The Therapists Who Take Care of Us

I have always been the caregiver.

When I was little, it was for my younger sister. When I met my husband, it was for him, and still is.

When we got pregnant with mason, it just came naturally.

I went to every doctors appointment, took my prenatal vitamins, tried to eat healthy.

I continued to work out and took care of myself, for my buddy that was growing bigger by the day.

When he was born, he was perfect.

The first time I saw him he looked exactly how I pictured him in my head, even before we met I feel like that’s what I envisioned him to look like…

Chubby cheeks and sweet eyes.

We came home from the hospital and he never slept. We rocked him, walked him, woke up with him every 2 hours to the minute.

My parents helped us take turns driving him around our neighborhood, because it was the only time he would sleep.

Because he didn’t sleep, We didn’t sleep.

I was exhausted and overwhelmed with my new life.

I loved him so much, but was so stressed, and so tired.

We finally got into a groove. He started sleeping longer than 2 hours.

Months passed, and he was already turning one. Right before his first birthday, my mother in law asked us if she thought he might need his hearing checked.

“I don’t think he hears us” she said. I instantly went into panic mode.

I made all the medical appointments. Hearing screenings, multiple appointments with his pediatrician.

We did the 18 month well check.

The doctor said if he’s not talking by the next appointment, come back and we’ll talk about early intervention.

I didn’t wait and called anyway.

I was consumed trying to help my son and I had no idea what i was doing.

We had our initial evaluation and he qualified for everything. We started within weeks.

Speech, OT, and developmental each, once a week until he was 3.

We went for our diagnostic appointment at the developmental pediatrician 3 months before his 3rd birthday.

I needed someone to confirm to me that he was autistic. I Knew it before we made the appointment.

I knew it the minute he passed his first hearing screening when he was 1. But I still needed the words to come from a professional.

The appointment was long and tedious and exhausting for all of us. Finally the doctor came in and said what I wanted to hear.

Yes, he is on the spectrum.

I felt so many emotions and I didn’t know what to feel first.

Sadness, happiness that we had an answer, confusion on what to do.

I cried the entire way home. Sobbed. Mason slept in the backseat.

Fast forward to January of this year.

We had been in Pre K in the school district a little over 6 months, and I wanted to try ABA also.

I had heard amazing things and I thought it would be so great for Mason.

We were nervous about the cost, even though our insurance covered it, our deductible was still a lot. But it was important, and he needed it.

We needed it.

We were used to therapists in our home, but every day? It’s a lot.

I really wanted to gel with them and make sure it was people who would love my son as well as teach him all the things he needed.

Insert his amazing RBT’s, Allie and Katie.

These girls are amazing.

Mason was definitely not into having therapy everyday in the beginning, and they eased him into it.

He and our whole family fell in love with them!

He spoke some of his first words after starting ABA, and has just blossomed with more since continuing everyday.

When he pointed at a monkey in a book, and said “Monyey” in Mason words, I cried.

I never thought I would hear him speak a word. And its all because of the work the girls put in with him everyday.

He’s learned his colors, shapes, numbers 1-20 and can verbally say them out loud. He knows animals, actions, and can imitate like a boss.

Sometimes I just sit and think about where we were a year ago, and how much he’s changed and learned and feel like I need to pinch myself.

I never thought we would get to this point. for him to be able to look at his dad and say, dada, makes my heart so happy. And its because of these wonderful therapists that help us and really become part of our family.

And even though I love to take care of everyone and everything, I’m so glad these girls have been here to help take care of my family with me.

Because they also took care of me too.

Written by, Victoria Robins

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Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.