We finally had our first appointment yesterday with Children’s Autism Center yesterday. On the way to the doctor’s appointment, Bailey wanted to know if he was going to have to have a shot. “Of course not” we both replied “We’ll all just be talking to the doctor today”. After doing a lot of talking one of the things they want is a genetic test because we don’t know who Bailey’s father is and this will put together some of the pieces to the puzzle that makes up Bailey. I heard her say that this would be a blood draw but I knew that Bailey hadn’t so I just let it go. When we left we needed to go to the hospital for the test. We get registered and then when we are settled down, waiting for them to call him back I finally take him hands and tell him that they are going to have to take some blood for this test. …continue reading
One year ago, we were sitting in a speech pathologist’s office as she told us our son most likely had autism, and then proceeded to list all the things that he wouldn’t do.
The air was sucked out of my lungs. As we left, I called the doctor she said to NOT call, because we detested her that much. I then freaked out in a McDonald’s parking lot, shredding an entire box of McNuggets (box and all) with my bare hands.Much like my life, I’d find pieces of nugget strewn around the car for months to come.
I called insurance. I called to get therapy quotes. I cried, and I prayed. I pushed my husband away and formed a wall around myself and filled it with information. I had patient friends who helped me try to keep everything together.
And I started walking the road, not sure where to go or what to do.
And I lived, afraid.
No, terrified.
What a difference a year makes.
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My sunny boy laughs at me, and then laughs at his sister as she cracks up at something. She sees him laughing, and then laughs harder, which makes him laugh more. And I laugh from the simple joy of it all.
O sings the alphabet. Granted, he sings it about 100 times a day, but I can tell what it is. He spells, he sings, he labels WITH WORDS. He speaks.
…continue reading