Posts Tagged ‘severe autism’
Learning a Very Important Lesson
Someday, when your autistic child is three or four or five, you will learn a very important lesson. You will learn that it isn’t about you. Or what you are missing out on. It’s a very hard lesson to learn. At least it was for me. Because it didn’t make it any easier for my heart. By that age, you will have went through many birthday parties with a child who doesn’t care. You will plan the party, invite the guests, buy the presents, and your child will be oblivious…
Read MoreMedical Cannabis and Autism
When our son was diagnosed with autism a little over four years ago, I thought we would immediately start helping him. I assumed, so naively, that getting the diagnosis was all we needed to help him. I was wrong. For years we paved our own path. No one told us what to do. We couldn’t find any other children like our son. Our son had severe anxiety and rigidity. He self-injured. He had no understanding of safety or danger. He had chronic ear infections and extreme GI issues. He didn’t…
Read MoreThe Six Most Impactful Statements Ever Said to Me (VIDEO)
Did you know that one sentence, one statement, one insult, one negative or positive comment can change the course of your life? I’ve learned that profoundly over the last seven years. My amazing kid is autistic and nonverbal. We are on our own path. We are paving our own way through this world. And many things that have been said to me over the years have changed that path. They’ve made me angry. They’ve made me smile. A few of them even leveled me so ferociously that I couldn’t get…
Read MoreHoarding and My Autistic Son (VIDEO)
Hoarding. It’s a very real behavior in our autism world. Take a peek at what our son hoards and the sheer amount. I have a feeling a lot of parents will relate, smile (and cry) at this one. Photos, DVD cases, DVD’s, VHS tapes, books, receipts, pieces of paper, etc. He gathers them all up and visually stims on them. And then once done, he chooses his favorite few, and the rest get stuffed behind dressers, entertainment centers and under beds and couches. Every Saturday I clean up his piles.…
Read MoreFood Struggles and Autism
Food struggles. Some of the hardest battles we’ve had to date. I could tell you stories people. Tonight though, Super Cooper ate a whole plate of spaghetti and meatballs. And while he ate, Jamie and I reminisced about the days where he would throw chairs and tables (yes tables) over the sight of a blueberry, an apple or any new food. Up until Cooper was five years old he ate only four foods. The same four foods for every meal. Chicken nuggets, yogurt, Goldfish crackers and veggie straws. He also…
Read MoreA Look at Nonverbal Autism
A few nights ago I was talking to an acquaintance about Super Cooper. He was asking me questions about what it’s like to have a nonverbal child. He asked me if it is sad. He asked me if it was quiet. He asked me if Cooper has a desire to communicate. All AMAZING questions. They even brought me back to the day a speech therapist told me that we should prepare ourselves for the very possible fact that our beautiful son may never speak. I’ll admit, that sentence leveled me.…
Read MoreHaircuts and Autism (VIDEO)
It’s hair cut day! Anyone that follows my page knows that this is a huge day in our world. (Next to potty training this is our biggest victory!) Haircuts and autism rarely mix. And after one too many really awful experiences trying to go to a salon, I decided to cut Cooper’s hair myself. The first year was awful. Kicking, hitting, screaming. But we stuck with it. And now, five years later, he is a pro. Take a watch and see how amazing my boy does at age seven. I…
Read MoreI Want Greeting Card
Last night when Cooper got home from school, he immediately ransacked his bag. He pulled everything out. Then grabbed his speech device and said…’I want greeting card.’ I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. As he got more frustrated, I got more confused. Then this morning I get a text from his amazing therapist…’Did Cooper give dad the birthday card he made?!’ And then sent these photos. I seriously almost fell out of my chair. First, my kid is a genius and amazing. Second, he used his…
Read MoreBecoming Brothers
We have two boys – just 15 months apart. Usually when I tell someone this, I get comments like how lucky – they will be BEST friends. Do they get along? Do they fight a lot? I bet they keep you busy. Well, the last of these statements is certainly true but the others – I never thought it was possible but I think maybe we’re getting there. They are now 12 and 10. Our younger son has pretty severe/ nonverbal autism and his big brother is as “typical” as…
Read MoreWe Take Nothing for Granted in our World
Last night, my five-year-old graduated from preschool. It was a super big deal in our world. He wore a cap and gown. He practiced a song for weeks in the car, the shower and before bed. His grandparents came to the ceremony. He stood in front with the other kids and got his diploma. Jamie and I sat and watched. My baby boy. Achieving milestones. Growing up. Now, we prepare for Kindergarten. We will set a day for school shopping. We will pick out his backpack and supplies. We will…
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