It Began In That Moment That You Became A Daddy

To my very special big guy who helps me feel like I can do anything and help me feel like its going to be okay on the not so good days. I remember… Read More →

You Are Missed Daddy

*tissue warning* This is my second Father’s Day without my dear Dad.   He lived with us right up until he passed away and not a day goes by that  when I go… Read More →

Look Mamma I Can Dance :)

Yesterday my little boy was in his first school concert.  My little boy who is Autistic.  My little boy who loves to sing (even before he could talk) but who I never see… Read More →

The Boy Who Wants to Talk So Badly ~ Tears of Frustration and Sadness

Reblogged from Everything Under the Sun: I was tucking Johnny in tonight and he patted his pillow and said quite clearly “Mama stay here, pillow.” He seemed sad and I told him I’d… Read More →

Who’s the little….

Walking home today after a bittersweet afternoon saying goodbye to a wonderful Occupational Therapist who was moving away who is dear to Johnny topped off by a visit to a new neighborhood frozen… Read More →

Happy Mother’s Day

Next year it will be 20 years since I suddenly had to say goodbye to my Mom.

What Changed? It Was More Than….

When Johnny was 3-1/2 and was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, he began to start to say a few words again. We were very excited but after two blocks of 10 weeks of… Read More →

Let the words begin....

Reblogged from Everything Under the Sun: One year ago today Johnny began using words again when he requested what he wanted. At around 16 to 18 months Johnny lost any language he had learned… Read More →

One little victory at a time

Reblogged from Everything Under the Sun: “I want more oranges.” He said it. No he really did say it and he was not at home but at a birthday party at school. Johnny’s… Read More →

Communication Goes “Both” Ways

When Johnny first started going to Junior Kindergarten I wrote about the “communication gap” that happens between the classroom experience and home here:   http://sunflowercyn.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/what-id-like-to-hear-the-most/  What do you do when you have a… Read More →

What I'd like to hear the most

Reblogged from Everything Under the Sun: What did you do at school today? Did you have fun? What made you laugh? What did you not like? Who are you friends with? Why are… Read More →

Just Like Sleeping Beauty….

I could hear some little giggles coming from the living room while I was making dinner and I wondered what Johnny was up to. I had turned on a Disney movie that both… Read More →

Thank You

Thank you for stopping and reading about my son’s journey….our journey.  8000 thank you’s

If you have met a child with Autism then you have only met ONE child with Autism.

Reblogged from Everything Under the Sun: Since Johnny’s ASD diagnosis we have been trying to understand how he learns and how sensory affects Johnny so that frustrations don’t become bigger issues that turn… Read More →

We Need To Buy More…..

“We need to buy more toilet paper Mommy.” “The toilet is broken. We need to fix it.” “We need to buy more white soap.” Those three sentences now mean to me that I… Read More →

It’s Broken Mommy

A party favour toy noise maker. It looks innocent enough doesn’t it? . This little horn is powerful enough to bring tears of despair and frustration which could reduce a 5-1/2 year little… Read More →

Backwards Easter?

“I don’t like the Easter Bunny. Easter is done Mommy. I don’t like Easter. I don’t like the Easter bunny.” That’s what Johnny decided to tell me out of the blue on Monday.… Read More →

Joint Attention Is The Golden Nugget

“Joint attention is the shared focus of two individuals on an object. It is achieved when one individual alerts another to an object by means of eye-gazing, pointing or other verbal or non-verbal… Read More →

literacy morning

Reblogged from a diary of a mom: * This morning, we are headed to Brooke’s school for the fourth grade literacy morning. We will gather in the auditorium with the other parents, then… Read More →

A smile that is only meant for them...

Reblogged from Everything Under the Sun: ~ originally written August 2011 It’s been a long time since I wrote an update on our journey with Johnny. Special Pre-school: Johnny really enjoyed his time… Read More →

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Reblogged from Everything Under the Sun: Originally written on January 11 2011~ It’s funny how in life how three little words can change your life forever. “I love you” “It’s a boy!” or… Read More →

Characteristics of Autism

I found this very informative chart about Autism that may help answer some questions. Please share this information chart in order to help spread awareness about developmental delays and what Autism can look… Read More →

Star Marks The Spot

It’s Springtime and the city work crews and demarcation teams from gas, water, and telephone are busily marking up the city sidewalks to get ready to carve them up again to do more… Read More →

Just Being There

We recently celebrated Johnny’s Daddy’s birthday and the family were gathering for his birthday dinner at an authentic Italian pizzeria with a wood burning oven. It is a new place that we haven’t… Read More →

Riding The Emotional Rollercoaster

There is an element of control when there are schedules and routines in place and its the unexpected surprises that bring a feeling of “out of control” that leads to anxiety. A series… Read More →

Autism & Learning ~ A Handy Reference

I discovered this online credit to Online College.org *Please share* to spread awareness and acceptance

His Own Bag of Sensory Tricks

Johnny has always been my sensory seeker. He loves to run his hands over things and enjoy the different textures and how they feel. He loves colours and how some things sparkle as… Read More →

It’s Time To Speak Up

On Friday morning, Johnny’s Daddy wrote a letter of concern to the Manager in charge of transportation at the school district and copied it to the Principal and Johnny’s school Autism team. i… Read More →

It Happened On The Bus

“There was a spitting incident on the bus” *Yesterday* I cringed and my heart sunk as I thought we have gone so long without any incidents on any of the bus routes. Actually… Read More →

I Want To Make A Baba Marta

*This post is dedicated to “Johnny’s” Bulgarian relatives*   “I want to make a Baba Marta at school with Mrs.******” Johnny’s Daddy’s Grandfather was from Bulgaria and over the last 5 years we… Read More →