How Therapy Allowed me to Breathe Again
To our amazing ABA team,
I wanted to take this time to explain our level of appreciation for you. I have spent the last year of my life feeling like I could not exhale.
Since Dominic was about 20 months old and I suspected he was on the spectrum, I had obsessively immersed myself in researching ways to help build language, both expressive and receptive.
I read about 20 books and shed many so tears worrying about my son’s future.
He had no words. He was getting angry and frustrated, I was sad and frustrated.
I felt like I wasn’t able to be his mother and rather became his teacher and therapist.
All I did was read, watch videos and try to promote some sort of understanding of language. My pregnancy with Mason was consumed by worries and stress over Dom.
To help you understand, Dominic did not come easy to us.
After a few miscarriages, IVF and 2.5 years we got our perfect guy. I fought hard for him before he was even here and will continue to fight hard for him to be the best he can be.
So, the day he was diagnosed I called you all at Behavioral Connections.
I saw the incredible amount of progress you made in my godson’s life and prayed that maybe we could see some progress with Dominic.
In three short months YOU have changed our world.
The amount of progress he has made is astonishing.
I have lost track of how many words he has now. He is able to communicate his basic needs now.
He can understand language so much better. His frustration level has decreased immensely. But more importantly you all have provided Eric and I with a new level of hope.
For that, is more valuable than anything.
I have spent my entire career educating children with severe disabilities but when it is YOUR child who is struggling it hurts you in a different way and turns you into a mama bear fighting to ensure your child is getting what they need and in a respectful way.
You all provide this.
I see the way he trots up the ramp every day with a big smile to see you all.
When we say it’s time for school he happily grabs his hat and jacket and runs to the car.
I can see the connections he has with each of you and as his mother this is what matters.
Please know that we see your hard work, we appreciate every diaper you change, every hug you give, every word you teach him, every hat you help put on Dommy’s head and every damn baby shark song you had to listen to.
You have allowed me to step back and be Dom’s mom again.
For that we are forever grateful.
The most exciting part is that all this progress has only come on 3 months. I can not wait to see where he is in another 3 months.
Thank you from the deepest parts of our hearts.
Written by, The Dahlquist Family
I am Lindsay, mom of two boys. I have a wonderful husband Eric. Dominic just turned 3. and Mason and Mason is 10 months old. Dominic was diagnosed with ASD in May of 2018. He began ABA in September. I have been teaching a classroom of students with moderate to severe disabilities for the past 12 years and love what I do. I feel like it has prepared me for my life with Dominic.
(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Lindsay Dahlquist and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.)
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