Thank You Journal

When special needs knock on your child's door, what does it mean?

It means as parents, we have to work a little harder.
It means as parents, we no longer can just be teacher assistants, we must become proficient teachers.
It means we no longer take everyday things for granted.
When a child says, "I love you" it's an indication of using language.
When a child gives you big hugs, it's physical contact.
When a child plays a board game and enjoys the experience, it's socialization.
These things now become major miracles.
It means we must become behavior analysts. We must learn to evaluate the environment and make adjustments so our children can successfully function in it.
It means we must also remember our other children and do all of the same things for them.
It means we must become strong advocates and learn to fight for our child's rights.
These are all of the things I learned when autism knocked on our door.
At the end of the day, when exhaustion sets in, I take off my teacher's hat, my lawyer's hat, my behavior analyst's hat, my sibling support hat and I put on my mom hat.
I think about the small miracles that occurred that day.
Some language, some hugs and kisses, some laughing and joking.
I am grateful to experience the small miracles that I would have missed if autism had not knocked on our door.

Together, we create a special world: a world of love, a kinder world, a world that celebrates life and all of its challenges. Thank you.