Category Archives: Autism

Barrett Tales – October 2014

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It’s been a while since I shared a Bear Bear story, and I have a couple cute ones. Although Barrett is technically verbal, how and when he chooses to speak is always a mystery.  We don’t let his silence fool us – he understands what we say and he’s taking it all in.  Oh what I wouldn’t give to be inside his head for a day!

Discriminating Tastes

A few weeks ago Barrett said to his teacher Bobbi Jo, “I want water.” She got a cup and filled it with water from the sink (there’s a kitchen in his classroom).  He took a sip, but apparently didn’t like it, because he walked over to the sink and dumped it out.

Bobbi Jo said to him, “But I thought you were thirsty.   What do you want?”

Bear answered, “Water.”  Continue reading Barrett Tales – October 2014

Guest Post: Finding Ninee – The Little Bus

First day of 4th 2010

Years ago I started writing a memoir about our autism journey.  I’ve struggled in the process, not sure if I had the right to speak for the whole family, given so many details were intensely personal.  There are however a few chapters that I felt were really good – but didn’t know if they’d ever be read.  “The Little Bus” was one of those chapters.  When my friend Kristi, from Finding Ninee, asked me to contribute to her Our Land Series, I knew I had the piece.  I’m going to use Kristi’s words to describe Our Land:

“One day, I wrote a post called The Land of Empathy and Wonder, wondering how my little boy sees the world. In marveling at the beauty in which he looks at life, I declared that I want to live in Our Land – a place where empathy and wonder rule.  Where quirks and differences are celebrated and everybody is appreciated for his own uniqueness.

This land exists. It exists right now in some of you, if only ideally.  We, my friends, have the power to transform our worlds, our ideal places, and our homes into The Land of Empathy and Wonder.”

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So please join me over at Finding Ninee, to read The Little Bus.

 

 

When Barrett Met the Neighbors

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When it comes to my neighbors, I’ve been pretty lucky. A few years ago, we lived in a typical subdivision, on a cul-de-sac, with lots of neighbors.  Having spent many, many years living in Florida and/or apartments, where neighbors rarely even acknowledge each other, I loved the suburban life – especially for my kids.  I also came to appreciate the village it took to look after our son Barrett.  Continue reading When Barrett Met the Neighbors

Barrett Goes to Church

bearHPI realize that I vowed to not write about religion, and I assure you, this post isn’t about religion.  Stay with me, because it’s about autism, milestones, and my Barrett!

One of the benefits of belonging to our Catholic church is that there’s a Saturday evening mass. I love this, because my weekend mornings are very precious.  We haven’t been to church in a while, I won’t bore you with the reasons, but my little man has to start getting ready for his First Communion.  That means we need to show up.  Believe it or not, we’ve never been to church together as a family.  Barrett has never been able to sit still or remain silent for that long.  Unfortunately this has meant that he’s been absent from major family events (weddings, funerals and his sibling’s First Communions).  Continue reading Barrett Goes to Church