Posts Tagged ‘autism’
Playing our First Game
Just checking in on this balmy 35 degree spring like afternoon (it’s 80 degrees warmer than it was two days ago) to tell you that I just played a game with my son for the first time ever. Candyland. For years Sawyer and I have played every game you can imagine, and invited Cooper to join us. We’ve begged, bribed, encouraged…you name it…we’ve tried. He’s never once joined. Games aren’t his thing. He also struggles to sit and understand the concept of playing. Well, today, I asked him if he…
Read MoreWhy I Cried Happy Tears when my Son was Diagnosed with Autism
I can remember everything about the day that we received a diagnosis of autism for our Hudson. I can remember that I had to go by myself to that appointment because my husband couldn’t get off work. I can remember sitting at the table across from the psychologist and what felt like a rather sterile environment considering it was a pediatric development office. I sat there with a nervous pit in my stomach, anticipating what we might talk about but at the same time fearful to hear those words. With…
Read MoreExposing him to the Outside World
I went to the bank today. A mundane errand to most…but never to me. In fact, when I have time, I make it a point to get out of my car and go inside the establishment. I do this for two reasons. One: I like to get my steps in where I can, and I also like to encourage my kids to do the same. Two: My son Dawson LOVES the bank. As soon as we walk in, he goes straight for the chairs. You know those fancy ones they…
Read MoreI Used To Be So Much
I haven’t always been comfortable in my own skin. Truthfully, I’m still not. But I’m trying. Trying to silence the voice which says… You used to be thin. You used to be beautiful. You used to be brave. All those things. I am grappling with the truth of a life that is far from what I expected. Autism has thrown me a curve ball and I’m still fumbling the catch some two years later. The ghosts of perfection still haunt me. But. I’m stronger now. I’ve learned to raise a…
Read MoreWhat About After Forever Mom?
Last night I took Sawyer to pick out gift bag goodies for his birthday party. He had so much to say. Riding in the car produces some of my favorite memories with Sawyer. ‘Which is more mom? 16 or 14?’ 16 bud. ‘What is 6 plus 4? It’s 10 mom. How did you not know that?’ I did know that Sawyer. You didn’t let me answer. ‘What friends are coming to my birthday party on Saturday? Wait, let me say their names.’ ‘Lucas, Derek, Braden, Kellen….pause. Mom, did you know…
Read MoreA Week of Forevers
This week was a mixed bag. Or maybe, a grab bag. I guess I don’t really know what it was but I’m confident the word bag should be included. Maybe. It was hard and good, happy and hopeless, hopeful and unrelenting, energized and bone-weary. It simultaneously flew by and seemed like it would never end. In short, it was a normal week. Our new normal, anyway. On any given day I felt that our life was certain to be filled with nothing but trying to push our sweet boy up…
Read MoreThe Woman who said, “I’ve been there”
I was in line at the doctor’s office not very long ago trying to juggle my son James with one hand and my purse and clipboard of endless insurance and medical forms in the other. And that’s when I saw her standing in the line beside me wearing a pink sweatshirt, leggings, and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Like me, she had her hands full with her toddler, stroller, and loaded diaper bag. We made eye contact seconds before my little Houdini wiggled himself out of my arms…
Read MoreWho will Protect my Child?
I live in Florida where the Stoneman Douglas school shooting happened. I have four children. Ranging from 22 to 3 years old. My four year old son Asher has autism. He is high functioning. Friends and family tell me how lucky he is to be so. I don’t always feel that way. Asher started in public school pre-school just last October. I was very nervous about the little things. Will he hit another child? Will he run away from the teacher? Will he take all his clothes off to go…
Read MoreCreating a Sensory Friendly Space
One of the pieces of advice I have received over the years from therapists, educators and even parents of adult autistic children, was to make our home sensory friendly. In my mind that sounded overwhelming. Did that mean more stuff in my living room? Did that mean spending more money on stuff my son wouldn’t use or even try? I already felt like our house was kid friendly. It was covered in toys, Legos, balls, and Nerf Gun bullets. We had kid size chairs, blankets and fidgets every where. Wasn’t…
Read MoreI’m Thankful for you: My Sister, My Rock
Deakyn is our almost four year old son who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and is nonverbal. He was diagnosed earlier this year but we knew before that. He showed what we now know now were early signs when he was younger. Not knowing a lot about autism, just that it was something other people’s children had and that it wouldn’t happen to my family, we didn’t consider it We came into the autism world blind but ready to learn. He was a happy baby and a good sleeper…
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