This beautiful boy is nonverbal. He has severe autism and a handful of other diagnoses as well. He jumps, flaps and twirls when he’s excited. He lays down on the floor and rolls when he’s upset. He lives for dinosaurs, jumping on the trampoline, baseball and popsicles. He knows exactly what he wants and when he wants it. He just doesn’t always have the tools to express his wants and needs. Zeke hears and understands every single thing that is said to him and about him. He understands when his…
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Many people argue that change is important for growth. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t hard. Throw in having autism, and we’re in a whole new ball park. For kids with autism, there is almost nothing more difficult than change. Ironically, change is pretty much the only thing we can count on in life. So how do we empower kids with autism to face something so consistent, so important, yet so difficult– with confidence? Stick with me, and hopefully you’ll take away a tip or two. Why is Change…
Read MoreWe are slowly, gingerly, timidly, starting to venture out as a family of six. We are cautious though. See, our oldest needs two of us to help him be successful. He likes to run and sit and touch and can often be quite sneaky and fast. Our two year old needs one of us because he’s two and so does our baby. Typically me because I have dinner. And Sawyer can help but he often gets distracted by sticks and candy and forgets to hold hands. Because he’s only 8…
Read MorePeople ask me all the time how they can help. Kind people. Loving people. Strangers. Friends. Family. People on this page. I speak about that out of control feeling that happens when my son starts struggling. When his big feelings about waiting or sitting overwhelm him. Or when the noise is too much and the lights are too bright or he smells something in the air that you and I can’t make out. Maybe we are in line at the grocery store. Or at a park. Or in the paper…
Read MoreWhen you become a parent, and probably even before, you imagine your child’s life. You imagine your own. You have this picture in your head of what it will look like. Scenarios. Highs. Successes. Wins. The beautiful moments. That’s normal. As humans we do that. We daydream. We imagine. When something challenges those images it can be hard. Like really hard. What you thought would be is not. I’m here to tell you that once you step off the path of what you pictured and into the unknown, your life…
Read MoreOn December 9th at approximately 3:42 pm on a Wednesday, you came onto this earth. And since then, my life has ever changed. You might wonder why I’m only writing to you and not Collin. Well, in my heart, I know the past year has been a struggle for you and our family. Sometimes I think we get so caught up in life’s daily to do’s and your brother’s needs that I know you feel forgotten. But this is a letter to you to let you know I do not…
Read MoreIt was a beautiful night for some baseball! Week number two and I’m still blown away by this kid’s progress. Batting, fielding, base running, hugging, and giving high fives. All on point! And to bed immediately when we got 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…
Read MoreYou see the posts, you hear the stories, but you don’t always know how to help….. You don’t have a child with special needs, but your friend or a family member does. You want to do something, but are unsure of where to start. Here are five ideas that have been life-changing for me. 1. Remind her that she’s doing a great job. When she’s in the toughest times she’s doubting her self, she’s wondering if it’s her fault, if she will ever make it through. Reach out, remind her…
Read MoreAs parents, we want to remember everything. Especially the adorable and funny. So here goes… A few days ago we bought our two year old a balance bike from Strider Bikes. He’s a pretty athletic kid and will most likely be riding a bike like his brother Sawyer at age 3. Fun fact, I didn’t learn how to ride a bike until I was 8. I can still remember my parents running alongside me holding onto my seat. Anyhow, for those who don’t know, balance bikes do not have pedals.…
Read MoreHappy Father’s Day to this guy. I’m sure he will second my statement of…’four kids? How did this happen?’ And yet here we are. Four weeks into an adventure like no other. I will say that while we both know that we are blessed beyond our wildest dreams, it also hasn’t been the easiest. And if we’ve learned anything it’s that chaos can happen in a split second. We can be cruising along, doing fine, and then all of sudden everyone is screaming and threats are being made and the…
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