Posts Tagged ‘Special Needs Parenting’
Battling the Darkness
There was a time our life changed. We went from ‘typical parents’ to special needs parents. Although I still don’t see the differences. We have a different struggle, but we are still parents. Autism crept into our lives and changed the way we used our voice, while we were fighting for other kids. It sneaked into ours and asked us to use our voice for our own children. Our son was the first to be diagnosed…never did we think we would take the same road twice. I think I grieved…
Read MoreAutism, Anxiety and Lost Time
One of the most unreasonable, exhausting, and heartbreaking sides of autism is anxiety. Sometimes it falls under the ever-broadening umbrella that is Autism Spectrum Disorders, and sometimes you face anxiety as one of many comorbid diagnoses. In our world, anxiety is the fierce sidekick to autism. It’s the root of things like self-injury, aggression, and property destruction. It is also the thief of time. Anxiety is the reason you will not find our family in line for a ride at Disneyland, a photo with Santa, or even a burger and…
Read MoreStates Look to Put Label on Driver’s License for Autism
My son Johnny was almost five years old when he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. That was almost one year ago. Although we were told by experts they were unsure, I could have pushed to have him diagnosed sooner. To be completely honest, I think I was afraid of the label. I did not want people to hear he was autistic and assume so many preconceived ideas about him. I did not want them to expect the worst from him, or love him less. I worried teachers would dislike…
Read MoreWhat Happens When?
I spent an intense morning with my son Luke at the eye doctor. Honestly, we’ve been frequenting doctor’s offices most days. Yesterday was PT for Ryan my husband, today, eye doctor for Luke, tomorrow and Friday PT for Ryan, Saturday, family doctor for a new wheelchair for Luke… This is life for special needs families. I made this appointment months ago…before Ryan had committed to his new surgery date in Feb…before when the original date was Jan 6 but then Luke was still in PICU and so we rearranged our…
Read MoreBecause, Autism
I must finally admit to myself and the world that I’m tired. Physically and mentally exhausted. For the last 15 years of my 17-year-old son’s life, autism has dictated the mood, comfort, décor (or lack thereof) and decibel level of our home. Severe, non-verbal autism has robbed my son of the ability to communicate effectively or calmly and replaced it with banging, hitting, throwing and aggression. It’s as if my son’s development has frozen in time…demonstrating behaviors matching a two-year-old temper tantrum. No matter the circumstance, he has learned…
Read MoreYour Smile
In my life, over the years, there have been a few things that have taken my breath away. The day I kissed my husband and committed my life to him as his wife…that kiss took my breath away. The night I found out I was going to be a mommy for the first time. The world stopped spinning and for a split second I stopped breathing. My daughter had a febrile seizure on top of me when she was 16 months old and I held my breath while my husband…
Read MoreFire Drills
Hi. My name is Carrie. I have five kids, and my second son has autism. His name is Jack. I’ve come to think of autism as a kind of symphony, if you will. There are loud cymbals, and a quiet tympani. Sometimes, there is a melody, but more often than not, it sounds like chaos. Jack hates fire drills. He always has. For much of his life, he has lived in fear of them. When he was six, he would come off the bus and say the same phrase over…
Read MoreDon’t Count Our Kids Out
Who needs some joy today? This kid had his first school conference in three years yesterday. He’s a big fourth grader now. And like I’ve known all along…he’s amazing. He’s joyful. Happy. Cuddly. Loves giving hugs. So smart. He knows so many sight words and is amazing on his speech device. The goal for me is typing words. I can’t wait until we can have a typed conversation. His bus driver and aide love him. His driver told me he hits the bumps for him because it makes him so…
Read MoreHalloween 2020
Happy Halloween friends! Cooper had his best Halloween ever. He happily and proudly wore his costume. And the hat! I cannot believe he wore the hat people! He willingly walked with us. He visited four houses! And only went inside one. In his defense he knows where they keep the good paper. He picked out exactly 7 treats and ate none. Thankfully his brothers helped him out. He pointed to his bag to say trick or treat and signed thank you at each house. Then he was done. We were…
Read MoreAdvice for the Special Needs Parent on Halloween
Today can be one of those days that can cause parents of children with special needs to take pause. To lose their breath for a second. To take notice of differences. To even feel slighted. Halloween. For me, in those early years post diagnosis, I took comfort living in our own comfortable bubble. But days like Halloween, pulled us out. And pushed us away at the same time. We were not like the other families. We still are not. And that can sting sharply or even in a dull way,…
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