Posts Tagged ‘diagnosis day’
The Measurement of Milestones
Measurement – it’s a natural human instinct. We measure time, distance, capacity, success, and achievement. Many forms of measurement I understand; time and distance for example facilitate civilizations’ successful functioning. There are however some forms of measurement that lack the same definition and purpose. Parents worldwide often over analyze a measurement: the measurement of milestones. From the moment you become a parent other, often well intentioned, people question you with regards to your child’s development. Your email inbox highlights notifications of what abilities your growing baby should have. Mothers’ groups…
Read MoreMy Fears for My Autistic Daughter
There are so many things I worry about when it comes to my autistic daughter. Raising a vulnerable child comes with so many fears. Some of these things are things we all worry about. I have four children and I worry about them all. The intensity and degree of worry when it comes to Alyssa is so intensified. My biggest fear is what will happen when I’m gone. This brings me to my knees, it terrifies me. Me and autism have long battled with control. I like control and so…
Read MoreAutism Times Two
On September 1, 2022, our youngest daughter Lucy was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Almost exactly two years after her big sister, Opal. It may come as a shock to some, but I have tried to talk openly about how we had concerns that Lucy may be autistic too. Lucy and Opal are complete opposites, and I know to some people that would seem to mean that Lucy couldn’t possibly be autistic, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Autism is different for everyone. You will never meet two…
Read MoreOur Seasons of Life with Autism
In life we all go through different seasons. These seasons come and go as time goes on. Sometimes we even live in these seasons without even realizing we are in them. When Charlie was younger we lived through a season of train obsessions. He loved trains to no end and would sometimes stay up until the wee hours of the night because he just HAD to play with them. He still loves them now, but the obsession has died down. The train obsessed season has passed. There was a season,…
Read MoreThe Caregiver Retreat I Didn’t Know I Needed
I really was anxious about the carpool ride that was arranged to get to the More Than a Caregiver Respite Retreat this past weekend. I was desperate to drive, convincing myself that I probably needed five hours each way to decompress. Even that the silence may help me more than friending. Turns out, I was so anxious about it that my breakup the carpool text never got sent. Then it was too late, these three were on the way, they showed up, we hugged quickly and I piled in. As…
Read MoreA Letter to Parents on Diagnosis Day
Maybe you’re just hearing the news that your child is on the autism spectrum. Or that they might be. Maybe you’re in the process of having your child evaluated. Or maybe you’re holding back from seeking a diagnosis because you’re scared. Scared of the label. Scared of hearing it out loud. Scared of the idea of forever. I understand. Every single emotion you’re feeling. But I want to show you something…. You see the photo below? This was never “supposed” to happen. My child has a friend. A friend in…
Read MoreI’ll Follow His Lead
“I think we can say with confidence that Leo meets all of the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder…” I sat on the floor of the room where Leo was being assessed, absorbing the doctor’s words…reaching with confusion for the tissue box she set out before me, only to realize that my cheeks were stained with tears silently streaming down my face. I knew before those words were uttered…before she handed me that piece of paper with his newly minted medical diagnosis… I knew. And yet, despite leaving for our appointment…
Read MoreDiagnosis Day
I know you are hurting. I know you are worried. I know your whole body is trembling, and clammy with sweat. I know, because I once heard the very words you heard today. Yes, it is Autism Spectrum Disorder. I heard them fifteen years ago, when I was a New Autism Mama. Now, I am an Old Autism Mama. Take a deep breath. Just breathe. It is a diagnosis, that’s all. Yes, it is life-changing. Yes, it is official, and important. It is also momentum, and possibility, and a chance…
Read MoreA New Diagnosis
The doctor said it. She said what I knew in my heart was true. I had been waiting over a year for this appointment and she confirmed what I have suspected since Joelle was eighteen months old. But how can something you saw coming still hurt so much? I knew when my second daughter wasn’t meeting her developmental milestones. As a nurse, I saw the red flags. At her eighteen month well visit, I brought up my concerns. When her pediatrician wanted to take a wait and see approach, I…
Read MoreWell-Child Visit
This little guy and I just came from his 18-month well-child visit. He’s 22 months actually so I was late. But only by four months. Not too bad if you ask me. I blame Covid. But really it’s because life is crazy and he’s healthy and we are all thankful to be able to avoid the doctor’s office right now. I have two other boys too. Cooper is 9. Sawyer is 7. I don’t remember any of Sawyer’s baby visits. I think because they were easy. He was easy. He…
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