Four Plus an Angel by Jessica Watson
Life after loss with autism, preemies and a rainbow baby
I could fill a book with the number of things I did not know about having an autistic adult. From the time my daughter turned 18 life has been a crash course in post-high education, independent living and finances. Despite what everyone says about preparing yourself, 90% of life after 18 is fumbling around in […]
Most autism parents will tell you they have more than enough autism awareness. They will say autism is their life 24/7 and they are more aware than they ever thought they would be. It’s tough to find anyone who doesn’t know someone with autism. The world is finally shifting to a time when the autism […]
This post was written by me in partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. I have been compensated for my time but all thoughts, opinions and crazy stories are my own. I’ve spent the last week binge-watching the show “Unexpected” whenever my kids aren’t in the room. During every episode, I ask myself at […]
ABLEnow® has sponsored this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We are six years (SIX YEARS!) into autism and adulthood and I can’t believe I’m still shocked at how unprepared the world is for kids like mine. The moment our world changed from acronyms like IEP and LRE to SSI and CLS I […]
Ashlyn was two when I received the results of her first developmental screening. Her fine motor skills where that of a 6 month old. Her gross motor skills registered at barely 9 months of age and her verbal skills tested at under one year. I knew shortly after her birth that something wasn’t right but […]
He announced his order to the cashier. Pushing up glasses heavy on his face, rocking from side to side a bit, his voice boomed above the muffled conversation of others in line. My heart beat a little faster as I watched the exchange. Would the cashier be polite? Were the other customers beginning to stare? […]
If you talk to most autism parents they will tell you that they quickly tire of Autism Awareness Month. Every day is Autism Awareness Day in their homes and most of the world is pretty aware at this point, especially with 1 in 68 children affected. They will tell you that we don’t need awareness, we […]
It took a decent amount of bribery and half of December but I talked Ashlyn into making another excellent gift guide for people with autism. Her first one was a hit and I’ve been trying to get her to do another ever since. Two years later we’ve got a new list that’s just as great […]
It was long and more than you expected, I’m sure. But what you don’t know, what you must not have considered despite your career, is that special needs moms prepare for this type of encounter from the time our children exhibit their first behavior that sets them apart from the crowd. You see I know. I […]
You were born and I was a mother. I didn’t fully understand that I had been a mom since the moment I saw two pink lines, that I was being handed 6 pounds 14 ounces of the most fierce kind of love. I didn’t know breathing you in would soften the blow of 2 am feedings and […]
