All things G.
He loves anything to do with water. Squirt bottles. The hose. The laundry machine. SWIMMING! Cups of unattended liquid…quickly and sneakily get emptied. The ocean. The lake. Bath time. Shower time. Faucets…turning them on and off or letting them just run!!! Puddles (of course).
Then there is chocolate. He’s a bit more discerning about that. Must be semi-sweet chocolate chips. Dark chocolate m&m’s are preferred, however milk chocolate will suffice in a pinch. For birthdays chocolate brownies…but NO cake.
Trains…still our favorite. We have a couple wooden train sets, Thomas the tank and BRIO. A plastic track masters set (also Thomas). Another type of plastic track set…Thomas. Every type of train engine and little linked up train imaginable. The longer he can make his train the better, however often this becomes a problem on the track as turning corners and going up and down hills can be tricky and therefore induce a meltdown. We have just begun to introduce the electric train sets…somehow not as obsessed though.
Pom-poms! Yes, as in cheerleeder pom-poms. This stems from his car wash obsession and the brushes that scrub the car. Most likely a sensory thing as well.
Car washes, most likely a combination of mechanical interest, sensory and water facination.
Hugs and my lap. Pretty much my favorite thing about my boys, they are very loving and affectionate. G. tends to be in my lap or up in my arms, all 45lbs of him, much of the time. I have a permanent knot in my shoulder from lifting and holding and carrying him. Also, very strong arms and a sore back most of the time. I always thought those carrying and snuggling days would be brief, and one day they will feel as if they were…but I count myself lucky to have had an extended time cuddling my sweet natured boy.
Author: Vic.E.
I am a Mom. I am a Caregiver. I am an Advocate. I get paid in unconditional love, in progress and by the amazing support of my very hard-working husband who is the greatest Dad to our two boys.
Our first child came in 2011. He was orange haired and big, 9.5lbs…yikes! He was a butter ball. Just perfect and delicious! His eyes came out green like Momma’s and his skin tone white with freckles like Dad’s. He will be taller than both of us, over 6’ according to the trajectory of his health chart! He has his great grandfathers build. He is smart, has an amazing memory, is super creative, and is sensitive, so empathetic. He is my first born and just perfect. He is also diagnosed with Autism-mild, ADHD, Anxiety, dyslexia, possible dysgraphia and possible other things…really, just all things to help him get the supports he needs to thrive in life. At his core, he is who he is. Full of silly laughter, big smiles, a warm heart, intense loyalty, a strong justice gene, and a fundamental belief in the good.
My second and last child, was born in 2013. The boys are a year and a half apart. He was born looking like an old man. Poor kid was induced early, for fear of another large infant and my ignorance I had a say. He had the umbilical chord wrapped around him and was blue as can be. He recovered fine though, no need for oxygen or anything. But he was checked on a lot to be sure. His skin would be tan like mine, but he won’t go outside much in the daylight. His eyes are closer to Dad’s and his Gran’s (my husband’s mom)…hazel green/dark blue. He has moles rather than freckles, but other than the should be darker skin and moles, he looks just like his Dad. A little mini-me of my husband. Same sandy dark blond hair, same darker eyes, same features. His body is more like my husbands as well. However, he is due to grow over 6’ and will most likely be taller than his big brother! He had a level 4 tongue tie. Something I thought would stretch and break on it’s own. I was a naturalist momma. Keep those sharp objects away from my babies!!! He was able to nurse just fine, and we got to take him home. He was diagnosed first, his symptoms were classic…development fine and then massive regression. He was around a year old when we noticed. The doctor at my other son’s check up saw it, and referred us to an “evaluation” which I did not understand at the time. Anyhow. He is Severe-Autism, ADHD, non-verbal. Although, 10 years on, I don’t like that term for him. He chats all the time, mostly scripts, mostly needs and wants. Rarely anything novel comes out, but when it does it is brief, but magical!!! He progresses every day.
My life went from social to isolation pretty quick. Other’s noticed the differences with our kids, my youngest was unsafe to take out for years. So, here are our stories. Jumbled up, in reflection, looking forward, retrospective. I try to write about our progress, our hopes and show the raw side of living a life in a house of neurodivergence. You are not alone, we are many. It’s time we showed ourselves to the world and stopped hiding our kiddos away. They deserve to be celebrated, included, loved.
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autstanding 