Last week I had to bring Jack for an appointment at the eye doctor. This is fun for a few reasons. I get a long stretch of time alone with my son. We have meaningful conversations and sing out loud together to our favorite songs on the radio and try new restaurants for fun, tasty […]
The other day I came across a picture of 13-month old Joey taking his first steps. I was sitting in a big leather chair nursing four-week old Jack, when Joey put down the block he’d been holding, stood up, and walked. Huh, I thought, watching—amazed—as my first-born toddled between the coffee table and the chair. […]
Last week the Internet exploded with the news of Robin William’s untimely passing. I liked Robin Williams and I thought he was funny. My favorite movie is probably Mrs. Doubtfire, and Joe and I watched his creepy turn in Photo Booth and ate pad Thai on our old brown couch in Buffalo. I could hardly […]
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, […]