What Autism Looks Like in Our House

Just wanted to give you a small glimpse into what Autism looks like in our house. What's that you say? It looks a lot like your house. Well you know what? You are right!!! In most ways your house and my house are very much the same. That is what makes "living with autism" so hard and why it is considered an "invisible" condition. In a lot of ways our life IS just like yours, but in some ways it is quite different. And that is why the statement "Different Not Less" means a lot to me.

 He has interests like any other kid, even though some may not be considered age appropriate. He loves just like any other kid, though he has a hard time expressing it. He has quirky habits like any other kid, though his would usually be seen as a little bit more quirky than others. He eats just like any other kid, though he may not eat the things most kids do (and this is something we have worked on for YEARS) and some things he shouldn't. He gets dressed like any other kid, even though we have struggled for years to teach him the self help skills he needs to be able to do it independently, but hey look he can finally zip his own jacket (maybe next we can work on snaps and buttons).  He has trouble waiting like any other kid, just like ANY other kid. So in a lot of ways he is just like your kid, but in a lot of ways he is different, just like any other kid. And just as important, in a lot of ways he is like other kids with autism and in a lot of ways he is different from them as well, just like any other kid. That is why the statement "If you have met one child with autism, you have met ONE child with autism" is soooo very true.

All this to say that he is special just like any other kid. He wants to be understood, accepted, and above all LOVED like any other kid. And you know what? HE IS!!! Thank you to all who have met him, and to those that haven't, and done just that Understood, Accepted, and Above all LOVED my guy, just like ANY other kid. This means the world to me, but more so it means the world to HIM!!

Zachary you are exactly who God designed you to be. And though this thing we call life can be tough, oh so tough; I couldn't ask for anything more. And to answer cousin Lestina's question yesterday: Yes!! Yes He IS a Blessing!!!

I Love You Zachary!!! Happy World Autism Awareness Day 2014!!!

 

Sleeping in mommy's bed with his friends Sully from Monsters University

And Daniel Tiger from Daniel Tigers Neighborhood

Stinker would not leave my room to get dressed until I helped him do this.

 

Still having Birthday Party decorations up 2 months later

Though they are slowly coming down

 

The gorgeous tulips he got me for my birthday

 (with Grandma's help of course)

 

Thomas trains lined up on the sink

 

and on his bed

 

Duplos put together and set upside down

 

Helping mommy get the stuff out to make his lunch for school

(hot dog in case you were wondering)

Wearing Mickey Mouse Camo on World Autism Awareness Day

to Support the Month of the Military Child (also the month of April)

Zip that jacket dude. Yeah!!!

 

Waiting to help mommy make his lunch. Looking longingly at the pool.

Soon buddy, hopefully very soon.

 All ready to go and trying to be patient waiting for the bus

Keeping my guy safe with a double lock storm door on the doors that lead to the outside.

He is an eloper, has no sense of danger, has language but doesn't know how to use it well,

loves water. One of my biggest fears at home and more so in public is him wandering/darting off, getting lost, and not knowing how to get help.

Say Cheeeeeeeese!!!

Say Autismmmmmm!!