Posts Tagged ‘autism’
I Can’t Turn Off The Worry
In my recent viral video, backlash came over several topics. One that surprised me the most was the anger over me describing how having an autistic child has affected my mental health. How the worry over his safety and his future has changed everything. I had no idea that would anger people. It’s a normal conversation topic whenever I get together with other moms who have children with special needs. We talk about the stress, anxiety, migraines, ulcers. We complain about how our sleep is affected. Our sanity. We joke…
Read MoreDone Trying to Fit Into ‘Normal’
My ‘aha moment’ developed over a series of very confusing, embarrassing, bizarre, and frustrating events. But, I know that there was an undeniable moment in time, where I saw without a doubt, that there was something about my son very different from other kids his age. Something very different from my older son. The difference wasn’t a spoiled child. It wasn’t a lack of discipline. It wasn’t just the toddler stage. This difference was beginning to infiltrate every moment of every day and every night. Looking back, I could say…
Read MoreWhat Will Autism Look Like For My Son As He Gets Older
When my son Cody was diagnosed at the early age of 17 months, he was a quirky little guy with high energy but somewhat aloof and not really “autistic” looking, I guess. As Cody grew older his disability was much more evident and it’s been hard. I remember thinking I felt like I had to explain why Cody was acting in a certain way or almost apologizing for him being too loud or disruptive. When Cody was little and having a meltdown he just looked like he was a young…
Read MoreThe Start of the Long Road to Acceptance
Today, I watched my four year old Florence at one of her school performances. As I stood watching her dance and sing – coyly beaming at me every now and then – I felt that old familiar feeling rise. It’s bittersweet. See as I watch my girl perform I cannot help think of my son. Connor is three. He was diagnosed just before his third birthday with ASC. Connor has the type of autism that you cannot miss. You know the loud, in your face and challenging type. Introverted he…
Read MoreA Super Cooper Update (Video)
Hi friends! Here is a good ole fashioned Super Cooper and Kate update. We haven’t done one in a while! Cooper is healthy, happy, sleeping and working on many different skills in ABA. He’s specifically working on pairing two sounds together! I want people to know that yes, I get caught up in the struggles that go hand-in-hand with parenting. And especially parenting a child with special needs. But, what matters most, is my son’s happiness. And this kid treats every day like it’s the best day of his life.…
Read MoreSometimes I Wish It Wasn’t So Hard
My autism “ah-ha” moment came when my youngest son was six years old. He was diagnosed at age four with moderate to severe autism and a global delay. I was recently a single mom of the three boys, with two of them on the autism spectrum. My one son however was high functioning and steadily progressing. That was not the case with my middle son though and it was a very hard pill to swallow. We had many medical professional tells us that we needed to focus on quality of…
Read MoreTo My Son’s First Friend…
To my sons first friend, I’m not sure that you know what you mean to me. I have watched you and my boy, for months now. I have seen the way you tend to him. Not in a, here I’ll help you because you’re special needs…kind of way. But a, you’re my friend and I want to be with you…kind of way. I have seen the way you look at him, and the way he looks at you. I have watched you get him to do things, that others can’t.…
Read MoreMy Partner, I’m Sorry Autism Changed Me
Jamie, I’ve been thinking about when we first got married. How young we were. We were so unbelievably happy. We had a little house. We had jobs we liked. We had so many friends. We had two puppies. We referred to each other as mom and dad when referencing the dogs. We were that couple. But most importantly, we knew exactly who we were. We had identities and hobbies. We weren’t defined by anything that we didn’t want to be defined by. Some days, I swear you would just stare…
Read MorePartners in PolicyMaking-Sign Up is Now Open
Hey all! Many of you ask how I jumped into the advocacy world. How did I start? Well, it’s quite simple. As my autistic son got older I started to see all the things that were wrong with the way people with disabilities were and are treated. It didn’t seem right. It didn’t seem fair. So, I started openly talking about things like Medicaid, inclusion, and disability awareness. I want you to know that when my son was diagnosed with autism I remember specifically thinking…I don’t want to carry the…
Read MoreA Letter to My Daughter, My Son’s Biggest Fan
Today was, as you call it, a “Mommy Day.” I don’t work on Mondays, so we played and snuggled and went to music class and ate lunch at Panera. Then, we picked up “Col Col” from preschool. You burst into the classroom, thrilled to see your big brother, and he proudly announced “This is my friend, Grace!” You two giggled and ran around, and didn’t listen to Mommy, and giggled some more. I love seeing you two together (even when you’re being a little naughty) because I didn’t know if…
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