Posts Tagged ‘autism’
A Day in the Life of Brayden
As the days tick down and school is about to begin I can feel the anxiety starting to climb at our house. When I was growing up I remember back to school as a glorious time. I remember going on a shopping trip to Mall of America or the local mall. We would spend the day laughing, wandering, and occasionally picking up a new pair of jeans or a needed pair of tennis shoes. It was never about the stuff. It was about spending quality time with your mom. Now…
Read MoreCall Out: I’m Thankful For You This November
This November, I will honor the therapists, teachers, doctors, friends, children, spouses, therapy centers, and family members that make a difference in your family’s life. This could range from the friend who sat with your child while you showered (for the first time in weeks!) to the doctor who finally listened to you. Or, the grandparent that took your other child to the park so they could get a break from their sibling’s disability to the therapist who puts in hour after hour teaching, modeling and praising your child. It…
Read MoreLiving the Unique Autism Life
It is really scary for me to share my experiences with Autism. I have been living this ‘unique Autism life’ for over 18 years; and I’ve received everything from pity, to criticism, to compassion, to hatred because of my children. I really don’t want any of those feelings. I just want people to enjoy my children for who they are, and see the imperfect blessings they bring. So, it’s with trepidation that I put this out there…to share my little piece of what it’s like. Not just the physical ‘alone’,…
Read MoreIt Wasn’t Just About Autism
This was our view while we waited for fireworks on Independence Day. It was a lovely sight with the flag hanging in the street and kids laughing and playing together. Some were doing cartwheels. Some were playing catch. Some were shooting hoops. They were all ages from toddler to teenager. It felt like summer. It felt like freedom. It felt like community. Until it didn’t. My son is 7. He’s sweet and funny. He’s creative. He loves peanut butter and books and Lego person heads. He has beautiful blue eyes.…
Read MoreControlling What I Can Control
On day three of Harbor’s life, he cried all day. He nursed and fussed. Nursed and fussed. He didn’t sleep for nearly six hours. At 3 pm, I broke down. Not because of exhaustion. Not because of the stress of nursing. Solely out of fear. I said the words aloud that I feared the most, ‘Jamie, he’s autistic. I know it.’ Jamie, the one who is always calm, always level headed, never emotional, said, ‘no he’s not.’ But I could see the fear in his eyes. At 5 pm, Jamie…
Read MoreI am the Parent of a Child with Autism
If you see me about and I look like I’ve had no sleep, know that you are not wrong. The last thing I want to do most days is plaster myself in makeup. I’m clean and I’m showered. My hair is slapped back and that’s enough. I bump into people I know and maybe some who I haven’t spoke to in a while and I know people mean well but I just need to explain something about autism. If you’ve met one person with autism you’ve only met one person…
Read MoreWhy Being Mightier Can Help Your Child
Mightier, a program developed out of Boston Children’s Hospital, helps kids build emotional strength through video games. It helps all kids, regardless of current emotional regulation ability. It does this because it meets them where they are, letting them take the skills they already have, and turn them into regulation skill that works for them. It let’s kids face down the challenges in their life with grace and find their best self. Why be Mightier? Kids with emotional regulation find success. They do better at school. They form better relationships.…
Read MoreLove Needs No Words
“Don’t worry Sadie, you can hold your ears, I’ll always be here to help you.” These were the words I overheard my five year old Max say to Sadie as I was walking past the bathroom. She was holding her ears and needed help with her pants, without hesitation Max helped her and continued on giving her step by step instructions on how to wash her hands. He’s the brother that never wants to see her upset, he’ll step in to tickle her or make her laugh until she’s forgotten…
Read MoreSpecial Needs Parenting Under a Microscope
You know what I find to be the hardest part of taking my severely autistic son out in public…And it’s not what you think. It’s not the screaming. Or the meltdowns. Or the running or chasing. Or his anxiety. Or managing my stress on top of his. It’s doing it all under a microscope. The curious stares. The people. The knowing how loud my son is. Knowing what a scene we are indeed making. The praying that nothing really bad happens. The hyper awareness that is needed. The worry. It’s…
Read MoreAutism is Messy – The Cost of Independence
In these two photos, the photo on the left is a photo of the chair cushion where our autistic kid sits for his meals. The picture doesn’t come remotely close to showing the extent of the abuse this chair has taken. To give you a comparison, the photo on the right is another chair at the same table where others in the family sit. Yes. The two chairs are from the same set. And yes. The damage is clearly permanent. Our boy is thankfully a pretty good eater (praise God…
Read More