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
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
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!
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
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!! 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
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
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...
Are Milestones A Colossal Fail For Autism Families?
His First Words, And How It Healed My Soul
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
I am grateful….and to those who continued to encourage me, friends and family, THANK YOU!
Suzi-I want to thank you for being my beacon, when I was lost (I was so lost) and didn't really know where to go. Izzy was banging her head, waking at night, Alan and I were taking turns taking off from work just to sleep, izzy was on the third antibiotic, YOUR post...
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
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 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?
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
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...
I’ve been beaten. I’m tired of fighting. I can’t do 1 more IEP.
I can’t do 1 more IEP meeting because it won’t make a difference. I’m sharing this story for the newbies. I grew up here, went to school here, and fought a good 17 years for my kids - here. I never thought I would be that mom to homeschool. Elementary school was...
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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!!! 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
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
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!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...
I’m done! I can’t take anymore! – Says the 3rd grader with Autism
I could not be any prouder of my kiddo. Yesterday, he was upset about a bus incidence and said, "I'm done." He went onto say, "Most of the time, I try to let it go. I will look out the window and think of other things. But, I've had enough. I can't take anymore. I'm...
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