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.

J has an auditory sensitivity due to his SPD.  Earlier this week, I purchased J a set of earmuff/headphones from the hunting department at a local Wal-Mart.  It was a recommendation and as I’m still navigating my way through the millions of tips on how to treat some of my son’s quirks, I certainly didn’t want to commit to a $75 pair of headphones if the $25 pair would do the same job.  J tried them on at the store and thought they were real cool.  He wore them around as we walked around the store and the fear set in as I realized this might be a mistake.  It was a little uncomfortable for me, but J didn’t notice so I tried the best I could to ignore the looks too.

On Sunday, we tested the headphones out for the first time when we went to go see Cars 2.  I carried them in my purse and as the trailers began, J calmly requested to put them on.  He did so (on his own) and about half-way through the movie, took them off.  During the second half I saw him momentarily cover his ears with his hands once or twice, but never for more than a few seconds.  After the movie was over, he mentioned that he really liked them and was happy that his “ears didn’t hurt at the movie!”  He was proud and so was I. …continue reading