People Treat Her Differently

People Treat Her Differently

I have to share about what happened yesterday! Cait made the dance competition team at her dance studio this year, and I was worried that she wouldn't fit in, but her teammates have truly accepted her! It was their first competition yesterday. On the stage, Cait...

Today Was Rough, But We Walked Away With A Win

Today Was Rough, But We Walked Away With A Win

The school wished to drop all services due to the fact that Lance has enough credits for a general diploma and he will be 18 next year. Lance has 1 more year of school and wishes to pursue an advanced diploma. So here we are in his IEP meeting and they tell us they...

Just Diagnosed

Just Diagnosed

Everything changed at 18 months. First, Luna met all her milestones and never was delayed when she was an infant. I was in the process of changing jobs where I would work more hours, beginning college full-time, and moving and buying a house with my boyfriend, now...

Cole Said a FULL Sentence!

Cole Said a FULL Sentence!

An amazing thing happened today which we don't hear all the time!!!! Cole said a full sentence clear as day: “I want to go home." AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!! May not sound like a big deal but it is SUCH A BIG DEAL!! He says many words but does not always say full sentences....

She Doesn’t Care About Thanksgiving Dinner

She Doesn’t Care About Thanksgiving Dinner

We left the house about 12:50 to walk down to Live Oak Cafe for our 1:00 reservation…that’s where our Thanksgiving dinner story begins, long story short, we still haven’t had dinner.(btw that in no way reflects Live Oak, their dinner was amazing and I look forward to...

Maersk Made My Kid Feel Like a HERO!!

Maersk Made My Kid Feel Like a HERO!!

Maersk Made My Kid Feel Like a HERO!! When we asked Gray what he wanted to be for Halloween, he said it had to be in line with his current interests. Going to the Eastern Shore all the time on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and our days on the beach at the bay he...

The Kindergarten Principal who kicked me out of Public Schools

The Kindergarten Principal who kicked me out of Public Schools

Let's start with me..I was a 4-year-old blond-haired, blue-eyed mess. I was that child….the child teachers rolled their eyes at….hair out of place, messy hand-me-down clothes, free lunch child from the projects, who was always dirty. I was pig-headed, street-savvy,...

Autism Mom Guilt

Autism Mom Guilt

Oh, crap. My son got another array of questionable bug bites. How am I going to send him to school looking like this? How am I going to get away with another unexcused absence without him failing?  😣 He won't stop scratching at them and getting them infected, and CPS...

Temple Grandin ZOOMED with US

Temple Grandin ZOOMED with US

I wanted to say that getting to actually ask Temple Grandson questions was awesome. I have seen several recordings of her speak, but never been able to ask questions. That was really neat. - Stacey Berry, Autism Mom

Not our plan but, hey he’s happy.

Not our plan but, hey he’s happy.

My oldest son, who has been on the fast track since 4th grade has decided he will not be going to college. It's not a definitive "not going" but a not going upon graduation. Am I happy that my child, who fought his way into the gifted cluster (2E), who gained early...

Shout Out from Kempsville Elementary

Shout Out from Kempsville Elementary

https://youtu.be/q3vUZqYedwE Connor rocks. He went from a self-contained special education classroom to graduating early at 16! Yes, he's on the Autism Spectrum, but that did not stop him. It was definitely challenging, but thankfully "Team Connor" was 100% behind him...

Life Lessons – Proud Momma Moment – Meghan Ashburn

Life Lessons – Proud Momma Moment – Meghan Ashburn

Life Lesons - Proud momma moment! (It's a good story, I promise.) I had to visit one of my older boys in the middle school clinic a couple of weeks ago. There was another boy in there who (I assume) was autistic. He seemed to be a frequent flyer in the nurse's station...

Is My 2yr Old Showing Signs of ASD?

Is My 2yr Old Showing Signs of ASD?

I know doctors cannot tell me in the group and can really only tell me to go see a doctor,  lol but I'd love any opinions. Anyone else notice similar things, who's best to go to that will actually take me seriously? He's always chewed on everything but most recently...

Tell Me Your Story with Gina Montanez

Tell Me Your Story with Gina Montanez

Meltdowns were out of this world. Totally isolated,tried daycare....but, the twins were not welcomed back. There is not a lot of grace, empathy, or basic kindness for people who are just different. Tools she has given her kids include decompressing and down time. It...

Lance – A Survivor – And He Scripts in His Head

Lance – A Survivor – And He Scripts in His Head

Lance came into this world at 32 weeks and weighing in at just 5lbs. Within 24 hours he dropped to 4lbs but after just 1 week we took our tiny baby home. He didn't eat solids until he was 3 due to swallowing issues and didn't walk until 4. He was nonverbal until 4 1/2...

Today was one of those days I live for – Izzy being Izzy

Today was one of those days I live for – Izzy being Izzy

What a beautiful day! Life is always stressful in September because Theresa is so busy with work, end-of-fiscal year projects closing, and new ones to bid for, yada, yada, yada. This year is so much more than most. COVID-19 has changed life as we know it. Having to...

Rewinding the Clock

Rewinding the Clock

Both were born preemies. With my firstborn, I was hospital bound from 28 weeks till my blood pressure dropped and his heart rate skyrocketed at 33 weeks (6lbs). 1st emergency c-section. Afterward, he was in the NICU fighting some pretty rough medical issues for 4...

My Son Said Stuff Happens….#rockstar

My Son Said Stuff Happens….#rockstar

Today gave me a view at how much our 10 year old son has changed since he was diagnosed on the spectrum. Today gave me a view at how much our 10 year old son has changed since he was diagnosed on the spectrum. We had some bad news that none of us were happy about (...

My Son Helped Me for the First Time Ever

My Son Helped Me for the First Time Ever

For the first time ever my 6.5 yr old helped me vacuum (while wearing his noise-canceling headphones). Every time I vacuum he runs to another room shuts the door and hides under a blanket. It was just an area rug but he earned 50 cents for his "chore". So proud of my...

I’m Not a Teacher

I’m Not a Teacher

I’m not a teacher. I don’t have a child in a public school at the moment. But, why can’t lessons be pre recorded and homework given appropriately? My full time working friends and friends with special needs kiddos are pulling their hair out trying to keep their kids...

My Students are Thriving in Virtual Learning

My Students are Thriving in Virtual Learning

Seventy-five percent of my students are thriving in virtual learning. One went from not knowing any of his letter sounds in May to reading his first list of dolche primer words. My kiddos are able to log into their own applications. One even screen shared his Lexia...

They Showed Us The World

They Showed Us The World

As a kid, my parents always took us on tons of road trips. They loved to explore new places and because we moved every 2 years, we saw incredible cities with famous winding roads, mountains that had awesome snow tubing trails, lakes that we learned to ski on, streams...

Nothing Makes Me Feel More Inadequate Than Family Day

Nothing Makes Me Feel More Inadequate Than Family Day

I LOVE Bethany’s school. However, nothing makes me feel more inadequate than family day. Where we sit in each of their classes and the teachers tell me about the incredibly advanced math, science, and technology they’re using and then the other parents engage in...

I NEED A BEST FRIEND – NOW

I NEED A BEST FRIEND – NOW

I need a best friend lol! So if anyone else needs a bestie I’m available   I’m almost 32 and I have two kids. My three year old, Logan, has ASD and I have a chunky little 9-month-old, Lilly.   My hubby is Navy and I’m a registered nurse. I work Friday through Monday....

He Said HI to ME!!!

He Said HI to ME!!!

He SAID HI to ME!!! Zachary lost all his language at 12 months. Working with him nonstop we were slowly gaining words, but we experienced another regression at 18 months- it was as if the slate was wiped clean. Over the past 2 weeks we’ve been getting words here and...

Magical Moments in the POOL

Magical Moments in the POOL

I had the opportunity to spread some autism awareness last night, with some of the big philanthropists in the Hampton Roads area. The theme was "Magical Moments." "You see, one of the things that stuck with me the most from my readings shortly after my son’s...

She Makes Me Happy

She Makes Me Happy

Y’all can I just tell you how this makes my heart happy. She didn’t walk till she was 18 months and has been in PT since she was three for weak muscle tone, gait issues and poor motor skills. They even thought she may have CP, thankfully she does not. She doesn’t let...

Soccer with Eliza Hope ROCKED!!!

Soccer with Eliza Hope ROCKED!!!

Soccer with Eliza Hope ROCKED!Today was our first day with Eliza Hope's soccer group. It started rough but after about 5 minutes or so he joined in. I can’t even explain what a fantastic group I found!!!!! It was AMAZING. There was a mom squatted down hugging her...

Favorites

New: Autism Family Photo Sessions

Spectrum is now offering family photos in an...

Sports for Autistic Kids in Hampton Roads?

There are a ton of sports for autistic kids in...

You’ll Love This!

Help! Who else is feeling antsy? Like spring...

Featured Upcoming Events – STOKED!

January 21, 2022 Monster Jam More information...

Flapping Happy! New Events!

In-Progress Ice Cold Front Sk8 "The Chill...

Autism Meltdowns & Artwork = Help ❤️

Kids are terrified and having extreme meltdowns,...

Stop EVERY TIME for Ice Cream 😍

While they're young, collect precious moments....