A person’s upbringing can explain a lot about their views, values and perspectives regarding every situation or difficulty they encounter. We each gather various life lessons and personality traits along the way which impacts every decision we make and how we choose to parent our children. When I reflect back on my own childhood experiences,…
Have you ever purchased a very challenging jigsaw puzzle just for the sheer joy and feeling of accomplishment you’ll get once you’ve successfully assembled it? The larger the quantity of pieces the better right? As I stare at those 5,000 pieces dumped onto my counter top and begin sorting and flipping them over, it becomes…
As an obsessive rule follower and box checker, I took great pride in following that life cycle and enjoying the anticipated rites of passage into adulthood – specifically motherhood. However, we are never truly prepared for the curve balls thrown directly at our heads the force us to figure out how to cope with an…
Whether currently, or at one time or another in our lives, I think most of us have experienced the feeling of not having control in a situation, or not knowing what to do, or what is the best decision to make. Perhaps you’ve felt helpless, emotionally overwhelmed or as if you just couldn’t stand one…
In a world in which siblings are typically our first playmates and our best friends, siblings of special-needs children are destined for a different childhood from what most kids experience. During their toddler years, I remember watching my neurotypical daughter, Kendall, attempt to initiate playtime with her older brother, Skyler, who has severe autism. It…
I used to think it was selfish to want time away from everything and everyone. How could I possibly justify dropping my responsibilities as a wife, mother of a special-needs child and employee for 30 minutes or an hour to refresh and recharge. The internal battles and justifications of why I couldn’t and shouldn’t break…
I must finally admit to myself and the world that I’m tired. Physically and mentally exhausted. For the last 15 years of my 17-year-old son’s life, autism has dictated the mood, comfort, décor (or lack thereof) and decibel level of our home. Severe, non-verbal autism has robbed my son of the ability to communicate effectively…
I cannot believe how quickly the last seventeen years has flown by. When I glance over at you, intently focused on the television screen with unshaven stubble presently on your face, I can vividly picture my adorable, chubby cheeked toddler. I remember every minute of each therapy session you tolerated multiple days a week like…
In the Fall of 2002, I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I was elated and spent the entire pregnancy planning and preparing for the next 18 years of my new son’s life – unaware that none of those plans would come to fruition. After three long years of medical issues, unmet…
We all to one extent or another face difficult times. We have had to learn how to navigate through challenging situations and go on with our lives… some people seemingly have the ability to manage this better than others. Lessons Being A Mom to An Autistic Child Has Taught Me As a caregiver and parent…