We have learned that the most effective way to minimize Zoe's meltdowns is for her to know what to expect, as much as possible. She needs a heads-up in what we are doing and what is expected of her before we get where we're going or even before we leave the house. This is not a 100% guarantee th

We’re not judging, I promise. We’re just taking care of our kid and trying to do what she needs. We are working on it. We do still see family regularly, and many of them have small children right now. Seeing her little cousins weekly, in a calm atmosphere for a couple of hours gives her opportu

Thanks, Abs ❤️ #parentingteens #parentingteensishard #momwin

We go to @Sam’s Club every week. We eat pizza; I pick up a few things, mostly produce; Zoe looks at the books, usually choosing one to come home with her, and then she dust mops before we leave. Adding in a little chair steering practice seemed like a good way to go, although she does prefer her sh

This is a video from a couple of years ago, but it’s one of my favorites. 😍 I want to be clear, these two aren’t perfect and neither is their relationship. They are very much normal teenage girls who irritate each other (sometimes intentionally) and laugh when the other gets in trouble. It’s a uni

#onthisday this is from 3 years ago, but other than her being a little bigger, not much has changed. She’s still very sensitive to sensations she considers unpleasant and she’ll still say, “don’t hit,” when my arm brushes hers or, “don’t pull my hair,” if I touch her hair accidentally. #autismpa

❄️ to 💕 I don’t like to spend a lot on seasonal decor so I watch for the clearance sales at the end of the season and pick up a few things to add to our collection. I have lots of Christmas/winter and lots of fall because they are my favorite. For other seasons/holidays, it’s a small box. Our s

Zoe has cerebral palsy, which affects her muscles, making walking hard and greatly impacting her balance. She’s been very frustrated lately with her feet, often telling us that they are in time out or that they have to stay home (when she has somewhere to go). She has AFOs; she doesn’t want to

Zoe had tried to clean under their piano the last time we were there, but using her dad’s iPhone for light wasn’t ideal. So she went with a plan this time. She not only brought her duster, but her headlamp as well. I’m thankful for friends who accept us as we are and who understand when we tell the

To me, it would make more sense just to stay in my room by myself if that’s how I felt, but we aren’t all the same. When she wakes up, she usually comes out of her room and to find me even if she’s feeling grouchy and wanting some alone time. #autismacceptance #autismparenting #puberty