This weekend, we went to a water park. Nothing undoes me like a road trip with my family. It doesn’t help that five out of the seven of us get terribly carsick and need to clutch thin plastic bags pilfered from the Mobil Mart for the entire ride. I am one of the unlucky five. […]
I’ve never written a follow-up post before. I’ve kind of stayed away from them, to be honest. I mean, everyone knows sequels are never as good as the originals. Unless, of course, you are talking about the Rocky movies, in which case it is indisputable that Rocky II is the best movie ever made. “Yo […]
Lately I’ve been really curious about what autism means to my 10-year old son, Jack. I mean, I know he knows he has it. And we know he hates it. But what does it mean to him, exactly? So, I conducted some high-level research. It went something like this: “Jack, what does autism mean to […]
Dear Rose, I have a confession to make. I didn’t want to have a girl. We kept your gender a surprise throughout the pregnancy, but I was so sure you were a boy. We already had three boys, I knew how to handle boys, and everyone knows boys are easier. But on a hot summer morning […]
“Can you believe Jack made this?” the karate instructor said, handing me a small white flag. “He did?” I asked, turning the piece of fabric over in my hands. “Yes!” she said excitedly. “All on his own. We told them to use the space to describe themselves, and that’s what he drew.” He’d colored boxes in […]
Sometimes people write to me and ask questions. They ask me about anxiety and medication and weighted blankets and good ideas for sidestepping tantrums. Although I never have any good advice to give, I love reading about people’s families and hearing their stories of autism and spectrum disorder. I also love it because it gives […]
“Hey Carrie, it’s me, Sandy. Listen, I had an idea for you—” Sandy is a dog trainer.We started to work with her after we got our puppy,Wolfie, because we have no idea what we’re doing. “Oh, I’m so glad you called! I’m kind of worried he doesn’t like his food. He isn’t eating it as fast. […]
“Sometimes. I call Mr. Hines Mr. Clean.” “Jack! That isn’t very nice. He’s your teacher.” We were standing in the cleaning aisle of Hannaford’s picking up Windex. “It’s a joke. I was making a joke.” I watched him push his glasses up the bridge of his nose, and I noticed the glint in his eye, […]
Last Sunday was the kind of day we New Englanders have been waiting for all spring. Beautiful and sunny, with a cloudless blue sky. Maybe you’re wondering what I did on this lovely day. Did I take Wolfie for a long walk? Read on our front porch or play badminton with the kids? No, I didn’t do any of […]
“Saturday. Saturday is Miss Jennifer’s wedding.” “I know Jack,” I said. “It’s going to be on a lake so we have to be extra careful—“ “She is a favorite person. To me.” Usually when people say they want the kids to come to formal events, I smile and shrug my shoulders and say politely, “Really, […]
