My sweet boy, Today is your birthday. You are growing up. I think most parents would say, ‘where has the time gone?’ I don’t feel that way pal. I remember every single moment. Every high and low. Every regression and every victory. I feel like I can remember every sleepless night. I think about the hours I spent rocking you in the recliner and pacing around the living room. I can even vividly remember being a new mom and crying at the side of your crib because you didn’t sleep.…
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When I think about my life with autism and motherhood, I like to believe that I take chaos in stride. I try to find joy and approach most struggles with optimism. That’s just me. And honestly, the only way I can survive with my sanity. In saying all that, sometimes it all gets to be too much. Lately, I feel like I am waving the white flag. Surgeries, birthday parties, Pink Eye, pee, messes, snow pants, dogs, jobs, and overall feeling like crap is taking it’s toll on this mama.…
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A few weeks ago I received a comment on one of my videos that said, ‘When you talk about your son it seems like you are describing two different children. Is he high functioning or severe? Which one is it? Is he loving and sweet or exhausting and violent? Your videos are hard to watch because you are always jumping back and forth.’ I had to laugh. This woman had perfectly described the emotional roller coaster that is autism. Not only do I feel like I am describing different children…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Elizabeth North and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) I am writing in honor of Miss Toni, my daughter’s unassigned personal aide in school. She has taken on more than one could ever expect for a personal aide. She does not just care about programs, ABA and her academic success, but instead cares about her emotional growth and loves her like her own child. In 2016, my daughter Seraphina was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Although, I…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Samantha and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This December I would like to honor and thank my Mom and Dad. Without their help with my son I don’t know what I would do or where my family would be. A little bit about my family…I’m 29 and a single mother of two. My daughter Anissa is nine, absolutely beautiful and hilarious. My son Mason will turn five in December. He is the most handsome and funny little boy ever.…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Ashley Wells and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) Our daughter Lenorah is 4 years old. She has Autism Spectrum Disorder and MERLD (Mixed Expressive Receptive Language Disorder). She is a sweet girl with a LARGE village of teachers, therapists, family & friends. We are thankful for everyone in her life, but today we want to recognize her ABA therapy provider: Integrity Behavioral Solutions. We would like to honor the entire company, because every team member contributes to her success…
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I wanted to give an update about Cooper’s birthday party! Overall, it went great. He did so well. He spent the majority of time on his Kindle and doing his own thing and after nearly seven years I can honestly say…that’s okay. Birthday parties in the past have been very stressful for Cooper and ultimately very stressful for mom and dad. They were especially hard at age two and three, pre autism diagnosis. Cooper didn’t want to be around people. He didn’t enjoy parties or noise or food or presents…
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I can think of a lot of struggles that Cooper and I have had over the years. He is autistic and nonverbal. That alone is hard. But to this day, one of his biggest struggles was and is getting a haircut. When Cooper was two we visited a local Cost Cutters for his first trim. We put it off forever because we knew it was going to be awful. Cooper hated to sit and be touched by strangers. So, we went very early in the morning and hoped for the…
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(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Judy Young and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) I would like to honor and thank my son’s speech therapist, Danielle Cupryk-Novascone and his occupational therapist, Julie Morrow. I couldn’t pick just one of them. They’re a team! A bit about our family and our autism journey. My name is Judy Young. My husband, Bill Young, and I live in Independence, Missouri, with our six year old Billy. Billy was diagnosed with Autism in April. His social and language delays…
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I had dinner with an old friend a few weeks ago and inevitably the conversation turned to autism and grief. It always does. My world is autism. The crazy roller coaster that it is. Over a much needed glass of wine I told her about the roller coaster of my life. I always preface by saying, it’s a lot. I swear I’m not exaggerating. I told her all about Cooper’s wins lately. I told her about his new autism center and how we are done with public education and emphasized…
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