Day 22- Thankfulness

In the 22 short days that I have been writing this blog I have already had a stream of compliments, requests, and concerns for family and friends that don't have answers. While I am extremely appreciative of the compliments, the concerns are what move me the most.

I am by no means an expert in the ASD field. I am, however, a mother, who knew deep inside that there was something more severely wrong with my child than him 'just being a boy' or a 'discipline problem' or a 'spoiled brat.' I knew we had tried everything from disciplinary procedures to reward systems. I knew that he didn't simply 'just need to be spanked every once in a while.' When people come to me to ask questions the first thing I hope they understand is that my heart breaks for them. If they are asking then I know they have that feeling too. The feeling that something is not quite right. They are scared, anxious, hopeful and above all concerned that this is something bigger than they know how to handle.

The first thing I offer is a phone number. My phone number. If they need any advice on where to go, what to do, or just simply need a shoulder to cry on, I am there. I have been in their situation, felt that feeling. It nags at you from down in the bottom of your heart. It makes you sick to your stomach. I want everyone that could possibly be in this situation to know that I am available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

After that, I carefully try to answer the questions they ask to the best of my knowledge. If they are in my town I can offer places to go, people to talk to, support groups to join. I repeat over and over that I am NOT AN EXPERT, just simply a Mom. But I also believe that Mom's intuition is greater than any expert saying 'this is typical, he'll grow out of it.'

If you are reading this and have had questions that you are afraid to ask, please don't hesitate. If you know of someone who will benefit from this blog, feel free to share it. My goal is to raise awareness. A short goal has been met, but I want to change the way this world views ASD's.

I apologize that it has taken me so many days to write out our story. This has been extremely hard for me to relive and for me to make sure I didn't leave anything out. From the time he was born until this very day, there is so much to share. I only hope that I will be able to get all of it in before the year is up.

Thank you to everyone who takes time out of their day to read this blog.