Posts Tagged ‘nonverbal autism’
The Things I’ve Learned
The Things I’ve Learned… When my son was first diagnosed with autism, and in the early years that followed, I tried really hard to fit in. Into the norm. I wanted so badly for my family to be like the other families. But, well, we weren’t. We couldn’t even pretend. Or fake it till we made it. We were different. Our son was different. Those years that we tried to pretend were the worst. It physically hurt sometimes. To see the differences so loudly. Our son is 10 now. On…
Read MoreThe Story of Us
We have lots of new followers here! Welcome to our little corner of the internet. We are the dad (Jamie), the mom (Kate), and the littles. Cooper is 10. – Lover of trains. Sawyer is 8. – Protector and hockey player. Harbor is 2. – Wants to be a T-Rex. Wynnie is 3 months. – Perfect addition to our family. We talk a lot about autism over here and how our family has settled into it. We aren’t perfect and have made lots of mistakes but we do our best…
Read MoreHe Made up for It
Yesterday when I was talking about the chapters in my book, someone asked about Cooper’s relationship with his dad. And if I touched on it in my writing. The person then asked a follow up question about affection. ‘Does Cooper show affection to his dad? Has he always?’ The answer is no…he hasn’t always shown affection outwardly. Coops was more of a lone wolf when he was younger. And it was hard at times. Lonely even. We wanted so desperately to engage with our beautiful son. But his dad made…
Read MoreThank You for Learning About Autism
I want to say the hugest, most heartfelt thank you to each and everyone of you who has supported me and my family on this journey. I know that so many of you have fallen in love with Cooper and our story. Sawyer, Harbor and Wynnie too. And of course Jamie. 8 years ago I sat on my couch in Duluth, MN and I created a blog. I named it Finding Cooper’s Voice. And I truly had no intention of anyone every reading it. I poured my heart out to…
Read MoreCome Read the Story of Us
3 days until our book cover is revealed! Forever Boy will be released on April 5, 2022 but is available for presale now if you want to grab a copy! Forever Boy This photo was a strong contender for the cover. It’s one of my favorites of our family. When you have a child diagnosed with autism, it’s imperative to know that every person in your family will be impacted. Each of us has learned, been challenged, been blessed. We’ve grown. We’ve changed. This photo shows a family rallying around…
Read MoreThe Countdown is On!
The countdown is officially on for the reveal of my book cover! Forever Boy is available for presale but the cover is still a secret until Monday. 5 days to go! Cooper and I will reveal on Monday, live, right here! I’m going to share a few of the options that we considered for the cover. This is one of my most favorite pictures of Cooper. And the story behind the photo is fantastic. Cooper carried an 8×10 photo of our family everywhere he went. Even to our family photo…
Read MoreLet Them Show Us the Way
When you have a child diagnosed with autism, at some point you will be told all the things they may never do or achieve. Whether it’s from a friend of a friend, a medical professional, an educator, the internet, or an evaluation where you spend hours filling in little bubbles next to questions that cut you like a knife. The limits will be placed. I wish it didn’t happen. I wish instead we were told about how yes, it will be different, and yes there may be parts of development…
Read MoreWorth the Wait
There are really precious moments in life. Like when your father-in-law comes to find you to say… ‘Cooper and I just walked around the campground. He held my hand the whole entire way. He’s never done that before.’ He just beamed as he said it. Ten years is a long time to wait as a Grandpa. But worth every minute. I’ve never met a more loved or treasured little boy. Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting…
Read MoreWhat is Your Sentence?
Do you have a sentence that you say a million times a day? You say it so much it could be written on your tombstone. Here lies Kate. She is best known for ‘turn it down buddy’. Or with your last breath you say…’why are you naked?’ Because I do. As a mom to three boys I am forever asking why they don’t have pants on. And for the volume to be lowered. No one complies though. Not ever. What is yours? What sentence do you say every single day?…
Read MoreAre You Hearing This?
My son Cooper doesn’t have a lot to say verbally. But he’s always communicating. Sometimes it’s a point or a wave. A sound. A facial expression. A click of a button. A stomp of a foot. He’s always listening too. He hears everything. In fact he’s incredibly nosey. He nods sometimes. Or smiles at something we’ve said. Or even scowls. He adores sounds. The hoot of an owl. The screech of a tire. The whistle of a train. And the roar of a wave. I think he hears things that…
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