Posts Tagged ‘autism’
Adult Men in the Women’s Bathroom
There is a meme going around Facebook land right now. It’s not new. It’s not widely shared either. And the comments are always colorful. In fact, I think it might make people uncomfortable. But nevertheless, I see it every few months or so. It reads: ACCEPTANCE IN RESTROOMS Older children and adults on the spectrum may not be able to go to the restroom alone. If you see someone of the opposite gender with an accompanying adult, assume there is a good reason and don’t judge or comment. If you…
Read MoreMy Awareness Moment
Today was one of the rare occasions that I got to bring my grandson Noah to therapy. Sara is always the one to do it. I usually stay at home with him unless we go to the grocery store or run some other little errand. He will sit in a basket and look at all the lights and colors just like all little kids his age. He loves the grocery store and Lowes. He really likes Lowes. I don’t know why that’s his favorite but he loves it. Maybe it’s…
Read MoreSuccess in Our World
What does success look like in our world? Success that would have NEVER happened six months ago…we would have had to get a babysitter for Cooper, split up, or skipped it. Success is attending an outdoor Easter Egg hunt at our church as a family. And of course wearing a swimsuit because mom mentioned the word ‘waterpark’ this morning. Being near a road and not running into it. Waving at people. Smiling. Talking to people. Sitting for a few minutes inside the church. Safely wandering. Going on the risers and…
Read MoreReminding Myself to Breathe
It’s been so long since I have expressed my deepest feelings on paper. Maybe it is the hectic environment in which I live, maybe it’s the denial that splashes my mind every morning, or the guilt that is seeded deep within me. Uncertainty is my demon that gnaws away at my confidence to parent the way I need to. It is difficult to grasp the concept of my everyday jealousy of ‘normal parents with normal children.’ Our life is anything but. Some days my life consists of washing smeared feces…
Read MoreSafety in the Car
I get asked ALL the time about Cooper’s medical alert seatbelt cover. We love it so much and I won’t travel without it. In an emergency situation, these shoulder belt covers quickly convey crucial information that a child or adult may not be able to express by themselves. As many of you know, having a nonverbal child comes with unique challenges. Cooper can’t communicate verbally. He doesn’t always respond to his name or acknowledge questions. He has slow processing times. And even if he is able to respond, he doesn’t…
Read MoreAt the End of the Day I have Nothing Left
At the end of the day I have nothing left to give. You could say it’s because I have three kids. Three boys actually. 8, 6 and 6 months. One husband. Two dogs. A house. A job. A website. Friends, family and obligations. You could say it’s the time of my life. 35 years old is the busy time. My life is full. Full of laughter, love, chaos, dirty laundry, trains and hockey. And I love every minute of it. You could also say it’s because I am up before…
Read MoreWhat if it was Me?
For me, my darkest secret is that I feel, and sometimes it feels like I know, that I caused my son’s autism. And his struggles. It breaks my heart. And the guilt chases me day and night. It all started when I read an article about how trauma as a child could cause autism. The mothers were described as ‘refrigerator mums’ and if I’m honest that was me. My eldest two children were, and are neurotypical, thriving, chatty, oh, so chatty girls. My son is nonverbal, epileptic, low functioning autistic…
Read MoreSiblings, But Really Two Only Children
I’m an only child. It’s a state of life that I know well, but have always wanted a sibling. Don’t get me wrong, there are many, many benefits of being an only child. And when speaking to those that aren’t, they’ll often “wish” they were one or talk about how frustrating their siblings are. The benefits are the obvious ones: you get all of the focus of your parents, you often get more material things, you don’t have to share, there is very little fighting as there’s no one to…
Read MoreA Letter to “Those Special Education Parents”
Dear “Those Special Education Parents”, You may know who you are and you may not. You’re the parents that previous teachers warn the following teacher about before transition IEP meetings or in emails about an upcoming move to a different school. Administrators are aware of you too and they attend meetings that you’ll be at, even if their attendance is not required. And why have you received the label of “those Special Education Parents?” Because you advocate for the services your child deserves. Earlier this year, I had an IEP…
Read MoreMy Message to the Moms who Admit It’s Hard
I think moms are amazing. My mom. Your mom. Moms of 1 kid. Moms of 5 kids. Moms of adult kids. Moms of babies. Working moms. Stay-at-home moms. Breastfeeding moms. Formula feeding moms. Moms of angel babies. And especially moms of kids with special needs. They are my moms. My people. I read something recently that said moms of kids with autism should quit whining. And complaining. That they signed up for ‘this’ when they got pregnant. Responses varied from anger to outrage to ‘walk a day in my shoes.’…
Read More