Posts Tagged ‘Special Needs Parenting’
A Simple Card, an Unforgettable Gift: The Impact of Inclusion and Support
There is a memory I often share about Mother’s Day. In fact I think it’s even in my book. It impacted me so deeply. So much so that I’m still talking about it 10 years later. My son Cooper is the one who first made me a mom. Today he is 12 years old. He has a diagnosis of severe nonverbal autism. I like to tell the moms and dads of newly diagnosed children that it takes time. Every part. Acceptance. Understanding. Advocacy. It all takes time. Ten years ago,…
Read MoreTwo Brothers Side-By-Side
I’m raising two boys side-by-side. There is barely two years between them. When I found out I was pregnant with my second son all those years ago…I had plans. Big ones. Visions. Expectations. Best friends. Teammates. When the oldest was diagnosed with severe nonverbal autism it all changed. Ever so slightly at first. Than greatly over time. They didn’t play together. They didn’t even acknowledge each other. But time…it has a way of healing and growing. Understanding comes. Loyalty. Love. Devotion. And advocacy. Tonight I watched the one with no…
Read MoreBelieving in Progress: A Brother’s Love
Tonight my older son Cooper and I went to his 10-year-old brother’s baseball game. We were armed with a blanket, a chair, an iPad, hotspot, snacks, a drink, and talk of a visit to the fire station this Saturday. And belief in a boy with autism. Belief in progress and hard work. See he is 12 years old. He doesn’t care much for sports. But he sure loves his brother. He stayed for 1 hour and 45 minutes. I saw almost every inning. I saw my son catch. I saw…
Read More‘Brother Doesn’t Talk Mama……’
‘Brother doesn’t talk mama……’ That’s what he said to me a few months after he turned three. He was downstairs with his older brother. Eight years between them. The conversation one sided when I peeked in. The older brother dancing to the songs on his iPad. The younger brother playing dinosaurs. The moved around the room together. Clumsily. Interacting at times. But more often not. ‘Why doesn’t he talk mama?’ I did my best to explain autism to the tiny human who I know without a doubt will grow up…
Read MoreBreaking the Stereotypes: Celebrating the Beauty of a Differently Lived Life
I want to tell you about a boy. His name is Cooper. He is 12 years old. And he was diagnosed with severe nonverbal autism at age 3. When I heard those three words for the first time, severe-nonverbal-autism, associated with my son, it felt like everything shifted. Some things slightly. Some drastically. Everything that once was…was suddenly no more. I spent a lot of time googling, reading, researching, until I realized my best teacher was my own son. I say that because there is no text book on autism.…
Read More‘What Kind of Autism Does He Have?’
‘What kind of autism does he have?’ I get that question a lot lately. It typically comes from someone new to my life. A fellow sports parent. A stranger at a party. A grandparent at the park. See when I tell people I have four kids, ages 1-12, people ask questions. What schools do they go too? What sports do they play? Do you know so and so? My son is 12 too! I tell them about each of my kids, with pride and love and humor. I share stories…
Read MoreThey Live In Separate Worlds
I have four kids. My older two are 12 and 10. Brothers. The oldest is 12. He loves trains and DVD cases and bright colored paper. He is part fish and would live in the water if I let him. He does not like sports. Not one bit. But he adores sitting in the sun with a queen sized comforter and a pillow. My 10 year old lives for a party. He plays hockey and baseball and anything competitive. He adores babies and puppies and asking me for Roblox. Talks…
Read MoreMy Autistic Boy Said ‘Cars’ Just for Me
Something happened yesterday. Something huge. But I missed it because life was happening. I had a baby crying and on my hip. The stove timer was yelling at me reminding me that the asparagus was done. We needed to get to Miracle League Sports. My middle son had baseball practice. And that’s when it happened. During all of that. My son Cooper said the word car. Which I guess doesn’t sound all that great. Everyone can say car right? Well, my boy is unique. He is 12 years old. He…
Read MoreA Bad Day: ‘We Need You to Come Get Him’
One minute and 3 seconds. That’s how long the voicemail was from the school today. About my son. Cooper. He is 12 years old. He has severe nonverbal autism. It wasn’t the first. It won’t be the last. It was kind. And came from a place of love and concern. We live in the special education world. I call it a secret world. And it truly is. I’m not sure anyone would deny it. Because I am raising three other small humans and have never experienced anything with them like…
Read MoreLiving and Learning in the Messiest Way
I’ve been thinking a lot about parenting lately. And the pressure to do it one way or another. Maybe it’s the social media influencing me. Or maybe it’s having four entirely different kids growing up at rapid speed in a world that doesn’t always make sense. I suppose it started with getting an epidural or not. Then to breastfeed or formula feed. Cry it out. Baby led weaning. Gentle vs free range parenting. Looking back those decisions seem so minor. My big kids are getting older now. 12 and 10.…
Read More