Posts Tagged ‘Nonverbal’
Divide and Conquer: A Way of Life for our family
This morning Sawyer had a family breakfast at his preschool. When we initially saw the invite we knew that if both Jamie and I wanted to attend we’d have to make arrangements for someone to watch Cooper and bring him to school. At this time, he is unable to attend an event such as this. It’s our reality. He doesn’t sit or participate. He isn’t safe. And it would make the experience not enjoyable for Sawyer. And that’s not fair. When I think about our family, one of my greatest…
Read MoreInclusion at Church
This morning we are becoming members of a new church. This is our place. We love it there. Of course we had to find someone to watch Cooper. He can’t go. He can’t sit or be calm. This would be setting him and our family up for failure. I like to be honest with you. I’m sad and a little bit angry. But not at anyone or anything. Just the situation. It plain old sucks. I hate that we can’t all go. I hate that everything is such a big…
Read MorePreparing to Move to a New Home
Today, we had our walk thru in our new home. The home we are moving to in 11 days. To say we are excited is an understatement. Our family has moved a lot. Five times to be exact. All for better services and a better life for Cooper. And we’ve finally found them. We are exactly where we are supposed to be. Cooper has an amazing village and he is thriving. Sawyer is starting kindergarten in the fall. Jamie and I both love our jobs. We are happy. Live is…
Read MoreConveying Love Nonverbally
Since Cooper was a baby, he has always touched my face. He will do it to get my attention or to show me something that’s important to him. He will do it when he’s excited, when he is sad or happy. It’s his way of communicating. He does it even before vocalizing. He always has. It’s our thing. This is how he shows me love. He will run up to me, motion for me to bend over, and palm my cheek with his hand. Sometimes, it is just for a…
Read MoreWhat Autism is to Me
It’s almost April, and the world will be lighting up blue for autism awareness. I saw posts about autism before I had Austin. I saw friends changing their porch lights. I saw it, but I really couldn’t relate. I hadn’t experienced autism. Autism was something other people’s kids had. Fast forward a few years, and our lives revolve around autism. I read and research about it.I analyze and obsess over whether we’re doing enough for Austin, or whether we’re doing too much. Autism has taken over our lives in many…
Read MoreOur First Steps on a Journey that Continues Today
People often ask me if I knew my son had autism when he was an infant. The answer is no. There were, however, all these little clues that he was different from his brother. Little to no eye contact, not responding to his name, and not smiling when myself or someone else would smile at him. But, they were all just out of my awareness and the complete picture of what we would face in the coming months was not yet clear. I started to question things near Finn’s first…
Read MoreLoving Our Son For Who He Is With No Expectations
This post is about the ‘start’ of our autism journey with our now 17 year old son Cody, who is on the severe end of the autism spectrum. This is when I first realized that my life was not going to be as I had anticipated or even hoped it was going to be and how I learned to be okay with it. And more importantly, how I turned those lost hopes and dreams into what is now my only desire. A lifetime of happiness for my son with no…
Read MoreObservations From an Autism Mom
Off he went in a flash in the big open gym. He darted away not to play with other kids at the birthday party, but instead to play with a curtain on the far right side of the room that separates the small space from the big gym. He happily pulled the curtain open and closed it again. Over and over. He then darted off to throw a basketball in the hoop. He laughed as he picked up the ball and threw it in. Within a few seconds, he was…
Read MoreWhen a Doctor Told Me I Wasn’t a Terrible Mother
So, here’s a thing that happened the other day. I took my son Ivan to the dermatologist to have a look at his moles. We have a history of melanoma in the family and it seemed like the responsible thing to do. Are moles Ivan’s biggest challenge or at the top of our medical list? Heck no! Ivan is totally blind, nonverbal, in a wheelchair and he has uncontrolled epilepsy resulting in multiple seizures a day. We see about a dozen different specialists and dermatology is definitely at the very…
Read MoreI Often Wonder if My Son Is Lonely
Good morning! We are having a much needed snow day in Minnesota. It’s nice to slow down once in a while. I haven’t had a relaxing morning with Cooper in months. It has been pretty busy around here lately. We are the early risers while Sawyer and dad sleep. We sit together. I watch the news and drink coffee. Cooper gathers his favorite things and a blanket. This mornings favorites include a picture of Dad, a coaster, Thomas DVD case, Thomas picture, a yellow magnetic block (so good for visually…
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