How do you ask the right questions when you don’t even know the questions to ask in the first place? Or when you don’t even know to question at all? This is a really hard dilemma that many people have been faced with. In my opinion, the toughest part about it is that often times you don’t even know you’re in the midst of the situation, when you’re definitely in the midst of it. Questions and Ignorance Ignorance. It can…
First of all, pretty sweet title – Tenacious D – right!? I have to thank my wonderful wife for that one. A couple months ago she referred to little D as being tenacious, and he really is. Next, we’ve been pretty fortunate as a family to be able to meet our needs throughout the challenges we’ve faced. We have a situation that is unique to us and we make it work to the best of our ability, as most people…
Beyond tantrums and meltdowns, through tunnels of misunderstanding and sleeplessness, on the other side of isolation, there exists the beautiful side of autism. I’m certain nobody experiences it the same but we are fortunate enough to get views of it, probably more often than many. I’ll often hear or read the phrase “and then autism reared its ugly head…” It’s used in many different lights and contexts, but overwhelmingly it conveys something misunderstood, difficult, and largely undesirable unexpectedly surfacing. I…
Mother’s Day, 2018 Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy! This is a pretty interesting world we’re growing up in right now, isn’t it? We have the sum total of the world’s knowledge at our fingertips, accessible, literally with a swipe or two. We have the privilege of growing up having access to it every single day. There are crises left and right that dominate the news headlines. We have science being shunned, we have special interests that pump their money to perpetuate…
It’s one of the first thing I thought about when I found out I was going to be a parent: “What does the future hold?” It’s such a broad question and one that my mind has a tendency to run with if given the opportunity. Right away I remember myself thinking about the limitless possibilities and infinite potential of our child. What would our son be like? Would he share in my or my wife’s interests? In which areas would…
As I write this, D is coming up on four and a half and S is fast approaching two and a half years old. It’s not so much the actual numbers of their ages that are important but more so the development they each have achieved along the way. We have known since S was born that at some point it would be very likely that certain aspects of the boys’ development would be at a parity. It seems as…
I will often read or hear that when your child receives an autism diagnosis it is like being punched in the stomach. All the air leaves your lungs, you can’t take a breath, your vision tunnels and you break out in a cold sweat. Truth be told, when D was officially diagnosed, it was nothing like that for us. You see, by the time he was medically considered on the spectrum, we had been receiving pretty intensive intervention for some…
D didn’t used to be too particular about his clothes and shoes. With clothing, he still isn’t. Luckily he has a Mom who is very fashionable and runs a children’s consignment business so he’ll never have to worry about comfortable clothing that also looks fantastic. (Neither will I, which I appreciate.) D’s Autism And Shoes The exception to D’s willingness to be a four year old fashion icon is when it comes to his shoes. He’ll wear short sleeve shirts,…
What’s cuter than getting your child’s picture taken with Santa and having it be a smiling, happy, magical moment? Getting your child’s picture taken with Santa and having it be terrifying and filled with screams and tears. I’ve always loved both versions of Santa pictures. They’ve both got their merits and they’re both endearing. I’m sure Santa gets it, he sees each scenario regularly. Santa Helped Us With Autism Christmas season, 2014, my wife and I decided to take D…
To my boys: It’s December. When I was a little boy I remember December being absolutely magical as it’s the month that houses both Christmas and my birthday. I recall the days leading up to the festivities, being excited and feeling the building anticipation. The snow on the ground, the Christmas decorations and potential school closings would add to the sense of wonder that surrounded the whole season. “Would I get to shovel snow in the morning?” That was seriously…