Posts Tagged ‘severe autism’
A New Year’s Resolution
Recently my friend texted me, “I’m so happy our boys are out having fun together”. Just a normal text any friend would send when Dads take their boys to a basketball game together. Then I looked over at my sweet Finley who has Autism and thought I’m not happy because one of my boys is here with me and not out with everyone else enjoying a basketball game and that is because he has Autism. Then for the first time I started to realize that this kind of night would…
Read MoreThe Woman Who Makes my Son Successful
I’m writing to honor our son Kash’s school paraprofessional, Susan Reed. We are so very thankful for the long hours and hard work Susan puts in to make Kash successful. We are a family of five. My husband Kyle and I are the parents to three incredible little boys. Our oldest, Kash is severely autistic and nonverbal. We reside in a small Texas community where I was raised. When Kash was diagnosed, we decided to move here because we knew our little town would love Kash unconditionally and embrace him.…
Read MoreWhere are you Christmas?
It’s the holiday season again. The time where we find the most perfect gifts for each other, bake and cook way too much food, and get to see the Christmas spirit through our children’s eyes. Except for some of us that Christmas spirit isn’t there. For some of us you see a social media update that looks “Christmasy” (is that a word?) but what it took to get that photo is another story. My son was diagnosed two years ago, almost three now. He has never understood the holiday but…
Read MoreWhat it Stole From Us
I stand in the shower and let the scalding hot water burn my skin. The first quiet moments of day. I take a deep breath. And let it out slowly. I give myself the grace to feel and think about what it stole from us. The grace every parent should give themselves every now and then. Of course we shouldn’t dwell there. But it’s okay to visit now and then when it is warranted. Especially on days like Christmas. And birthdays. And other milestones. As the water burns my back,…
Read MoreThe Boys Meeting Santa and Ms. Claus
Santa and Mrs. Claus made a visit to see the boys! It was absolutely beautiful. Here is a video with a peek at our Santa visit last year and this year. Sawyer asked for ALL the toys and Cooper said ‘I want Santa’ and ‘I want present.’ He nailed it. We are a blessed family. ‘Anything can happen child. Never stop believing.’ https://www.facebook.com/findingcoopersvoice/videos/338074990355936/ Merry Christmas! Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because…
Read MoreEbenezer Scrooge has nothing on an Autism Christmas
A look at our Christmas present, present and future… CHRISTMAS PRESENT As I sat alone with my oldest, panting from our recent wrestling match, keeping him from darting off for the third time, I realized I was an outsider at our own family celebration. I watched as if I was outside a storefront window. This beautiful unattainable family holiday gathering performed in front of my eyes. How badly do I want to fit in. How do I wish that just once my boys could have a happy Christmas gathering. I…
Read MorePerfect After Autism
I found myself sitting on a bench nursing Harbor at a store today on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. We were out grabbing a few last minute things. A train magazine for Cooper. A sweatshirt for Sawyer. My bench happened to be right in front of the line to see Santa Claus. I had the perfect view of the big guy in red. And all the kids that were so excited to see him. Little girls in fancy dresses with bows in the their hair. Little…
Read MoreA Simple Card
Last night I did the usual unpacking of my daughter’s school bag, emptied her lunch kit and read her commination book to see how her day was. As I was going through her stuff, I noticed a card ‘’To Mom’’ which threw me as she calls me Jennifer. I opened it up and it was a Christmas card Kya had made for me. I burst into tears. To me it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was also the very first card from Kya. As a…
Read MoreLearning to Love Life with a Special Needs Child
It was still dark out when my eyes opened. One child was still breathing quietly under the comforters, while another cozied up next to me suckling at my breast. There was just enough time for me to put on a face and prepare for Julian’s Christmas party. If he can get 45 more minutes of sleep I thought to myself, we will be in good shape. I could coerce him into wearing something other than his dinosaur sweat pants…And just maybe, he will take delight in his Christmas party! I…
Read MoreIt’s Beginning to Look A Lot like Christmas…
What does Christmas look like for your family? For many families of those with special needs, it may or may not look like your, “Dreaming of Sugar Plums dancing in your head” vision. Christmas for our family begins soon after Thanksgiving with a late night visit from the Christmas Fairy. While I adore my decorations I have collected over the years, planning to set them out is almost like a conspiracy. My son does not do change in scenery very well. A few years ago, as we were getting everything…
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