Autism Isn't Everything
Rosemary's Baby is autistic.
I wasn't sure I wanted to ever mention this. Firstly, it's one thing for me to relay his naughty adventures from the perspective of the frazzled mom that we can all relate to, but it's quite another for me to blab his very personal issues to the world willy-nilly. I have a responsibility to protect his privacy. As well, this sort of thing is SO not what I wanted my blog to be about. I was always just hoping to find the fun in a life that can be mundane, frustrating and exhausting. Turning this into Poor, Poor Pitiful Me, or worse yet, Super Army Wife's Autism Blog Of Heroes kind of makes me want to puke in my mouth a little.
But I'm outing my kid now because I know realistically that if I want to tell these stories properly, it's going to come up from time to time. Rosemary's Baby continues to do outrageous and hilarious things that I simply must share, and it's about embracing him for who he is. Besides, when he grows up and writes his Mommy-Dearest-style tell-all about me, we'll totally be even.
I'm relatively new to this autism business, and I admit the first ten days post-diagnosis were about as bad as it gets emotionally. But having processed what it all means to him and to us, I know really that this is one of those situations where perspective is everything. So I choose to do all that I can to help my boy reach his maximum potential and to live a happy life. I choose to take this seriously and come at it from every possible angle. But I will not let him grow up thinking he needs to be "fixed". I will not raise my little guy to think that his disorder was the ruin of us. I will not choose to be miserable when I can choose to be happy.
Here's a recent shot of us goofing around:
As you can see, we're still finding the fun.
I wasn't sure I wanted to ever mention this. Firstly, it's one thing for me to relay his naughty adventures from the perspective of the frazzled mom that we can all relate to, but it's quite another for me to blab his very personal issues to the world willy-nilly. I have a responsibility to protect his privacy. As well, this sort of thing is SO not what I wanted my blog to be about. I was always just hoping to find the fun in a life that can be mundane, frustrating and exhausting. Turning this into Poor, Poor Pitiful Me, or worse yet, Super Army Wife's Autism Blog Of Heroes kind of makes me want to puke in my mouth a little.
But I'm outing my kid now because I know realistically that if I want to tell these stories properly, it's going to come up from time to time. Rosemary's Baby continues to do outrageous and hilarious things that I simply must share, and it's about embracing him for who he is. Besides, when he grows up and writes his Mommy-Dearest-style tell-all about me, we'll totally be even.
I'm relatively new to this autism business, and I admit the first ten days post-diagnosis were about as bad as it gets emotionally. But having processed what it all means to him and to us, I know really that this is one of those situations where perspective is everything. So I choose to do all that I can to help my boy reach his maximum potential and to live a happy life. I choose to take this seriously and come at it from every possible angle. But I will not let him grow up thinking he needs to be "fixed". I will not raise my little guy to think that his disorder was the ruin of us. I will not choose to be miserable when I can choose to be happy.
Here's a recent shot of us goofing around:
As you can see, we're still finding the fun.
Comments
I'm sure that with you as a mom he's going to do beautifully and grow up to be a happy and well adjusted young man.
To see things in perspective -you may be tired and stressed a lot of times, but there is hope for your child - he is able to look into the camera (so he still has some social skills - very important for autistic children!!!)
Give yourself some slack and relaxation time with adults:) to keep your spirits up:)
Have a good weekend, Jeannette
Blessings!
Dimple
PS Look into NJ and Ohio. They have some of the best programs and research facilities for Autistic children. A lot of things you find are very helpful.
I have a learning disorder, and it's not the end of the world. I have found ways to get around it, as I'm sure he will!
I know an autistic woman who's family though she would do nothing with her life, and she is now a very talented artist! She's re-doing the libaries in town!
We love you honey! Thank you for opening that window for us!
I hear you girl!!!!! I agree 100%!! Coming from a fellow Army wife and mommy to an boy with autism!! I can totally relate!!!
You have an award on my blog today:
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com/2009/10/and-award-goes-toyou.html
Jenny McCarthy is SO passionate about the diet and detox, and I have to admit, we're seeing some pretty significant success with it ourselves. However, even if it did "cure" his autism tomorrow, I know that my little guy would still need thousands of hours of speech therapy to catch up to where he should be. So I think those who call it a cure take away from the important work of the therapists out there who help so many kids have success.
I firmly believe that a lot of the theories that are being shot down by the medical community actually have merit, and until his doctors can guarantee him recovery, I'm going to seek out and supplement his treatment with alternatives. But therapy has a huge place in the many success stories out there, and I think that sometimes gets lost in all the hype!