Awareness Month

April is the National Autism Awareness Month. I want to do my part to raise awareness (to the two people who read this -- ha!) Autism affects one in every 110 children and one in every 70 boys. There are quite a few red flags that indicate a child has autism so I'll just share what we noticed with Ryan. He didn't have words by 16 months, didn't have two-word phrases by 24 months, and has had a loss of language skills after his third birthday.

Just like breast cancer awareness has a pink ribbon, autism awareness is a ribbon comprised of puzzle pieces. It makes perfect sense -- the way their minds work is a puzzle really. We talk to Ryan all the time and he doesn't respond, but every once in a while he'll say something so clearly and perfectly that it shocks me. The times we hear him babble to himself it sounds so garbled that I tend to think that he isn't capable of pronouncing the sounds. (Like another one of my kiddos, who substitutes a 'w' sound for the 'r'.) So it seems to me like the right words are in there somewhere. With time I hope and pray we can get them out.

A friend asked today about adults with autism, because you don't hear about that much. I agree, and think that the main reason is because even though autism doesn't go away early intervention can help greatly. When a child is worked with consistently he can learn the right behaviours and even appear to be a typical child. Seeing older kids who have overcome so many obstacles in their development gives me so much hope! Someday . . .

Optimistic

It has been one of those days. Or maybe it has been one of those weeks. As I'm sitting here nursing my sweet little one, I'm struggling to remind myself of where my joy and hope lie. If it was in circumstances I think I'd give up. As I posted on my facebook page I heard yesterday that a body pulled from a pond on Monday was a friend of mine from high school. She has four children and I feel so much pain for them and for the rest of her family. Rest in peace, Heather.

Last week we had our sixth month follow-up visit with the developmental specialist. I was hoping to hear more of a detailed report on where Ryan falls on the autism spectrum, but he is still too young to tell. Each day I am reminded that having a child with special needs means I have to adjust my expectations. He is improving in many areas -- less self-abuse and screaming for one. He still delights in sensory "experiences", meaning making messes. He found my spices today and dumped them all over the pantry. He also took the "kid" laundry basket and unloaded clothes all over the staircase, dumped a pile of tiny rocks in the entry, and emptied a bag of Easter eggs waiting to go back to the church all over the play room. Aaaaahhh. Mommy needs a vacation! A cute (11 year old) friend of the family asked me yesterday if he is "optimistic". It took me a second before I realized what she meant. :)

Seriously though, all of us have days and weeks and sometimes months of difficulties. Where do you find your strength?

The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.
-- Exodus 15:2