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Thursday, September 12, 2013

Dear Me from 2006

Oh girl, you really haven't a clue what's in store for you.  You thought by working in the field of autism and special needs that you were trained for what's ahead.  Not even close.  Not by a mile.  You see, when it's YOUR kiddo's name on the paperwork (and there will be mounds of paperwork) and all the reams of data of what he can or cannot do in front of you, it's going to slap you so hard it makes you feel paralyzed with fear.  Cause you used to write paperwork like that about somebody kiddo.  You didn't have your heart tied to it.  You wrote your report, goals, parent note home etc, filed the triplicate forms to the right parties and swiped out your time card at the end of the day.   It's gonna be okay though honey.  You see, your kiddo is gonna prove a lot of those tests and evaluations wrong.  You know all those classes you took in college on testing and evaluations, you're gonna see first hand they really suck.  There are a billion special kiddos in the world.  How are you gonna put them all in the same box with the same test? Ridiculous right?

Really the test scores are going to look like a cake walk compared to how others in your life react to your son and his autism diagnosis.  Betcha didn't know when you shared with someone you cared about your worry and your concerns about your son's issues that they could make it all about them.  Honey, it's gonna knock you sideways to see how with autism in your life, you will loose some people.  Some were friends and some even family.  Don't worry though.  This really does just weed out the ones that really didn't need to be there anymore.  Plus the bonus is you will make room for the new ones.   The really awesome, fantastic, oh my god I want to buy a compound and take on all these other gals as Sister Wives, autism moms.  Folks who just nod their heads and get "it".  So yeah, Thanks Autism.  I've met some of the coolest people because of you.

He's going to do stuff you are convinced now he will never do.  I'm talking big huge stuff here.  Remember how you cried the other day that he would never say "I love you." or anything at all.  Last December, he got up in front of an auditorium packed with people and introduced a song.  Not only that, you heard him singing it from the second to back row where you were hiding from him as to not distract him.  Oh and the toilet training, he did it! I KNOW!  Heads up, you're still gonna have to remind him to go sometimes and it's going to take a long time to get "number two" down but he'll do it.  Here I'm gonna rock your world when I tell you this one.  Not only will handle all bathroom doings on his own, he'll tackle a public restroom on his own without you.  That's right, you're baby boy is going to walk right into a men's room before you can grab him and just go do his thing.  While you are standing outside freaking out about possible kidnappers and pedophiles in there, the only thing that's really going to frighten him is the automatic hand dryer.  He did it.  He survived.  You'll be amazed and still frightened for him to do it again but you'll let him because that's what we're working this hard to do.

Yeah, you are going to still be so freaking tired. Sleep and autism.   They really don't go hand in hand.  You will spend a lot of money on coffee and melatonin.   What else can I say?  Somehow you just get used to it.  You won't like it any but you'll just accept your fate and deal with it.

You're still going to have pity parties.  They'll be shorter though because you're going to learn that they don't really help much in the long scheme of things.  Besides, you got a blog to write. Nobody is going to want to read another depressing blog.  That's right sport, you're going to be cracking wise about autism.  There are going to still be days that suck ass but you will learn that it's way more important to focus on the funny.  That's what is going to get you through this.  Snark on Mama. Sarcasm saves Sanity.

Also stock up on wine.  Lots of wine.  And Advil.

Love me. :-)

18 comments:

  1. Amen mama. I had to give up the Advil. It appears my head was addicted to them and obliged me with extra headaches.

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  2. Snark on ... EVERYTHING is better with snark... and wine. In the name of all that is holy pass the wine.

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  3. I'm one of those sister wives, right? RIGHT? Snark on, doll.

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  4. Oh. My. Gawd. I LOVE YOU. Consider us married. Please? You just gave me so much HOPE (that most precious thing) as I sit here perseverating on a meeting yesterday where I tried to convince my son's teacher that he's...Come SO Far, really, you've just got to believe that he can and not give up...and...and...
    Thank you SO much.

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  5. Wow, if I read this on paper and had no idea it was on your blog I would have thought my wife wrote this! (goosebumps).
    This made my day, Thanks!
    I'm going to bring my wife some wine and fries tonight :)

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  6. Im crying, it just really hitd you when you look back at all the fear at dx. And llok back to years later to see just how very far you have trully come :) I love your blog.

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  7. Except for the working with autism kids, this could have been a letter to myself 4 yrs ago. The only thing I would have added was "The people you've lost make room for the HUGE supoort system from one amazing community."

    You see, Autism has brought me to the ring of awesome blogs and the support they give. Y'all have taught me to cry when I need to and lean when I have to. It's a tough road for us parents and caregivers, but it's nothing compared to what they have to deal with on a daily basis, so I have my "moment", sigh, and get right back up.

    I have you (and the other wonderful autism bloggers I've read and met) to thank for the new found strength. I guess what I'm saying is thanks for being awesome and don't change a thing. =)

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  8. This letter was amazing. I, too worked with the autism population - wrote goals, taught, held meetings for families, prior to having my own little boy with autism rock my world. I never thought I would be on the other side of the conference table. This touching letter brought tears to my eyes. I hope many new parents will be able to read it. It was very hopeful. Thank you.

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  9. You hit the nail on the head. Special Ed teacher turned Special Ed Mama (x2), here. I wish I knew this back around 2001. This is going to help some new moms through some rough days. Thank you.

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  10. this year is my "2006" so it was really inspiring to read this. the fear of the unknown is almost crippling some days. but I have hope, we can get there too! really keeping my fingers crossed on the potty training party lol

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  11. My son was diagnosed with Asperger's when he was 5. He is now 14 and not much has changed. At the same time, he is always changing. Sure, he has typical teenage mood swings now and wants to comb his hair into a "wave like Johnny Cash's". I never thought that I would be tucking my 14 year old into bed, just to have to put him back to bed - over and over and over again! Sleep is minimal and sometimes over rated (only because I don't get much). However, he has taught me so much about myself just by being who he is. I have learned patience, although there are days its more of an illusion than an actual virtue. I have learned to think outside of the box and sometimes no where near the box! He has taught me to find strength I didn't know I had. I am very thankful to have him and to have come across this blog. Thank you for taking the time to keep it up! It is truly inspiring and spot on!

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  12. I really really needed to read this today. I've already seen so much growth from my oldest in the past year and a half. But I was in the middle of a pity party today as my second child got evaluated for early intervention and got wrapped up in the fear and worry and guilt all over. Can't wait to see all of the things I can tell myself years from now because I'm sure I will be amazed!

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    1. our family had to go through 2 dx..the oldest is 12 now and little man is 9. I think, honestly,, the 2nd one hit us the hardest. He was quite typical met all his milestones and showed no signs of anything until he turned 18 months old. The the proverbial crap hit the fan on one fell swoop. You survive and you will find that it will be a totally different walk than with the first but many building blocks will be in place and you will get there. I suffered significant anxiety over spinning a plastic plate for him as a game one day and he became fixated. What was I thinking?!? I had to be reassured by the doctor that diagnosed him as well as my daughter ( his mom) We are a two family home and its worked out very well (most of the time) :)

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  13. I really really needed to read this today. I've already seen so much growth from my oldest in the past year and a half. But I was in the middle of a pity party today as my second child got evaluated for early intervention and got wrapped up in the fear and worry and guilt all over. Can't wait to see all of the things I can tell myself years from now because I'm sure I will be amazed!

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  14. Amazing words, Mama Fry you are truly inspiring.

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  15. I have just recently became aware of this blog, thanks to one of my FB friends. I LOVE it! You capture my daily experiences so often. I have to agree, strongly, sarcasm really does save sanity!

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  16. I remember back to 2006 when my son was diagnosed...I knew nothing about autism, but he was speech delayed, and I KNEW what it was without being told...I read about hand flapping and it felt like I had been punched in the stomach . Now, 7 years later, I know more, not that it changes anything. My little hug is autistic, barely speaks, wets the bed at night...thank heaven foe pull ups and mattress protectors. He has amazing teachers. I love them all. Glad I found this blog. I feel comforted. It's reassuring. Thank you!!

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