World Autism Awareness Day is TODAY!!
This is an important day for my family, as we have been living with Autism for 4 1/2 years.
The statistics are on the rise… but for us we take these days one day at a time.
Autism has been a learning and spiritual experience in life.
As many have said to us throughout the years, “God only gives you what you can handle.”
This is the story of my son……
Mason had developed normally through all of his milestones, but is on the Autism Spectrum.
At 18 months my vibrant and talkative boy stopped talking.
Instead of words, he began to screech and throwing screaming fits when trying to communicate.
My doctor at the time thought it was a phase and that we would revisit again at 2 years, 2 months.
Since he was previously tracking well developmentally, it was not a red flag.
We could no longer go to public places without him having a screaming tantrum.
The thought of going places outside of the house caused me to have some anxiety,
but I knew if would be best for us to continue our routines.
Thankfully, the help and advice I was seeking came from a new mommy friend,
{which happened to be speech and language pathologist}.
She said that Mason needed help outside of her professional realm
and gave me information about The Regional Center.
It was a process and we had come to find that there is a very small window
to receive help through these services.
The journey that it took to get the services in place was a bit of work but
a plan was coordinated to help Mason.
They recommended an Applied Behavioral Analysis program in which
the work would be to stop his screaming behavior and reward him if he used his words.
The Regional Center worked with us up until the age of 3 and it then his file
was turned over to the local school district.
He has grown significantly over those three years.
We attribute his growth to our “heroes of autism.”
These heroes are his team of educators, aides, IBI (ABA) social group therapists, and
his occupational therapists.
They decode the mystery of autism and help us to find solutions that can help
Mason’s little spirit when he is trying hard to connect when his brain is not allowing it to happen.
They know when to catch him before he gets too frustrated and gives up.
His team has taught us ways to implement some of these therapies into his everyday routines.
Mason is our Champion.
He is brave, fearless, dynamic, smart, and funny.
He is our inspiration of hope.
Mason’s persistent attitude towards friends and schoolwork reflect the individual he is
growing up to be.
He keeps “truckin” even when a day may not be as good as the last, or maybe he
was unable to capture the attention of a playmate with his communication skills.
He floors me, as a mother, with the obstacles he faces and his ability {at times} to shake situations
off and move forward with a positive outlook.
Autism is an everyday issue.
I may not be talking about it or telling you the details we deal with,
{as it is always there}.
We know in our hearts that when the unexpected “ups” happen,
they help us to keep going on this continual path of HOPE.
So as my friends and readers, please take a moment on this day to think about
friends, families, or even acquaintances that may be dealing with a loved one with Autism.
They need your support……..
Here are a couple foundations and causes that are dear to me.
They are wonderful resources for those seeking helping with Autism.
Fearless Kid ACTivists
One Hope Run-ACT Today!
Autism Speaks
CARD-Center for Autism and Related Disorders
Karate for All
Surfers Healing
Sara and I plan on showing our support today by wearing blue, as well as, raising funds with
our Stella and Dot online trunk show. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit Autism.
Let’s Light up Blue Today! And celebrate all who are on this journey….
Thanks for sharing this. As a mother to an autistic son, I fully appreciate the struggle. It takes a village to raise a child—thank goodness for the wonderful village of support for ASD.
Thanks Rachel for reading this. I appreciate the support. Thanks for “getting it”, it does take a village. Hope your son is doing well. How old is he? I am sure you are doing a great job mama! Best wishes to you as well!
Your path with Mason is eerily familiar to mine with Jonathan. He’s now 14. It’s been a looooong road. My SIL was an ABA therapist when he was just turning 2 and she was able to point us directly to the Regional Center when we started to ask questions and not get any answer. We have done every type of therapy, diet, treatment you can think of over the last 12 years. You are right- it is an every day thing. There are days that I curse it because it’s just so.dang.hard. And then there are days that I am so grateful to have the “a word” (as I call it) in my life b/c it’s taught me so much. I always love my J- he is special to the core. I just don’t love the cloud of autism at all times. Thinking of you Nicole! From one autism momma to another. xo
Thanks so much Mique for your kind comment, it means a lot to mean. Actually yesterday was a long day. We had a meeting with our new neurologist oddly enough we scheduled our appointment for yesterday. Yes you know so much from dealing with it daily. It’s a constant worry, but I have been blessed as it has changed our life for the better in many ways. I am so glad it sounds like Jonathan is doing well. And it is so dang hard, but I guess it does make us stronger. So glad that the right people were in life at the right time too. Hang in there and continue to be a strong momma for your son. You are doing a great job! Thinking of you as well!
thank you for sharing this link with me….thinking of your son and you today! xoxo
Thanks Tonya,
Thinking of you. Please let me know if I can help with any references etc. Lot’s of hugs to you right now.
Sincerely,
Nicole
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