Hello all..
It's Autism awareness month. This time of year brings lots of stories on the news, facebook, twitter...some are just emails from organizations. It's kinda weird because I deal with Autism everyday but because it's in my face more, I think about it so much more than I realize when it's not. That sounds weird BUT I already know Autism daily...the in your face stuff just makes you think even more about it.
Autism is something you have to deal with daily. It's new everyday! And honestly, that's the way the brain works for some Autistic children.
JB has a big IEP (individualized education plan) this week. It's part of his three year evaluation. He has one every year where we report on progress but this one is big...his testing puts him up against the norm. It's scary because this is when your ideas and hopes get questioned...."what if this, what if that, is he able to, will he or won't he...." Sometimes in these things I feel like I am in a fog. It's a little crazy and in some ways something I just cannot explain.
In my line of work (teaching), I know where my son is educationally...but the mom side conflicts with my professional side.....it's this big ball of nerves and a fight within myself. I know but I don't know and...honestly, I sometimes just do not want to know because knowing really hurts. I am human, it's my kid. You do not want to hear that your child struggles at all....but yet, I know! You would think I would be okay with it but no....I am not. It still hurts!
Hurt....Autism is hard, it hurts....it's hard. Damn it's hard enough as it is. I don't want or need anyone to tell me more about it....but it is necessary so we can plan together (parent and school) as a team and move JB forward. That's the only way he will progress...
And so...it's Autism Awareness Month! My hope for this month really is that people will take the time to see....to understand how lovely people are--disability or not! JB is special and my family is so blessed. We accept him as he is....I hope you will too!
TTFN,
Martha
