Watching His World Open Up

People ask me all the time about my son’s first signs of autism.

For some children, it’s textbook. A quick google search returns a lack of or loss of words, struggles with eye contact, and lack of imaginative play.

For other kids, the diagnosis doesn’t come so easy. It’s more complicated. Pages full of questions and checkboxes that parents agonize over. Waiting. Worrying. Wondering.

For us, our sweet boy was born autistic. From the second he was placed in my arms I knew. Maybe not what. But I knew something.

And while that’s not everyone’s story, that’s ours. That’s his.

And the sign that I point to now…well, I never found it in a textbook or in a google search.

For Cooper, it was everything being a no. His world never seemed to grow, only shrink.

It was a no to stacking blocks, to going for a walk or a ride, to playing a game, to participating.

He refused to try foods or visit the zoo or take a ride on the lawn mower.

Until one day, it felt like his world was so tiny and that not a soul remembered him or us.

It was hard. Hard for him.

And for me as a mama, I have never and will never care about having a child who wins the race or scores the winning basket.

I just want my kids to try. Have fun. Be in the world.

Today, at ten years old, my sweet boy joined in with his brothers and friends to go down a slip-n-slide.

He didn’t quite understand the purpose. Or the why. Or the how.

But he very much enjoyed sliding like a penguin and clapping at the end.

It wasn’t a no. It was a…’I’d love to try if you will help me.’ And it was epic. Just like Cooper.

My husband always says…life is about doing stuff. And I agree.

I want my kids to do and see and enjoy it all.

Watching his world open up AND ENJOY has been the most loveliest experience.

Worth the wait.

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.