Posts Tagged ‘Nonverbal’
Childhood is Not One Size Fits All
“Motherhood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you’d have. It’s about understanding he’s exactly the person he is supposed to be. And if you’re lucky, he might be the teacher who turns you into the person you’re supposed to be.” -Joan Ryan I always knew I wanted children from a very young age. And for some reason, I always hoped I’d have a little boy. Well the universe heard my wishes and a little over four years ago we met our beautiful…
Read MoreThe Fear of Silence
This morning I listened to a sermon about silence. How in today’s world it is hard to find. And how most people say they want more silence, but when they get it, they fear it. They can’t take it. It’s too quiet. I sat there listening, bouncing my baby on my knee, and thought about how I was probably the only person in the room that knows the silence of an eight year old boy. Of a nonverbal boy. And how loud it can truly be. How your brain can…
Read MoreI am the Lucky One
I get to see and hear the world through his eyes. We dance to our reflections in windows. We twirl to music. We lay on the ground just to feel the carpet on our cheeks. We laugh at a sneeze or a hiccup. Over and over again. We make funny noises. We run. We roll. We don’t care what anyone thinks. We laugh. Only his laugh is way better than mine. It’s the best noise I have ever heard. Deep from the belly. We eat cupcakes. But only the frosting.…
Read MoreWhy her? Why us?
We try not to have too many why her/why us moments as it is a slippery slope but sometimes it is hard not to. I just don’t get why this has happened. We did everything right. Why her? Why us? Evie is 2 years and 9 months old, currently non-verbal and being assessed for autism. We first thought that Evie may have developmental issues early on, around the 12-month mark, when she didn’t start talking, pointing, waving and all the other usual things on the autism “check list”. However, we…
Read MoreWhat’s it like to be Nonverbal…
I am so excited and honored to introduce you to Peri of Not Raingirl. I have been following Peri for quite some time and trying to learn everything I can from her. Not only is she amazing herself, I know that she can help me be a better mom to Cooper. Take a read as she describes what it feels like to be nonverbal. Peri’s Story I was not fully verbal until I was 10 years old. I said my first word at 6 years old, but stopped saying much…
Read MoreTo my Partner in Life
My name is Amber and I am hard of hearing and an autism mother. I want to thank my husband, the man who is always fighting for awareness of our autistic son. This is going on year 3 since I found out about the autism diagnosis of my son, Jason. I remember being in the room the diagnosis day and just was feeling all mixed emotions. I was speechless going through the whole evaluation with my son. I just wanted to go home and cuddle my son and be done…
Read MoreWhen my Son Introduced me to a Stranger
My favorite autism moment with my son is when he introduced me to a stranger. It was an amazing moment I will cherish forever! My son, Eli was diagnosed at 19 months old with moderate autism spectrum disorder. It was not shocking news to me. We had concerns with Eli since he was super little. Never greeted anyone, never responded when spoken to, never spoke a word. He always used screams, cries, and grunts to communicate. Once diagnosed, we began outpatient speech and occupational therapies at our local hospital. Eli…
Read MoreA Letter to my Little Brother
Hey Sawyer, I’m hoping that someday I can say this all to you. But there is a chance that I might never be able too… I’m hoping that when you are older you will read this and understand. I know you think I have nothing to say. I do. I know I confuse you. I’m so loud. I flap my arms. I don’t notice toys. Or play sports. Or like to leave our house. I don’t have any friends. Or really pay any attention to you either. I just like…
Read MoreThe Therapists who Become Family
They say it takes a village to raise a special needs child. Well, our village consists of three very special women. My son Mason is six years old. He is non-verbal and non-ambulatory. He was diagnosed with hypotonia, which is low muscle tone, not long after birth. We were in the NICI for 7.5 weeks. He had surgery at four weeks old for a muscle biopsy and feeding tube placement. He has been thru more in his short six years of life than I have in my whole life. He’s…
Read MoreI am Thankful for My Sister
I am so thankful for my sister and godmother. She is amazing hands down! She has been with me from the very beginning of my son’s autism diagnosis when he was four. From my grieving, unanswered questions, mixed emotions and through tears I faced. Through every meltdown, challenges and struggle he faced and still faces, she has loved up on him and helped me and my husband face this head on. She reminds us we’re not alone. My son Jason even inspired her to learn more about autism in a…
Read More