18 Comments

  1. Tabitha O'Connor
    February 16, 2015 @ 2:22 pm

    I have been told on numerous occasions that labeling is wrong or bad. I disagree. Our oldest son didn’t receive his Asperger’s diagnosis until he was nearly 9. We went through A LOT before he was “labeled”, but once we finally knew what we were dealing with, we could begin to heal and move forward. That’s not to say it’s been easy, but it’s really hard to fight a monster when you don’t know its name. Sometimes labels make life easier, more manageable. Thank you for sharing your perspectives so freely. My son is 23 now, and your blog has given me new perspective even after all these years.

    Reply

  2. Gerry
    February 16, 2015 @ 2:25 pm

    Beautifully written and so very true. Thanks for the writing of the experiences I have had so eloquently and with such great honesty.

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  3. Carol Wright
    February 16, 2015 @ 3:09 pm

    Love reading your blogs. My granddaughter was diagnosed ASD at 18 months. Although well meaning friends would say, “I’m so sorry,” I was relieved. We now had something to work with, and work on. The most amazing transformation has been in my husband, or “Gunka” as she calls him. Watching him learn how to help her and talk to her has been great.

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    • Carol Bruce
      February 16, 2015 @ 5:32 pm

      Jack is so lucky to have such a caring, patient mother and family. People don’t always realize how the label can set them free and help them understand.

      Reply

  4. Ann Kilter
    February 16, 2015 @ 7:29 pm

    I agree wholeheartedly. The label got my oldest daughter intoxication an autism classroom, without which she would have never graduated from high school or college. And the label allowed my son to progress through highschool and college with accommodations he needed to succeed.

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  5. Ann Kilter
    February 16, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

    *into instead of intoxication.

    Reply

  6. oshrivastava
    February 17, 2015 @ 2:24 am

    Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.

    Reply

  7. Amber
    February 17, 2015 @ 2:30 am

    For us, the label was actually a relief. Not because we were glad that she has autism but rather that we could get her the help that we knew she needed now that it had a name, a name that insurance would recognize. And it also gave us understanding, which in turn has given us more patience.

    Reply

  8. Josie
    February 17, 2015 @ 11:43 pm

    Hey Jack, i am your friend! Happy Valentine’s day, buddy! Love, Josie

    Reply

    • Faye Morgan
      February 19, 2015 @ 6:08 am

      Hey Jack, I am an old grandma who hasn’t met you in person, but I love you and your smile, your kind ways. You are a handsome young man who has a wonderful Mom and Dad, they love you so much! Love, Grandma Faye,

      Reply

  9. Naomi
    February 18, 2015 @ 10:35 am

    This touched my heart as two of our boys are on the spectrum and we too have found their diagnosis so helpful. I welled up with tears when you explained your son buying the cards because it reflects many similar precious moments with our boys too. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  10. Betty
    February 18, 2015 @ 11:32 am

    Hi, Jack. Hope you had a great time on Valentine Day. Hugs and kisses from me!

    Reply

  11. Kristi Monfort-Moore
    February 18, 2015 @ 12:20 pm

    couldnt have put it into words any better. except your jack is my audrey.

    Reply

  12. SofiaPrada
    February 18, 2015 @ 12:45 pm

    I just read you for the first time and I love it. It moved me deeply. I am just starting this journey, my son was also diagnosed at an early age and now he is almost four. Not yet toilet trained, not yet able to talk, with many behaviors that I still don’t understand, but with the most beautiful smile. I agree with you, thanks to the label I can understand better 🙂

    Reply

  13. Andrea Heitshu
    February 18, 2015 @ 1:11 pm

    Beautifully written.

    Reply

  14. Dina
    February 18, 2015 @ 2:54 pm

    If we lived in the same city, I would gladly send Jack and Evite for a birthday party or playdate with my 9 year old ASD kid Drew.

    Reply

  15. Elisa
    February 18, 2015 @ 3:25 pm

    So true! I remember taking my son to everyone and them saying “I don’t really want to label it anything.” I got to the point where I was saying I didn’t care if you called him green with purple polka dots as long as we could help him. He was always so frustrated and tantrum-y. I started this when he was 16 months. My doctor didn’t diagnose until he was 5 nearly 6! I feel like we lost A LOT of ground because of the fear of a label…

    Reply

  16. evelyn maher
    February 18, 2015 @ 9:59 pm

    A handsome young man you have there.

    Reply

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