I thought I was special

With having a special needs child you tend to think most things are unique to your situation. The challenges you face all are part of having a child with a disability. However, when you have a teenager those feelings can be mixed.
On the one hand my son still has the intellectual brain of a child. He still does kid-like things. Like play with stuffed-animals. Then the hormones come out and you don't feel so special. As every teenager is moody, have small temper, and wants to do what they want. Like others, my teen is unmotivated and lazy when it comes to job, chores, and other life skills. He expects that we will do everything for him and all he should do is sit in front of the electronics. Where did the sweet boy go? The one who likes to be active, or spend time with the family? At this time, of course he wants to be alone most of the time.
Half the time when I am experiencing a particular bad behavior I think is this the disability or the teenage brain? Which is in control at this time? Is it both that is acting or one? All these thoughts go through at once.
It makes me worry for the future. Most teenagers find their way into adulthood and grow out of their lazy ways. Will that happen for my son? Will he eventually start getting the motivation to take care of his life? It is very likely he will never been fully independent. But, I can only hope he will get pushed into having as active and normal adult life as is possible!

Knowing is half the battle

Once I knew the truth I raged. I cried. I wished for the child that would never be. I still hoped that he just be quirky. More like Sheldon, from Big Bang Theory. I still imaged less difficulties than what I had  gotten.

I wish at the time of diagnosis I had been more prepared. I should of realized that this is not a disease with a cure. My son will always have the mind of a child. He will always have problems understanding the normal things, you and I would lake for granted. I am convinced that Autism has been with man since the beginning. We have always had special children to take care of. They turned to be the inventors in society. I know, given half a chance with a computer my son has the potential. Of course at this stage he is equally likely to watch videos.

Once I knew the reality of having a special needs child, my life changed. I had to take jobs for stability and income. We could not afford extra care, so my husband stayed home. It was a choice we made. We still make sacrifices. Having jobs that keep us close to home. However, soon we will change that. As he grows older we are going to look at making certain he is the best adult he can be.


This has been part of Finish the Friday Sentence hosted by Kristie at Finding Nininee.

Taking a break

The need to take a break from things is perfectly normal. We all wish to escape our everyday lives and recharge our batteries. What do you do when you need a break from your own child? Especially when the child is special needs. Family or friends may not be willing or able to take the child. Some people so not have that skill. Getting a support worker would be ideal, however the cost for one is out of most people's price range. If you have the resources to get a worker that does make life much easier. I myself have to rely on what is available in the community. For us that is respite, which we can only get once or twice a year. Now I can occasionally get  family to help for an evening. It would be nice to get more time. As my son is growing into adulthood it is important that he gets breaks from us. Get used to the idea of being independent. It will be a difficult time and we will be looking for more break time as the years go on.