Posts Tagged ‘autism in girls’
To The Friend Who Gets It
A friend reminds you of your worth. She knows when you’ve had the max you can take and knows that you can’t go out for a drink, so she comes to you with all the ingredients for a fine Bloody Mary. A friend is one who doesn’t just talk. She doesn’t say a word, she just shows up. She attends your daughters IEP because she knows her support will give you strength to be Mama Bear. She shows up to your chaotic life and takes your kid to a soccer…
Read MoreHow I See Myself Now
Would you believe I didn’t look at my own wedding photos until years after the big day? My husband and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary this week and I saw most of the professional photos for the first time just a few months ago. Yes, you read that right. Thousands of dollars worth of photos depicting some of the most important moments in my life spent years tucked away in a forgotten dropbox, out of sight out of mind. Why? Because if I didn’t look at those pictures, I…
Read MoreI’m Lucky Enough to be Your Mom
My Dearest Nicholas, You made me a mother six years ago. My first Mother’s Day was spent in the NICU. You came into this world with a number of challenges. Swallowing issues, developmental delay, sensory difficulties, non-verbal Autism, a rare genetic mutation, the list goes on. Despite not being able to talk, as your mother, I still know exactly what you want. I know when you point toward the kitchen counter, you need a tissue from the Kleenex box. I know when you bring me your tablet, you want to…
Read MoreThriving Instead of Surviving
I came across an old post on my personal Facebook page that I wrote two years ago, on April 5th, 2019. That was a pivotal day for me, one that both shattered my naive perception of life and changed the way I live it. The following is an updated and edited version of that post from two years ago: “A harsh Autism reality hit our household yesterday. Evie was thriving for about two months, preschool was going amazing. Then things changed. Her teacher got transferred to a different location, her…
Read MoreUnlocking Your Voice
My Dearest Daughter Sloane, Last night I had a dream about you. I had a dream that I went to your room to wake you up, and you sat up in your bed, and you said to me in the sweetest voice, “Mom, I have so much to tell you, and I don’t know how this is happening.” I woke up out of breath, and I don’t remember anything else. You’ve had a hard few days. Your struggles have been heavy. I’ve needed to know so many things only you…
Read MoreTo The Heroes At Our Therapy Center, Thank you!
Our ABA Center has truly been a blessing in disguise, they’re our unsung heroes. From the diagnostic doctor, the Clinical Directors, BCBA’s, RBT’s, ST’s, OT’s that have ALL made a tremendous impact on Jessa’s Journey and have paved the way for her future. We truly can’t thank y’all enough…you all are HEROES in our and Jessa’s eyes!! Jessa has officially been attending Action Behavior Centers – ABA Therapy for Autism for 3 years this April! It’s fitting since it’s also Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month. It’s been life-changing for all…
Read MoreHeartbroken at the Airport-Special Needs Families Are Getting Denied at the Gate
On Saint Patrick’s Day, I got up at 3:00 a.m. had our bags packed the night before, ready for a trip with my baby girl to visit family in Montana. I filled a carry-on bag with new toys, snacks, hand sanitizer, charged headphones, and of course, our masks. That morning I woke up our two-year-old Nora, she meet me with a doe eyed look but was in good spirits. I changed her into a cute black shirt with toile on the bottom and slipped on a black hoodie paired with…
Read MoreThe Girl in the Shrubs
Yesterday was a warm day and a sweet reminder that better days are on their way. Seagulls dipped down low over the playground where my children played. The air carried the ocean smell and the sounds of children laughing despite a Pandemic. The best sound is children laughing. I pushed my neighbor’s child on a tire swing and I had my eyes on my son. I knew my daughter was across the playground with a friend and her mother. The sun was warm against my face and I felt happy.…
Read MoreI Know What It’s Like to Sit in the Dark
As a child I always felt different. I had some dolls and Barbies but I never played with them. I’d rather have them set up or put new clothes on them. But I never played with them. I remember first grade, my best friend was sick and ended up dying from a brain tumor. I cried a bit but the day I went to school I didn’t shed one tear. The rest of the class was sobbing. I couldn’t understand why some kids were crying because they didn’t even like…
Read MoreCelebrating Autistic Women and Autism Mothers for Women’s History Month
Without the voices of strong autistic women in our community and the support of women like my mom, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I was recently contacted by an autism mom who told me about her 30-year-old autistic daughter who is about to have a baby. She said that she was proud of me for using my voice as a public speaker and self-advocate to spotlight others. If you are reading this, I don’t know why, but this instinctively made me think of Women’s History Month and…
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