“Come back in 2 years…”

I took my oldest son Thomas to a Developmental Pediatrician yesterday.  No official diagnosis.  Yet just last week my youngest was diagnosed as having an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  It’s funny how life is sometimes: Percy actually NEEDED a diagnosis to help him get the special-education preschool services he was being denied.  Thomas needs to NOT get a diagnosis because right now what is best for him is to be with his peers in a normal preschool setting.  But they didn’t say that he was NOT on the Spectrum.

Some good, some bad…

Let’s start with the good, shall we?  My 27-month-old Percy, who was just diagnosed last week with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, just peed on the potty for the first time!!! And it was totally on pupose!  He was concentrating so very hard, it was adorable.  You can thank all the times he has watched his big brother (and almost gotten a faceful!).  I was so happy, I really needed something positive and encouraging.  I screamed so loud that he stopped, though. OOPS! 

3-year-old Thomas has done some really sweet things lately.  Last week while we were in the grocery store I spontaneously hugged him, and he smiled and said, “Awww, I love you Mommy!”  *melt*  Another day when his brother woke up from his nap Thomas said, “There’s Percy!  He’s my favorite brother!  Percy’s my best friend!”  What more could a mother want?

“Barney’s not too loud!”

My family’s one-year membership to our local Children’s Museum expires this weekend.  We have gotten our money’s worth, but I do not think we will renew.  While it has been fun, it has also been a challenging experience to take two children with unique (and polar opposite!) dispositions to such a busy, crowded venue.  The crowds and noise are too much for my oldest, and it is too easy for my youngest to disappear!

I joined the Children’s Museum with grandiose plans for leisurely weekdays spent playing calmly with my children.  After one visit it became apparent that I could NEVER take my two boys, ages 2 and 3.5, by myself.  They always wanted to do different things and it was so easy to lose track of someone.  So much for something new to do on a weekday to help keep us occupied!  I even intended to take little Percy there by himself sometimes while big brother Thomas was in school.  Guess how much that happened?  Zero much.

Another reason why monkeys are BAD BAD BAD

The above is a direct quote from my friend Folkwoman who shared the following headline with me, “Gibbon Quarantined After Biting Helpful Zoo Visitor”.  She knows how I feel about monkeys.  They are evil and cannot be trusted. 

It seems that a Gibbon escaped its enclosure at the zoo and ventured into the parking lot.  When a good Samaritan tried to intervene he got a leg full of teeth for his trouble.  *shudder* 

But hey, it’s all good!  Folkie said they rewarded him for his good deed, “They gave the guy a free membership – hope it’s a lifetime membership!  ‘Oooh so sorry about your leg, would you like to come again for free next time?’ “

You hear THAT Busch Gardens????  FREE membership!  You know what I got when I was attacked by a terrifying fluff ball of evil?  GATORADE! No free dinner, no park passes, not even a keychain.  Oh yeah, I DID get a FREE tetanus shot.  Good times. 

Too bad my little monkey incident happened almost 20 years ago.  These days theme parks are so lawsuit leery they would throw all kinds of free stuff at me!!  Although these days they probably would NOT say, “Hey kids, come pet the monkey!”

“Welcome to Holland” by Emily Perl Kingsley

This was sent to me by my lovely friend Widdle Shamrock.  I think it can speak to any of us who have experienced the shock of realizing our life has not turned out like we planned.   

I adore tulips. 

 

“Welcome to Holland”  by Emily Perl Kingsley 

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability – to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It’s like this…

 

When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip – to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, the Michelangelo David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting.

 

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, “Welcome to Holland.”

 

Diagnosis Autism

Yesterday my two-year old was officially diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum.  I have suspected this for over a year, so in a way this changes nothing.  And everything.

My husband and I chose a specialist at a well-respected Children’s Rehabilitation Center.  The whole way there I was a big bundle of nerves.  At check in I found I had lost my voice, and felt myself choking up when they were asking me simple questions like, “Name?”  I found myself relaxing when we entered the amazing lobby.  A train table, fish tank, dollhouse, leggos, other assorted toys, an ART THERAPY table, and even a Music Therapy teacher playing guitar!  The center treats a wide variety of medical conditions, so some children had physical concerns, others were there for cognitive reasons.  I looked around the room at all the other children, my heart going out to them.  I wanted to scoop them all up into one big hug.  I have always cared a lot about special needs issues.  I felt such a kinship with the other parents, like we were all in this together, in our common crusade for our children.  Some sensed that kinship and returned my smiles, others didn’t make eye contact and seemed alone in their pain.  I prayed that one day they will be in place where they can feel comfortable reaching out for support… but maybe not to strangers.

My son has Autism

I have a child who is on the Autism Spectrum.  My son has just been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  My son is AUTISTIC.  I am writing these words, and though they still feel foreign to me, this is my new reality.  I will write more later when I have had some time to adjust to it.

The Time Has Finally Come

Tomorrow is the day we take our baby to see a Developmental Pediatrician for an official evaluation.  The waiting list was only, oh, four months long.  But we are seeing one of the top specialists in the state, thank you very much.  I just wish insurance could tell me whether or not this will be covered!

My son Percy, who turned 2 in May, has severe speech delays, some sensory integration difficulties, and displays signs of being on the Autism Spectrum.  We struggled as to whether or not to see a Developmental Pediatrician OR a Pediatric Neurologist.  We ended up with the DP because of the group he was in AND we could get a concurrent appointment with a Speech Pathologist.  We have to travel an hour to get there, arrive half an hour early, and will be there until approximately noon.  I am anxious as to how Percy will do in this environment, although I am anticipating it will be exceedingly kid-friendly.  But the last time we had to wait at a Doctor’s office it was meltdown central.  (OH, yeah, did I tell you I thought he might have broken his leg last week? Good times.)

Ban the R Word!

Many people I know use the word “retard” or “retarded” in common speech.  They are good, loving people who are obviously unaware of the reality that this word can inflict great pain when used as slang or an insult.  It has become such a part of common culture that people seem to have stopped thinking about the origins and connotations of the word.  Maybe they think that since it is so commonplace now it has stopped being offensive or hurtful.  They are wrong. 

I Wonder about “Tropic Thunder”

To see or not to see?  That is the question many are asking about the new movie “Tropic Thunder”.  In this movie there is a mocking depiction of an actor who portrays individuals with special needs.  The internet is ablaze with articles and comments firmly divided on the subject.  I am leaning towards NOT see.  Let me tell you why.  Better strap on your thinking cap…