I am observing Monchichi in therapy with Wonder Woman, our wonderful, irreplaceable, brilliant autism therapist who we lovingly refer to as “BOSS.” He is learning a new technique to keep his anger and frustration in check. He can’t tell us to “piss off” so he yells and grunts and flaps instead. It’s okay now, at…
Find Something To Celebrate
My best friend (the one I keep around because she knows way too much) said something pivotal to me in the wake of what experts in the field would coin as a Crappy Week. “Find something to celebrate, “ she said, as she handed me a home cooked meal complete with a chilled bottle of Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider. I…
Love Is An Action Word
Sneaking quietlyacross the dark hallwaydesperate for that first cup of what saves mei hear your trademark thumpannouncing your arrivalyour finger pointing at your mouthI wish I had already gone to the bathroombut I open the fridgeand get to workBecauseLove IsAn Action Word You wait untilI am melted into the couchwatching bad televisiongiving in and giving…
The Foundation for Funding Autism Education Because We Are Grossly Underfunded
Last Friday, the husband and I were invited to attend an Autism fundraising event held by a local couple. Their son was also diagnosed at the age of two and the devastation that it brought mirrored our own pain and frustration. But this family chose to turn grief into hope. They began a foundation, in…
Sometimes Confessing is Half the Battle
There is an ugly side to this mommy. Sometimes, she comes out while in public places, as she anticipates strangers’ reactions to her silent son, obessing whether or not someone may think he is rude, selfish, stupid. She shows up during conversations with other mothers, as they complain about the mundane, comparing notes on achievements, professing…
I Was Going To Complain About Something
but then rhythmic murmursfragile kissesanda Wild Thingawakeningattacking withunsolicited tickles andfresh sunlightChocolate Delight Special K Cerealhot coffeemade by someone else andchildren in jammieslaughter in their eyeshungry pouts in placeHalloween candy demandsyogurt and bananas instead andstudentsneeding hugsextra explanationsband aidslow grade feversphone calls home andleftoversearly christmas commercialsthe new Sprouts addaydreams ofBarnes and Noble book signings andmore lovethan i…
A "Better" Set of Problems
When my world came crashing down around me that unassuming March day five years ago, I could see nothing past Autism. It began to suffocate me the minute the doctors bluntly uttered the word; a word that gave life to a burden I did not believe I could bear. I choked everytime I said it outloud, and…