Friday, November 20, 2009

Changing schools, services, everything!

We are moving next week and on top of all the regular moving household challenges people face, I am looking at days and weeks of coordinating Elizabeth's school and therapies in a new place. This really is a daunting task, starting over with such important and delicate relationships in her life. But I am oddly not as freaked out as one would expect. Maybe my family is right, maybe we finally did find the right meds for me :)

I feel confident about knowing what she needs at this point and when and where compromise is appropriate. She will never get all the services she needs, but I can insist that the ones she does receive are effective and positive for her.

Autism Society of America: For Mothers of Children with Autism, Caregiving Life Proves Stressful

Autism Society of America: For Mothers of Children with Autism, Caregiving Life Proves Stressful

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Number 1

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
By Ellen Notbohm

1. I am first and foremost a child.

This one really struck me the moment I read it. I am guilty of looking at Elizabeth as an a-typical child and thus assume in many ways that she has very little in common with typical children. This isn't true. She cares deeply about pleasing her parents, about feeling safe and secure and above all she wants to have fun.
Elizabeth didn't go to school today. They had a field trip and most of the trips are not appropriate for her. Besides, they went to the dairy farm again and Elizabeth went last year. Her favorite part was riding around in the little tram.

With her brother at the babysitter's house, she has had quiet all day long. She loves that. But with just her and I in the house it is too quiet for me. Just a huge reminder that I have yet to interact with my daughter in a conversation. I have not heard a spontaneous "Mommy!" from her lips. And I have no idea what she is thinking when she stares up into the sky for 5 solid minutes. Almost nine years now of changing diapers, trying to keep her from putting things in her mouth, having nightmares about her total lack of awareness of any danger and what I want the most is to hear her speak. Even just once.


P.S. Thanks Kiva <3