Special Needs Parenting- Autism, ADHD, Anxiety
Whether you choose to wear red, or light it up blue.
I’m posting this picture just for you.
Remember this boy, his face, his smile.
Please tell me you would go the extra mile.
To offer a wave, a hug, and love.
This boy of mine was sent from above.
To show the world, you and me.
Just how amazing being him can be.
Written by Nikki Wallace
I remember the first time a friend of the family suggested to me that my son was possibly autistic. We was visiting my uncle Joe, Aydan would have been almost 3 and a half at this time. We was all gathered in the living room sipping coffee while my son repeatedly climbed their stairs, happily flapping and humming.
Nonchalantly she says, “Have you had him evaluated for autism?
The whole room went silent, and all eyes were on me. I could feel my face getting hot. My body’s defense mechanism when I am anxious or embarrassed.
Autism? No… I don’t even know what that is, I replied.
Oh, she spoke slow and soft now. Well it might be a good idea to get him tested. Then she stood up, walked her cup to the kitchen, said her goodbyes and she left.
The conversation over as quickly as it started.
Autism.
What is autism? Why would he need an evaluation? Is it bad? Is he sick? Is something wrong with him?
I felt nauseous.
I looked over at my boy, my almost four year old bouncing up and down the stairs. Did she say that because he doesn’t talk yet? Because he’s not potty trained yet and still requires diaper changes?
How can she look at my beautiful boy for a whole fifteen minutes and make an assumption like that?!
I left feeling lost and defeated. I went home and googled autism.
Now the search results for autism seven years ago is a lot different than what you will find today.
I was lost, scared and overwhelmed. Almost a month later, Aydan was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder level 3. I walked out of Nationwide Children’s Hospital feeling just as defeated as I did that day. We were given a diagnoses and sent on our way.
A few months later as I mindlessly scrolled through social media, I came across a video of a Mom in her car, recalling a time that her autistic son was struggling. I watched in awe as this woman told her story, and I couldn’t believe the similarity of our lives.
What’s the word… Parallel lives. That’s it.
Finally.
Finally I had found someone else sitting in the dark.
I clung to this woman, waiting every day for her posts and videos. I craved a sense of “normalcy” that I felt when I watched her and her beautiful son. I commented on every single one of her posts, trying to form a link of communication between us. I needed this family in my life.
I needed to find my tribe. My people.
And I did.
This woman, has become one of my dearest friends. One of my closest allies, and an amazing advocate. I am very proud to know her.
If I can give you one piece of advice, be that light for someone.
“And if you cannot find your way out of the darkness, I will sit with you and show you the stars. – N.R. Hart
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This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.
You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.
Why do this?
The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.
To help you get started, here are a few questions:
You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.
Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.
When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.
This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.
You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.
Why do this?
The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.
To help you get started, here are a few questions:
You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.
Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.
When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.
Adventures with Aydan