My daughter’s Educational Aide told me today that Hayden made a new friend; that friend was you. I was told that you had been curiously eyeballing her for the last few days of preschool and that you made the decision to come over and introduce yourself. I’m sorry if you had a hard time understanding why she didn’t say hello back, or that she didn’t make eye contact with you; those are things that are difficult for her right now. From what I was told though, you didn’t seem to…
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Are you a parent? Have your children ever been out to play themselves, played alone in their room, had a sleepover, went out with a relative? For me none of these things are possible. My son is severely autistic. He is ten years old but still fully incontinent and has no spoken language. He is developmentally around the age of 12 months and he needs round the clock care. He doesn’t have friends to play with either in his own home or elsewhere. There’s no sleepovers in his world, or…
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Often I read real life stories of what life is like for parents of children with Autism. As a teacher who works with children with AU, I would like to say I am here for them too. To the parents that trust me with their most prized possession for 6-8 hours a day I am grateful to you. I am grateful that you trust me, that you support me, that you can see when progress is made (and when it is not, because that is even more important). I wake…
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I almost regularly remind my kids that they can do anything they set their minds to. I’m mindful of how important it is to help grow their confidence. Giving them challenges is good, but I also like to help them build on their strengths. This becomes even more important when it involves my daughter. It’s a fine line I walk every day. Do I push her a bit more because it’s something I know she could be better at or do I sit back and let her only put a…
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As a therapist who primarily works with special needs children and their families, I often hear the same statement over and over again by distraught parents: “It’s my fault. I caused my child’s disabilities, etc.,.” Each and every time I hear this statement, a part of me cringes inside while the other part of me wants to jump up and give this perplexed parent the biggest hug of their lives. I also want to shout right back to them the answer that maybe they’re not ready to hear: “No, you…
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Hey friend, It’s been a while. A few years to be exact. I know you are still married. Kids are good. I see you travel a lot. And you love your job. You are always doing something. Funny, I don’t recognize any of the faces in your photos anymore. Anyhow, I wanted to reach out and say a few things. Clear the air I guess. We are both grown women. We are mature. We’ve both come a long way. So, I think it’s time. I know that Cooper’s diagnosis made…
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Oh it’s the dreaded cycle again. My son you were doing so well just yesterday. Then today you wake up and our nemesis is back. I hope you know I really dislike you! You take away my sons smile and give him tears. You take away his appetite and give him belly aches. You take away is sleep and give him anxiety. You take away his health and give him illnesses. You take away his school/friends and give him inclusion. You take away is laughter and give him meltdowns. Sometimes…
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There is a stigma that comes with medication. An infamy that fills us with fear, guilt, and avoidance. I am the first to admit that I explored every possible avenue. Prescription drugs weren’t even up for discussion when it came to our daughter. The first person who offered my child medication was a neurologist. He told me she needed to calm down and offered a small dose of Clonidine. But I declined. Why would I medicate a 2-year-old? Then, an interim psychiatrist who did a full evaluation that we needed…
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One of the most helpless times for me as a mom is when my son is having a meltdown publicly. My attention and focus turn 100% to him. I drop what I am doing. Quite literally. If I am holding a purse or a coffee I drop it. My son is a runner so I know that I need to chase him. Until he falls to the ground. And then I have to try and keep his head safe, and get him outside. I try to do this with minimal…
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Hey Lady! It’s me…You! Weird I know, but listen up Buttercup because I have some important things to tell you. You’re leaving the NICU today after the longest 143 days of your life, but you already know this might not be the end of the ‘hospital life,’ and you’re right. I’m going to let you in on a little secret though…Carter will be physically okay! You’ll have some bumps in the road but nothing as major as the surgeries he endured in the NICU. I promise. You’ll find the perfect…
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