You can never be too young to advocate for autism

I usually post a picture of our family wearing shirts to promote world autism day. This year we didn't get the chance to do that. But we promote and advocate autism all year long.

This picture represents how our whole family knows autism, we live with autism and we work hard to make sure that Nathan knows he's more than just autism.

See when we were about to have Nathan's little sister, Chayse, I was a nervous wreck. I was so worried that Nathan wouldn't adapt to her. That he wouldn't pay attention to her.

Boy was I wrong. From day one he loved her. He wanted her near him all of the time. He made sure we never left home without her. He was her big brother.

Now that Chayse is 3 years old she has surpassed Nathan in a few things. She can talk in full sentences. She can use the potty. She makes friends. But the one thing she does best is helping her big brother.

She gets concerned when he's having a hard time. She goes to him and wants to help fix his "boo boo" when he gets hurt. She helps him with his words. "Bubba say....." and he listens to her and says the word. And every single time she says "great job Bubba."

We have really begun talking to her about autism and how some kids learn a little differently and that that's ok. We tell her we need to be nice to them and say hello. We need to help them and be their friend.

Chayse is only 3 years old but she is wise beyond her years. Nathan adores her and as a mama who prayed that he would, I thank God every day that he answered my prayers.

Autism advocacy is not just once a year...it's all year. And Chayse is proof you can never be too young to advocate.

Comments

Nothing Comes Easy

Nathan got a "big boy" bike for Christmas. He's five so it seemed fitting. But in our world age doesn't mean anything. He's five and just got potty trained a few months ago. He's five and still can't talk. He's five and is still learning how to dress himself. So being five really doesn't matter. He was outside today on his bike. He loves it. He gets on it like a big boy and tries so hard, but he can't ride it. He doesn't understand the concept of pedaling. So his dad pushes him along pushing his feet as they go. I stood in the window watching with tears in my eyes. On one hand they are tears of utter joy that my son is out there trying to ride his bike. But...on the other hand my tears are of such sadness that everything he does is so extra hard for him. It tears me apart. I know he will get it. I know he won't give up...we won't give up. We will celebrate the milestone extra hard when he's riding a long all on his own. A...

Flirt like his daddy? - I never expected it

This week I asked Nathan's kindergarten teacher how he interacts with the other kids in his class. What she said surprised me... She said how Nathan is with the other kids, he probably learned from his daddy...Nathan is a little flirt with the girls. I was shocked. She said that he is always trying to get this one little girls attention. And his teacher told her to say hi to Nathan...she did and I guess he just got the biggest smile. Fast forward to Sunday night shower. We got him all cleaned and I said to him, "you are such a big boy, you smell so good and you are gonna go to school and smell so good for [little girl's name]." I will tell you he got a smile on his face. So we started doing the little teasing about her and I said is she your friend? He smiled from ear to ear. I got to thinking that I forget sometimes that even though he has autism and maybe his brain doesn't work quite like a typical person, his heart does and his feelings do. It's always s...

Does he dream of talking?

I have so many nights where I dream about Nathan talking to me. Some nights he is holding a whole conversation, some nights it is him learning a new phrase and saying it perfectly. I always wake up feeling like it was real. But I'm brought down to reality when Nathan wakes me up and is still pointing and making noises to try to get what he needs. Last night I was laying with him as he was falling asleep. As he started to get still and I could hear his breathing I started thinking, does he dream that he can talk to me? Does he dream that he can communicate his needs and wants without us trying to decipher what he's trying to tell us? Does he dream that he tells me how his day was after school? I ask him every single day even though I don't get a reply. Does he dream that he is talking to his dad about cars and trucks? Does he tell him his favorite one? Does he dream about talking to other kids and running around and playing with them?...

Through Nathan's Eyes

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