It's beyond emotional.....

 Hello all......

I am back.....and have a lot on my mind.  This week was beyond stressful as JB had his annual meeting to discuss goals and progress at school.  I don't know if people truly understand how hard it is as a parent to hear how hard things are for their kid....I also feel like my previous experiences with these meetings have not been fun.  Yes, they had good things to say but....there were also bad things.  Now, don't get me wrong....I don't think they meant for it to sound bad at all but in the grand scheme of things, my boy was not happy at his previous school and neither was I.  It just was not the right fit....

The school he is at now is amazing.  It's a non-public and they are more capable of handling behaviors that hinder JB from being a student in a general ed setting.  He is having experiences that are necessary.....for example, he has gone to McDonald's to buy a shake.  It sounds so simple but a necessary skill needed to live life.  You buy something, it costs money, and you might need change.  He has had an opportunity to star in a school play and will be telling jokes in the school talent show.  He is the JB I know and a JB that his previous school did not get to see.....which bums me out!

So, when this meeting came about I was very nervous.  I was afraid to walk into a meeting where everything would be a drag.  Instead, to my amazement, it was completely different than I thought.  I spent hours before with knots in my stomach...so worried that we would all be on different pages.  Instead, we all agreed that his now school is really the right fit, what he needs...because although he has made great strides in academics, his behavior is still holding him back.  There are still goals he needs to work on.  And we all know that early intervention is key to successes later on....I walked away from this meeting thinking, "Wow!"  That was nice! All my anxieties were gone...

I think there are so many pieces that a family with a child who has a disability has to take on.....For me, Autism is a daily process.  What people don't know is that we are constantly doing something.....therapy 3 days a week (one of those days being a social group that we have to drive to), parent meetings with the ABA company, my own goals for the ABA company, school meetings......and then there is just everyday life.  Things we adults have to do on a regular basis....like go to the grocery store, clean house, work, etc.  The list could really go on forever!  There are other people you have to think about as well....making sure siblings are getting what they need.  It's a lot! 

Today's post for me, is important.  It's important that parents feel like they are part of a team that is working for the success of their child.  You want to hear that your child is successful, even though there still may be work ahead.  You want to know that people love and care....that needs to come across in all facets, not just the school environment.  Sometimes the simplest thing can change the perspective of a parent who is struggling to see the light.....one positive step is a giant leap and means the world to people like me!

TTFN
Martha

TODAY IS......

Hi all....

Today is.......

EMOTIONAL!

It's World Autism Awareness day and my emotions are running high.  I guess it's because there are tons of stories on the news and on the internet.  Of course, I read them all.  It's just what I do.  But for me, today is emotional for many reasons.  For me, Autism is 365.  It's not something that ever goes away.

I want this month to be about building acceptance.  I feel like a cure is the last thing to worry about because Autism is not the same for every child.  I have said it before and I will say it again.....if you have met one kid with autism then you have met ONE KID with autism.  It's different for every child.

We have to build a culture of acceptance and understanding.  A kid with a tantrum may not be bad parenting.  It may be a child on sensory overload.....those are hard days, tough on everyone.  And you do all you can to help but it may take a while and what you do may not feel like enough.  It never does.

Don't let April be the only month you are aware.  They need your help and so do their families......For me, I would not have my kid any other way.  JB is so fun and loving.....but yes there are challenges.  And I will fight everyday to overcome those challenges because THAT is what love is!

TTFN,

Martha