The Air was Filled With Sounds

I just got home from a car ride with my son Cooper.

A rare time where it was just the two of us.

The ride, taking 30 minutes, was joyful.

He showed me an excavator.

An airplane.

And more than a dozen semi trucks.

He moo’d at cows.

Showed me a fire truck on his Kindle screen.

And then tapped his chest, letting me know that he wants to ride a fire truck.

He danced.

And waved.

He giggled at penguins on his screen before showing me how they waddle.

Cooper is 11 years old and we have never had a typical conversation. But what we do have is something I prayed for.

When my son was diagnosed with autism at age 3, and then as nonverbal/nonspeaking shortly after, I spent a lot of time thinking about words.

His words. His thoughts. His feelings and opinions. And what his voice would sound like.

What would he say to me if he could?

And for a lot of years, our car rides were silent. I’d find myself studying his face in the rear view mirror, praying, hoping, and willing him to speak.

As the years went on, we settled into a comfortable silence he and I.

Of course I’d fill the silence with conversation. And ask him questions, pausing for answers that never came.

Today, for 30 minutes, he filled the air with sounds.

The only understandable word to the untrained ear was ‘mom.’

Back and forth we went. Never a quiet second.

Our world is not typical. This autism life is twisty and turny and keeps me on my toes.

But we are figuring it out. Together. He and I.

‘HHH-OOO-MMM-EEE!’

That’s what he said when we turned the corner to our neighborhood. And snapped 30 photos with my phone.

‘Yes buddy. Home.’

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. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and join our supporter page, Coop’s Troops, for an amazing community full of support and understanding.