Posts Tagged ‘Special Needs Child’
A Girl and Her Dog: A Lifeline for a Young Autistic Girl
A young girl encased in a world that requires predictability and a peaceful space finds it really difficult to accept interactions unless she is the one initiating them. When my daughter was little, we had two dogs. She didn’t seem to notice or have a need to be near either one of them. Occasionally, she would allow the smaller dog to lay near her, but she didn’t necessarily connect with him. Both dogs had a sense that they needed to be calm in her presence and would not initiate contact…
Read MoreGrowing Up With Autism: Putting My Mental Health First
One of the best things I ever did for myself was to put my mental health first and not be afraid to talk about it. Please teach our society that seeking support for mental health challenges doesn’t make someone ‘crazy.’ When I was a kid growing up on the autism spectrum, I saw a therapist for a short time due to my challenging behaviors. Being bullied in school, I would avoid mentioning this as getting help and seeking good mental health was often labeled as being ‘weird.’ Some of my…
Read MoreStrength in Adversity: Navigating Autism as a Mother of Four
As a mom of four, one with autism, life has many challenges. Balancing a child with special needs along with three other children can be difficult. Growing up in a busy household filled with love and laughter, but with the unpredictable chaos that autism can bring in an instant, was not easy. It was ever-changing, and they were constantly going through the ups and downs that this life can bring. I know that living this life beside their sister made them stronger and more empathetic people. There was lots of…
Read MoreA Difficult Decision: Splitting Up for Disneyland, Leaving One Behind
As I ascended the stairs onto the aircraft, I knew our decision was the right one. Leaving our son, Rhys, at home, while we took our other two children to Disneyland, was a hard decision to make, but in our world these tough decisions are what we face daily. We live life differently because my son is autistic and this world is not designed to make it easy. I thought back to many occasions where Rhys’ brother had been so excited for a day trip and then only allowed to…
Read MoreA Moment of Connection: Finding Goodness in Unexpected Places
‘I should have waved back. I’m sorry.’ She said it apologetically. She was young. Her hair had blue stripes in it. Braces still on her teeth. At her age, no older than 16, I honestly didn’t expect her to wave back. My name is Kate and my son Cooper is autistic. If you met him in a drive thru, like this young lady did today, you’d probably assume he’s a typical boy. He has blonde hair. His t-shirt is from old navy. He has checkered slip on vans on his…
Read MoreOur Autistic Son’s Audition Experience
A while back, a local modeling agency reached out to our family. They were looking for autistic children to take part in an ad for a cell phone company. They invited Cooper to audition. First, I will tell you we were honored. I mean, seriously, how cool. Representation for one. And knowing how cute and cool our kid was for two. But, I was also very hesitant. Cooper is a autistic and nonverbal. He can get overwhelmed. He struggles to sit and wait. He can be a runner. Not everyone…
Read MoreInvisible Disabilities: How You Can Help Kids Like My Son
People ask me all the time how they can help. Kind people. Loving people. Strangers. Friends. Family. People on this page. I speak about that out of control feeling that happens when my son starts struggling. When his big feelings about waiting or sitting overwhelm him. Or when the noise is too much and the lights are too bright or he smells something in the air that you and I can’t make out. Maybe we are in line at the grocery store. Or at a park. Or in the paper…
Read MoreUnforeseen Paths of Motherhood
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I’m ashamed to admit that this is how I feel somedays. Don’t get me wrong, I never expected parenthood to be easy, and I know we don’t have it the hardest. But when I get the rare chance to reflect, I feel it. The exhaustion of living at a heightened level. There’s always something in life with a child with autism. It may be a new behavior that has popped up or resurfaced, or a program that requires hours of paperwork, or never-ending…
Read MoreA Tired Mom: Embracing Support and Asking for Help
Today I had an interesting thought cross my mind. It was in passing as I was pouring coffee and starting my day. It was “I am tired of taking care of myself.” What does this mean to me? Every day I have to work hard to recognize what I am feeling. To be conscious about not shutting off, to add in moments that light up my spirit, to share with others, to eat and exercise for my brain, and to just keep standing in it all. It has taken a…
Read MoreI’ll Hold Him Mom. I Have Him.
Back in the beginning, when the folder was slid across the table, and the words ‘severe nonverbal autism’ were said out loud… I remember wishing for a crystal ball. I wanted to know what the future held for my boy. His brother. Our family. I begged. I pleaded. I bargained. I prayed. For a glimpse. This is the one I wish I could have seen. Right here. A moment in time. Peace from the chaos. Two brothers. Two years apart. One verbal. One not. One on track. One proudly marching…
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