaming of the life that will soon be. So many…
Read MoreLove Needs No Words
There are many challenges when a little one can’t speak. Is she sick or tired or just having a rough day or week? What is she thinking or feeling right now? I know there’s more inside, but how do I reach her? How? Will she play and interact with me? Or is she just content flitting to and fro like a bee? Then I think of things that need no words, She knows I’m Mom, and I know I’m hers. I’ll be there for her, To advocate, teach and pray.…
Read MoreThe Measurement of Milestones
Measurement – it’s a natural human instinct. We measure time, distance, capacity, success, and achievement. Many forms of measurement I understand; time and distance for example facilitate civilizations’ successful functioning. There are however some forms of measurement that lack the same definition and purpose. Parents worldwide often over analyze a measurement: the measurement of milestones. From the moment you become a parent other, often well intentioned, people question you with regards to your child’s development. Your email inbox highlights notifications of what abilities your growing baby should have. Mothers’ groups…
Read MoreMy Fears for My Autistic Daughter
There are so many things I worry about when it comes to my autistic daughter. Raising a vulnerable child comes with so many fears. Some of these things are things we all worry about. I have four children and I worry about them all. The intensity and degree of worry when it comes to Alyssa is so intensified. My biggest fear is what will happen when I’m gone. This brings me to my knees, it terrifies me. Me and autism have long battled with control. I like control and so…
Read MoreAutism Times Two
On September 1, 2022, our youngest daughter Lucy was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Almost exactly two years after her big sister, Opal. It may come as a shock to some, but I have tried to talk openly about how we had concerns that Lucy may be autistic too. Lucy and Opal are complete opposites, and I know to some people that would seem to mean that Lucy couldn’t possibly be autistic, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Autism is different for everyone. You will never meet two…
Read MoreI Will Forever be Grateful for the Ways my Children have Changed Me
When I think of our son Nixon, who is five, and our daughter, Nora who is almost three, I think of them as who they are as a whole and the qualities each carries. I think of them first as my children, of all the memories of baby giggles, squishy faces over first bites of food, smiles with full cheeks, and watching as they explore the world around them. As human beings, we are a web of life experiences, impressions that others have of us, skills, and qualities that drive…
Read More