When my daughter Sloane was first diagnosed with autism, I jumped both feet in the water trying to get her every resource that was available to her and arm myself with as much knowledge as I could to help her have the best the care, therapy and life that I could provide her. I also wanted to get perspectives from other parents with children with autism and learn from their journeys. And through the years, I continue to seek out advice and read stories from other parents of children with…
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To my big brother and my angel, We are surrounded by your memory daily. Even more so now as I go through my RBT (registered behavior technician) training trying to figure out what interventions we could have done if you were still with us. So many what ifs & could haves. The fact of the matter is, you were diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome only a few years before your passing. Our family didn’t know what Asperger’s or autism was or even that something like this existed until you were in…
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I read what you said, how special-needs kids should be kept at home instead of going back to school this fall. “Let’s just keep these kids at home and when this passes they can come back to school. Do you really think they’ll be any different after a year of staying home with their parents?” After that you used a very ugly r-word but I am not going to repeat that quote because honestly, what’s the point? It only makes me feel angry, and raw, and defeated. I don’t usually…
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What I wish I knew when I first started out on this path… Early intervention can never hurt your child, it can only help. If your child is just a late talker, great – a little speech can never hurt. Get the evaluation. Pediatricians plays down your concerns, but your instincts are screaming at you. Get the evaluation. Family and friends are gently giving you cues, but you are in denial and yes angry. Get the evaluation. You are afraid of your child being officially labeled, except they are being…
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A Colorado Kindergarten teacher allegedly said the following on social media: I’m so tired of hearing about special needs children…They were re****** before COVID and they’ll still be re****** after…Do you really think they will be any different after staying a year at home with their parents…Sorry, you f***** got pregnant and had a re****** kid. Your problem not mine. And yes, I’m a f****** teacher. Of course, this is despicable. The school board is moving towards dismissing him. Still, special needs parents are posting the story. Why? Because it…
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Mommas, that fear you’re feeling right now. That fear of the unknown and not knowing what is going to happen to your school-aged child. Of not knowing what is best or the right answer. Of not knowing how programs and best-laid plans are going to play out. That awful sinking feeling of dread. That feeling is the feeling most special need parents feel every year at the IEP meeting and every start of every new school year. That feeling is constant for special need parents. In addition, that feeling of…
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Every night you fall asleep wrapped up in your favorite teddy bear. Tonight, was no different. You snuggled into the bear that is larger than you, wrapped yourself in blankets, and awaited your bedtime stories. We read 3 bedtime stories every night. You usually push for more, but tonight you were fast asleep before I even finished the second book. You do not fall asleep during the stories a lot, but when you do it is always my favorite. I stay a few extra minutes to soak in every ounce…
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“Dear Amy, I know you’re feeling pretty bad right now. The other kids make fun of you a lot, and you don’t know why. You’re trying really hard to be friends with them–doing all of the things you think they want you to do, and it’s just not working. But there is one thing you should know: It’s not your fault. Other people might say that, and you won’t be able to listen to them; but I am hoping that you will if it’s coming from me. It’s not your fault. Say it over…
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One green, green day, the Lord looked upon the world. He admired his sons and his daughters. He smiled at all of the wonderful animals, and he gazed tenderly at each new baby. The round blue earth, with all of its people and puppies and flowers and trees, seemed complete. But the Lord was not so sure. He thought about it for a while, and then he said to himself, I am not done yet. I need someone who is a little different. Let there be a boy, he said,…
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NO. One of the smallest words in the English language with the most power. Such a small word. Sometimes it’s the first word you learn. As an adult, it’s easy, short, authoritarian. Many times you don’t even have to explain it. When I became a mom, I knew this word would become important. I knew it would be challenged by young minds. I knew as my kids became teenagers, it would become even more important. I never really gave it much thought, never really paid attention to the power and disappointment…
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