Posts by Kate Swenson

I’ve learned as I’ve aged that the biggest, most memorable moments of our lives, are often the ones we least expect. Of course a wedding, the birth of our babies, an anniversary, are the best. But other ones sneak in. When you least expect them. A solo car ride with your son. A walk with your aging parent. Staying up way too late drinking wine with your husband. Coffee with a friend. Or when your first born takes it upon himself to decorate for Christmas. Now, I know that may…

Yesterday, I drove my middle son Sawyer to school. He typically rides the bus but he wanted to donate a handful of toys to the toy drive his school was holding so I drove him. ‘The toys go to Children’s Hospital mom.’ He was adamant about bringing presents. As we drove he asked me a zillion questions. As a mom, I’ve learned that some of the best conversations happen in the car. After tell me that he has a project due this week and about something he saw on YouTube,…

When I share our autism story with professionals…teachers, therapists, doctors, nurses, I always say this sentence: Something you have said to a parent about their child, positive or negative, runs through their head on repeat. It’s true. Many have hardened me. Some have lightened the load. We have been told so many things. Your son will never talk, make a friend, or ride a bike. If your son doesn’t have any words by age four than game over. Your son is absolutely amazing! And then this one. One of my…

Parents of kids with disabilities… What is the most difficult, yet important conversation you’ve had around your child’s needs? Maybe it was around medications. Or the decision to have more children. Or to let go of education and focus on daily living skills. For my husband and I, it was around forever. It was grappling with the thought that our son will live on this earth without us. It took us years to be able to sit down and rationally speak about it. In the beginning, I’d bring it up.…

I don’t talk about our challenges associated with autism all that much any more. Some followers assume that life is easier now. Or our son is less autistic. Neither of those things are true. Cooper is still very much significantly affected. But he is also wonderfully supported. We, his family, our friends, his team, we know how to support him. And because of that…he is thriving. We all settled in as I like to say. I’m not afraid to share either. It’s not that. I have my reasons. Ones that…

When your child is diagnosed with autism, at whatever age, you will inevitably seek out as much information as you can about the disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorder. You will read blogs, buy books, watch television shows, join groups, and talk to experts, friends, and family. You want to know everything you can. I will tell you in the beginning, what I saw in books didn’t match my son. What I saw online didn’t either. And the challenges that were supposedly coming our way….everyone was so quick to share those. What…