Show your Kids the World
When we bought a house in a neighborhood full of kids I told my husband we are either making the biggest mistake ever…or we are going to change Cooper’s life.
At the time, Cooper paid no attention to kids. He hated noise and chaos. He didn’t like a full house.
Overnight Sawyer made friends. In and out they came.
So many kids Cooper’s age. Older and younger. Our living room and kitchen full of little voices asking for snacks.
By the end of day one we found Cooper in the road. The door had been left open.
On day two we installed an alarm system. Locks on the doors and windows. Alerts set to notify us if any door was opened.
We gave the kids rules for Cooper’s safety.
We explained autism. We introduced him to the neighbors. We made it clear that he would never be alone…and if they saw him alone…grab him immediately.
Then something amazing happened. Every child and adult learned Cooper’s name.
They waved. They said hi. They did it even if he didn’t say hi back. If he melted down in the street or driveway they acted like it was no big deal. Suddenly no one stared. Or judged.
The kids in our living room sat near him. If he moved, they moved with him. Curious. Wanting to understand.
They asked him questions. They asked us questions. They were fascinated by his speech device, his dancing and his sounds.
He taught them about autism. And they taught him about the chaos and energy that kids can bring to a house.
And then one day, after a year or so, Cooper started to see them too. When the doorbell rings he gasps and points to the door.
When they come in he waves. Sometimes he even runs to them for a hug or high five.
He asks them for help. He grabs their hands to dance. He joins them at the counter. If they migrate upstairs, he migrates as well. Never joining in, but still sitting near.
No one thinks he is weird. Or odd. He is Cooper. Sawyer’s brother.
When he’s done he’s done. Onto the next thing. But he knows they will be back. These groups of kids. His brother’s friends. It’s amazing really.
But something greater is happening. He is teaching a large group of children and adults about autism.
He is showing the world who he is. These people will go out into our community and schools and grocery stores and they will meet kids and adults like Cooper. And they will understand.
I don’t think it gets any better than that.
I used to feel pressured to hide Cooper. Like his sounds were too loud, his behaviors too disruptive. I was worried about judgement.
I wanted to shield my baby from ignorance. But the truth is, I just hadn’t found the right group of people yet.
Show your kids the world. The world needs to know them.
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