Restrictive, Repetitive Behaviours, Electronics and Skittles
For many years, our focus with Tyson has been increasing his communication by any and all means possible. Generally, I have not given a whole lot of thought to Tyson’s repetitive behaviours as they are very much a part of Tyson’s being. They are part of what makes him the…
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Dear Santa
Thank you for the presents you brought me last year. This year I would like …. What Dear Santa letter does not start like that? Followed by a short (or long) list of all the treasures they hope Santa will bring. Tyson has never written a letter to Santa. In…
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Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat Halloween can be tricky (no pun intended) for some families with extra challenges – it was for ours. Have a read for steps we have taken to help Tyson enjoy Halloween.
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The Big Ten
Can I start by saying that for many years I hated birthday parties? I hated throwing Tyson a party. But I hated going to birthday parties even more. Birthday parties have been like seeing the world, our world, through a microscopic – an up close and detailed comparison of neurotypical…
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A Letter to Special Needs Parents (Before the Start of the School Year)
Before Tyson entered Kindergarten I had so many worries. I was afraid that he would be lonely and forgotten, that the other kids in his class would make fun of him or at the very least, ignore him. I was afraid that no one would hear his ‘silent voice’ or…
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A Summer of Good-byes
Last week we said farewell to our beloved speech-language pathologist (S-LP). We have had numerous S-LPs over the years as Tyson has been in speech therapy since he has been 18 months old and they have all provided Tyson and me with a valuable skillset. But there was something unique…
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Tyson & the ER
When Tyson was very little, while walking up the stairs, he slipped and split open his chin and required stitches. That event, before Tyson turned two, shaped all future visits to the Janeway Children’s Hospital emergency department. In my mind, I can still picture him wrapped in a white sheet…
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When Life Gives You Lemons
I don’t know about you, but my life philosophy has always been when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I tend to focus my thoughts on all the positives in my life and lately, there have been a lot of great things. Tyson is doing great in school and more…
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Inclusion
Inclusion is defined as the practice of equal access to opportunities and resources. But in everyday life what does it look like? Is simply having a child with exceptionalities present in a setting with typical peers inclusion? No. Not unless there are supports in place for the child to thrive…
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The Nonverbal Part of Autism
In my opinion, one of the most challenging aspects of autism for both the child and the parent is the deficits in communication. These deficits can take many forms and can range from mild to severe. For some individuals, it may mean little to no verbal communication. For others, communication…
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Spread A Little Kindness
February is the month of love. Stores are filled with red hearts, chocolates, and oversized teddy bears professing their love. There is Valentine’s Day and Pink Shirt Day. Let’s not forget it’s heart month and congenital heart defect awareness week in early February. February = love = ♥️ ♥️ ♥️…
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Christmas, the COVID-19 Vaccine & Autism
The week leading up to Christmas Day is my favourite time in the entire year. Yes, it’s hectic with the decorating, shopping, wrapping, and cleaning but the excitement in a house when children are waiting for Santa is magical. We started our Christmas week in a very unusual way this…
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Surviving Christmas (Tips for Autistic Families)
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! (Can you even read this sentence without singing it?!) Neighbourhoods lit up like the Hallmark movies. Mailboxes filled with Christmas greetings. Trees covered in ornaments passed down over the years. Beautifully decorated homes smelling of Mr. Clean and homemade fruit cake. (Well,…
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He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
Lincoln loved Tyson from the moment he was born and has always been proud of his big brother role. When you think of brothers, especially like my two boys who are close in age, you probably think of days filled with playing in the dirt, ramping around on the floor,…
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Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
It’s 11:00 on a school night and Tyson is still awake. It’s going to be one of those nights when sleep doesn’t come easy. I hate those nights. I absolutely love my sleep and I am quite crusty (that my word for contrary) without it. I don’t need much, a…
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Gratitude
I was recently reading a friend’s blog about her gratitude practice and it reminded me of when I use to keep a gratitude journal. It has been years since I actually wrote in a journal however in my head, I always have lists of things I am grateful for in…
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Just Say Hi!
As we head into a new school year, I wanted to reshare something I wrote last year at the beginning of the school year. It has been a very common experience for us, as an autism family and I’m sure for many other families that are a little different like…
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When It’s Not Autism
I don’t know about you, parents, but do you find now that your child has an autism diagnosis, whatever medical issue arises is attributed to autism? Tyson has had acid reflux since about 8 weeks old. It is chronic and persistent. When he was younger, he was medicated for it…
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What’s on the Menu?
Chicken nuggets Goldfish (original) McDonald’s fries Chicken nuggets KFC popcorn chicken Mary Brown’s taters Brookside Blueberry and açai dark chocolate Home style restaurant fries (Swiss Chalet, Ziggy’s, Ches’s) Cheesies Ketchup (does ketchup count as a food!?!?) Did I mention chicken nuggets? Jane’s chicken nuggets, to be specific. That’s the list.…
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Perspective
After posting my last blog (My Love Hate Relationship with Summer) I found myself lying in bed one night wondering what other people thought when they read it. Do they think our life sucks? Do they pity us and our struggles? Please don’t. I am actually a very content person.…
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More Than The Words 