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Through the Rolodex: A Mother's Reflection on Memories - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
The most adorable boy. When do the people come to see me mama? When is it Sawyer’s turn? All of these years later I still fit the pit of failure in my stomach. For so many years I worried I failed him. The guilt, always on mind.
Do Not Be Ashamed for Getting Help - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
I committed a pretty big social media mistake once. Well, way more than once since then, but I remember this one specifically because it was my first. It was well over 6 years ago, but I still shake my head at how tone deaf I was.
Apples and Oranges: Navigating Daily Grief and Gratitude - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
My 13-year-old son Declan is non-speaking, autistic and uses an AAC device to communicate. We haven’t moved at all yet Declan is in seventh grade and has already attended twelve different schools.
Walking Hand in Hand with My Son at the Zoo - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
He is 13 and autistic and it’s a really big deal that his class goes on field trips because not all special education programs do. But it’s so good. It’s so good for the kids and the community and the businesses and the parents.
The Weight of Autism - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
,When I think about that little newborn baby—the first one I birthed, the first true obsession of my life—I recall the haze of sleepless nights and the excitement of new life. Babies are so raw and new; they wholly need you. You carry them and everything they will one day become. The fears, the worries, the hope, the determination. He matters merely because he exists, and to exist is a miracle on its own. Looking at that tiny being, my expectations were simple: health and happiness. But that little baby,…
A Walk with Sawyer: Parenthood's Unexpected Turns - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
As soon as the words left my mouth he spun around, put his hands on his hips, and said, ‘Like Cooper mom? Like Cooper? You forget I’m the middle. I’m not the big brother. You never make Cooper do anything. Because he has autism. But me, I do everything.’
A Mother-Daughter Journey through Autism, ADHD, and More - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
We talked about how when you have autism, we aren’t looking for a cure in our Ville. We chatted as best we could about brain damage by way of alcohol exposure before she was born.
Four Kids, One Autism Diagnosis: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
Four is loud. Four is chaotic. Four is wonderful. Four is fulfilling.A few days ago on Easter I woke up first. Which most definitely surprised me because as my two middles went to sleep last night I heard them plotting to wake up early to catch the Easter bunny.
Things I Would Have Told Myself to Prepare for Autism - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder became a constant companion in our life one April day a five years back. I think back to that day and realize both how naive and how unprepared I was for the journey ahead. There are a lot of things I would go back and tell myself on that day that I sat with tear-filled eyes not knowing which way was up.
Advocating for Vulnerable Voices - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
When you don’t have a child with a disability, you don’t think too much about it. Until your life is touched by it, you think about it differently; it’s personal. Of course, everyone knows there are individuals with disabilities, but it’s not directly affecting your life. There is not much you can do anyway. That is where you are wrong. We need to stand and advocate for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable. March is Disability Awareness Month. I am proud to say in Massachusetts, the governor declared March Developmental…
Lessons from My Son: Life's Unknown Paths with Autism - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
I could tell you a hundred things this kid has taught me in his thirteen years. More than most adults I know honestly. I had no idea when I was pregnant with my first born that he would end up being the teacher that I needed.
The Unveiling of Autism - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
There comes a day where you realize that admitting autism is hard isn't a choice you have to make, but rather it's a moment in time where the struggle of special needs parenting goes from secret to unable to mask it any longer.
Three Very Different Boys at a Park - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
At the park last night, one of these boys played with boys his own age. He went up the slide and scaled the jungle gym like an acrobat. One of these boys chased after the older boys. They tickled him and he loved the attention. He went down the slide a hundred times and said...’mommy watch this!’
Piece by Piece: A Journey Through Autism Parenthood - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
Have you ever purchased a very challenging jigsaw puzzle just for the sheer joy and feeling of accomplishment you’ll get once you’ve successfully assembled it? The larger the quantity of pieces the better right?
Autism in Teenage Terrain - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
The thing with growing tiny humans is they are always changing. Learning. Absorbing. Getting bigger. My son Cooper is 13 years old. He wants to ride an Amtrak train more than anything. He wants to have a party with his three friends, Dexter, Peyton, and Landon. He loves going to school. He also is autistic and technically nonspeaking on paper. But if you know him you know he has loads of words and sounds and signs and he can spell and read and even use movie scenes to tell us…
Connecting Over Coffee: Empowering Moms Through Shared Experiences and Hope - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
We talk about therapy and medication and support systems. And how vital it is for moms to value their own mental health.See, my lowest point happened to be very public. And in a car. I cried. It brought tens of thousands of people together. And it made a few angry too.
How the World Reacts to My Autistic Son - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
When we are out in public, my biggest worries are not about how my autistic son will act. Instead I worry about how the world will react.I don’t worry about his mannerisms. Or his uniqueness. Because I know exactly who he is and how he is going to behave. And that he is learning and growing.
My Life Is Grief, Joy, Love, and Heartache - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
For me, as a mom, this parenting autism life, especially alongside my neurotypical children, has often like a contradiction. A double-edged sword or sorts. A constant contradiction of joy and grief, both coexisting and intertwined. Neither wrong. A few days ago, I walked into a gym full of fifth graders and their parents and teachers. A living wax museum it was called. And my son, Sawyer. He was Barack Obama. Or Barry as we learned he liked to be called. He was lined up amongst his peers. He was ready…
Supporting Friends and Family Through a Diagnosis - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
What do I say to friends and family? The awkwardness of the parent’s thinking: “How are they going to respond, what am I going to say back, etc.” Kind deeds go a long way with someone going through a rough time. Has a friend or family member just received a diagnosis for them or their child? The Friends and Family Friday blog has been in the works for a very long time. The intention behind this is to help educate because knowledge is power. There are some tough times when…
The Sun on Her Face and the Wind on Her Back - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
My daughter is 15 years old. She is autistic, has sensory processing disorder, and anxiety. She spends much of her day trying to calm both her mind and her body. There are very few things that are able to regulate both of those things simultaneously. A long walk in nature on a sunny, breezy day is just what she needs to achieve inner peace, even if only for a short time.
A Mother's Wish: Slow Down Little One - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
Childhood goes so fast. And then slow. And fast again. And these babies keep growing.11 years old going on 16. Justin Bieber hair. Talk of girlfriends. Multiplication. Division. Telling me I’m old. Sometimes acting as if he's already outgrown our family.
Capturing Memories: A Journey Before and After Autism Diagnosis - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
I reminisce about how adorable and tiny he was, how I miss having a little baby, but it also feels like another era. A time before knowing something was different.Before knowing about autism.Back then, there was so much hope. So many possibilities.
This Isn’t the Autism I Imagined - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
When my son was diagnosed ten years ago, I knew nothing of the diagnosis. Not a thing. I researched of course.I found Rain Man. And dark grainy videos on YouTube of individuals on the spectrum struggling.
The Colors of Hope: A Journey Through Autism and Discovery - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
When my daughter was diagnosed, not knowing if I would ever hear her speak was gut, wrenching, and unless you’ve ever had a child like mine, you could never truly understand the sadness.
Finding Autism in Unexpected Places - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
I looked around while standing in the security line at the O’Hare International airport.Time to go home. I was only here for 24 hours. Not even really. I attended an amazing event for an amazing cause and slept through the night. I call that a successful trip.
When She Asked, "What is Autism?" - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
I let out a long sigh I had been holding in while she asked. And I let out what sounded like a laugh, only because it was a hard question that I truly didn’t have an answer for.“What is autism?” That’s a question I’ve asked myself so many sleepless nights.
A Cell Phone Opened Communication for My Nonspeaking Son - Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism
Verbally speaking is not possible for my son right now. He shows no desire. We’ve modeled pretty much every other type of communication you can imagine too.Sign language. Gestures. A speech device. Spelling. And so on.