I talk about many aspects of my son’s and our lives, but I don’t talk about the rest of his family as much as I should. On average there are 10 different people, including ourselves, coming and going in my home in a week. They’ve become family because they are interwoven into my … | Continue reading
I am a mom. I am a special needs mom. I am a wife. A sister. A daughter. An employee. A friend. An advocate. But who am I? Really? Strip away the titles and what is left? What do I enjoy doing when I have alone time? What makes me feel good about myself? What do I feel best weari … | Continue reading
Harper was diagnosed with Autism at age two and we were told by doctors and therapists that keeping a routine would be best to help her learn and succeed. That routine has become so important to Harper. She has a memory like a trap and it’s not just the daily routine that she c … | Continue reading
Saturday was a busy day for our family! My brother and his kids came for the weekend to enjoy trick-or-treating, followed by a Halloween party at our house. Right as we were getting ready to leave the house fir trick-or-treat a blacklight bulb shattered into glassy dust that cove … | Continue reading
One of the biggest fears I have as our eight year old son, Sully, gets older is that people will look into his big green eyes and think that he is violent and that they should be afraid of him. Take a moment and think how that would feel as a parent. You see our son has severe … | Continue reading
About two weeks ago, we were driving home from somewhere, and Benson realized that his birthday is quickly approaching. His first question was, “Where should I have my party?” I answered by asking where did he think would be a good place for a party? He thought on it and suggeste … | Continue reading
The past couple of days have been tough ones. A triple dose of my daughter Casadee’s struggles with socializing and anxiety. We had planned a dinner date with her ‘boyfriend’ and his family so we could give Manny his birthday gift. Casadee had been looking forward to it and talki … | Continue reading
It’s that time of the year again, friends. And I’ve got a lot of feelings. This Halloween, please acknowledge and keep in mind that not all individuals will “look the part” that you’ve dreamt up, fall under the imaginary age bar that you’ve set, or ask verbally for their treat. T … | Continue reading
With Halloween coming up there has been a lot of debate about trick or treating. I have seen a lot of really positive posts making people aware of all different styles of communication and different expectations for trick or treaters. There have also been a lot of negative posts … | Continue reading
As Halloween quickly approaches and you prepare for trick-or-treating with your children, there is one staple item you need for the night — something for them to collect all of the candy! If you are like me, you have taken the quick and easy option: the standard $1 orange pumpkin … | Continue reading
My son Stalen is 7, autistic and non-speaking. He was diagnosed when he was 21 months old. He has a feeding tube and an ileostomy. I’m sharing my hard here as a parent to a child with complex needs but I know that it is hardest of all on him. He lives it every single day. HARD I … | Continue reading
It’s every special needs parents dreaded day at school….PICTURE Every year we buy a nice shirt for Sully, get his hair cut, style it and practice how he is going to smile. We hold our breathes that his hair is still styled and his shirt is disheveled by the time pictures were tak … | Continue reading
Each day I am a little bit stronger. After the drive home from diagnosis day. I am a little bit stronger. After crying all night long about a different future. I am a little bit stronger. After each and every meltdown my child has. I am a little bit stronger. After each appointme … | Continue reading
There are many challenges when a little one can’t speak. Is she sick or tired or just having a rough day or week? What is she thinking or feeling right now? I know there’s more inside, but how do I reach her? How? Will she play and interact with me? Or is she just content flittin … | Continue reading
Measurement – it’s a natural human instinct. We measure time, distance, capacity, success, and achievement. Many forms of measurement I understand; time and distance for example facilitate civilizations’ successful functioning. There are however some forms of measurement that lac … | Continue reading
There are so many things I worry about when it comes to my autistic daughter. Raising a vulnerable child comes with so many fears. Some of these things are things we all worry about. I have four children and I worry about them all. The intensity and degree of worry when it come … | Continue reading
On September 1, 2022, our youngest daughter Lucy was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Almost exactly two years after her big sister, Opal. It may come as a shock to some, but I have tried to talk openly about how we had concerns that Lucy may be autistic too. Lucy and Opal are c … | Continue reading
In life we all go through different seasons. These seasons come and go as time goes on. Sometimes we even live in these seasons without even realizing we are in them. When Charlie was younger we lived through a season of train obsessions. He loved trains to no end and would some … | Continue reading
I really was anxious about the carpool ride that was arranged to get to the More Than a Caregiver Respite Retreat this past weekend. I was desperate to drive, convincing myself that I probably needed five hours each way to decompress. Even that the silence may help me more than … | Continue reading
My husband pulled himself out of bed yesterday morning, quietly pulled his Sunday best from the closet, and went to church while the little man and I slept. We haven’t been to church together since the beginning of our marriage. We haven’t been to church as a family in years. … | Continue reading
I see my child running left to right. With an adult like animal chasing after her–one that once was human–strung by an invisible rope–sweating Big, fat drops of sweat born in a long day of keeping up– To my daughter’s erratic steps. The chime and play of the entire school o … | Continue reading
A week ago, my younger son started playing soccer. My daughter took him to his first practice because I was sick. As I perused the pictures she sent me, it was obvious how much he enjoyed playing. My daughter barely saw him the entire hour he played because he was running around … | Continue reading
“When are you going to get over this?” My husband calmly asked, as I laid in our bed yet again crying. I can’t remember what event involving our son preceded it; Another evaluation, an elopement, an awkward moment at a family gathering or school, maybe it was another long meltdo … | Continue reading
Yesterday, I cried. That’s right, this strong, brave mother who everyone thinks has the answers, cried big ugly crocodile tears. Everything I thought I was doing right was questioned. I went home after yet another meeting for Kyle and went straight to my room, sat on the edge of … | Continue reading
Dear Tired Mama, I see you as we pass each other going for that evening walk with your little one and I with mine trying to burn off that last energy of the day. I see you at the playground pushing your little one on the swing . I see you walking the track with your stroller and … | Continue reading
Dear Parents, It’s that time again- the beginning of a new school year. After the last couple years, I think we’re all ready to get back to some semblance of normal. Most of us prepare children in the usual ways. Open house, new backpacks, clean lunch boxes, lots of forms signed … | Continue reading