I want to write about my son. I don’t even know how to put into words what’s going on in my brain, though. It’s such an overwhelming time for us right now, and please don’t misunderstand me - it’s a WONDERFULLY overwhelming, frighteningly exciting time. He’s moving forward and doing so many more things since beginning Kindergarten a few weeks ago. And I feel like we’re on this crazy rollercoaster of ups and downs. I’m reading the most amazing book right now about autism, and it feels like my eyes are being opened to all these new ideas - things I’ve always believed to be true, but never had any validation or confirmation of these ideas until right now. Pablo is really blossoming into a delightful little person, and seeing the change in him is beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. Beautiful because I can see for the first time how comfortable, safe, and happy he is, living a little 5-year-old boy’s life. Heartbreaking because I still see him struggling throughout the day and I still see people glancing at him with a raised eyebrow. Our boy has such a wonderful, kind soul. He’s so sensitive and intuitive and loving. Yet, he has such a hard time fitting into this world. I feel like I’m sitting on this gigantic secret, like I have a winning lotto ticket floating around in the bottom of my purse. If people only knew - if they would only open their minds and hearts a little - they would see how special these children are. I firmly believe in my heart that this disability isn’t a disability at all - it’s a gift - and in time, we’re going to figure out how to unlock the gifts within each of these children. I think that may be as simple as changing our own mindset about what is right and normal and acceptable. Without getting too crazymushy, let me just say - I feel like I’m on the edge of something big here. Like, we’re about to fall face first into some life changing realizations. It’s pretty cool!
Laura, also known as LaLaGirl, is the mother of a teenager and two young sets of twins. She's happily married to an enginerd named Paul, loves living in Colorado, and writes almost daily about married life, raising multiples, and parenting a child with autism. In addition to playing Barbies and pretending to eat plastic food all day, Laura spends most of her time folding clean laundry, obsessing about the amount of sugar her kids eat, and vacuuming up Polly Pocket accessories. She's obsessed with Yo Gabba Gabba, red wine, and Family Guy. She also regularly contributes to How Do You Do It? and authors the following blogs:


Kim in SLC
July 31st, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I love watching Pablo blossom! And I’m so very glad that you and Paul are his awesomely terrific parents!
Kim in SLC’s last blog post..37 Days
Jess
July 31st, 2008 at 1:51 pm
My step son needs a full time parent who thinks like you do… because doing what I can part time to encourage him isn’t working. It isn’t a “disability” that can’t be lived with and coped with. There’s something there and it’s unlocking what’s going on. Even if you don’t totally unlock what is in your child… you can strive to make their life the best you can. His mother only sees the disability, the frustration, and so on with her autistic son and also sees money. I pray someday that someone opens her eyes and does it quickly. (On top of it all, we just found out he has seizures in the speech part of his brain so he’s on new medicine for that which actually brings some of his autistic behaviors to the surface more.) Someday I would love to see if we can all work together to find out what his “gift” is… for now, it’s just me and his father every other weekend.
Jess’s last blog post..Alzheimer’s Memory Walk
Jess
July 31st, 2008 at 1:52 pm
By the way… your son is growing up so fast and he’s doing so well. He’s developed into a beautiful individual, reguardless of if he gets the raised eye brow or not and he’ll be understand to those around him who get treated similarly.
Jess’s last blog post..Alzheimer’s Memory Walk
Roe
July 31st, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Laura, that was an awesome post. Those were beautiful words.
Tamara
July 31st, 2008 at 2:41 pm
What a sweet post. Sounds like school has really helped him. What book are you reading? Can you do me a favor and email me your phone number again. Life is still crazy here but would love to talk to you!
Tamara’s last blog post..Protected: Life is?..
Monique
July 31st, 2008 at 3:36 pm
by any chance is that the book that I emailed to you a while back (sometime in April or May)? You never responded so I am not sure if you found the info helpful or not.
Rachel
July 31st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
My step son has AS and I couldn’t agree with you more! What a touching post. Thanks so much for sharing it!
Rachel’s last blog post..And the Emmy goes to
Bev
July 31st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
You know I know where you’re coming from. Read the book “Engaging Autism” by Dr. Greenspan. I just finished taking an online INTENSE course offered by him, and I think it was truly worthwhile!
Bev’s last blog post..Meet Kihei
Just So
August 1st, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Laura this part of your post
“I feel like I’m sitting on this gigantic secret, like I have a winning lotto ticket floating around in the bottom of my purse. If people only knew - if they would only open their minds and hearts a little - they would see how special these children are. I firmly believe in my heart that this disability isn’t a disability at all - it’s a gift -”
is SPOT ON! What a perfect way to describe it. My oldest has autism as well and if someone came to me tomorrow and said “Here, here is a pill that will make it so that J. doesn’t have autism anymore” I wouldn’t take it. Because it would change him. He wouldn’t be J. anymore…if that makes sense. He is such an amazing kid. We have been extremely blessed to have had people around him who recognize that. Not only adults but the kids who are in his grade at school as well. I’m sure there are those that raise their eyebrows or roll their eyes but they don’t know what they are missing out on.
I would, however, talk with J. about this imaginary pill and ask him if he wanted to take it. I, have in fact, asked him that very question. That if he could take a pill that would make his Autism go away would he. He said “No.”
Enjoy Pablo. I’m excited to hear all about how great he is doing and the strides that he makes.
Just So’s last blog post..Where am I again?
Elizabeth Channel
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Such a gift–your post! Yes! Yes! I so agree! With one son who teeters around the spectrum with a portfolio of diagnoses, I love hearing how you have embraced your son—very inspiring!
Brillig
August 5th, 2008 at 10:53 am
My family and I are still at the very beginning of our journey with autism. Our son is not yet 2. This post is so beautiful, and just the sort of thing I need to be reading right now. Thanks so much.
Brillig’s last blog post..On Brilliance, Blogrolls, and BloggersAnnex
Julie @ A Celebration Of Our Journey
August 5th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Wonderful! I am interested in the title of the book you’re reading…if you don’t mind sharing. I’m happy and I think I have reached acceptance, but I still struggle with finding a balance of acceptance and intervention. If you have a secret, please share? Pretty please?!
Julie @ A Celebration Of Our Journey’s last blog post..“I want fork.”
Ruthie
August 5th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Yay Pablo!! We have recently been through that with Christopher. He did so well in Kindergarten last year, we were just amazed. Even after having a tough time adjusting at first. He was very lucky though, his teachers were so patient with him, and even the students, really got to know his little quirks and were comfortable with him. It really allowed him to excel. I’m just hoping he’ll have the same support this year, which starts on Thursday.
So glad to hear that he is doing so well!
Ruthie’s last blog post..New Blog Design Unveiled!
Just Jamie
August 7th, 2008 at 10:24 am
HI. Found you through MomDot. Sounds like you’ve got a full heart, and a full house. Love it! Glad to see your son is celebrated in all his intricacies. Just wondering what the book is that you mentioned…
Just Jamie’s last blog post..Oh Crap
The Trel
August 21st, 2008 at 12:16 am
While I see the challenges my grandson Jason faces I also see the smile in his eyes, the joy of his voice and the incredible potential his bright mind will someday give forth. I look forward to his hugs, as many as he wants to give me because no matter what is wrong in MY life, HE gives ME strength! My young man is truely special in a mutitude of ways and never ceases to amaze me.
The Trels last blog post..The Wreckage Of A Broken Love
Andrea Cook
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I LOVE this message. It brought chills on my scalp. there are so many times when I feel this way about my 2 girls on the spectrum too. I wish it were easier though. there are those times when I wish they would conform to me and the world! Thanks for your encouraging words! Keep writing.
Andrea Cooks last blog post..Somewhere
M. Green
October 15th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I love your thoughts on your son’s autism. My son is 5 and I’m right there with you!!! I love him, he is so quirky and unique, thank God he can function well in self help ways, but he is always on a social/emotional roller coaster and I’m along for the ride!