Yesterday, it almost passed without being noticed. It’s honestly amazing that I almost made it through an entire January 19th without thinking about the day that changed my life’s perspective. Yesterday is our “A-Day” anniversary. A-Day = autism diagnosis day. It has been six years. I still can’t believe that S.I.X. years have already flown by. Oh, and how my perspective has changed with time and experience.

I have reflected on our A-Day in the past. (Click here to review our 4 year anniversary and here to review our 5 year.) This year, I think that I’ll recount some things that I’ve learned along the way.

  1. In the world of autism parents, there are two real and very distinct polarizing views. Those who believe that there is a “cure” for autism and those that think that the “cure autism” parents have fallen into the trance of a cult. I am neither.
  2. We have tried biomedical intervention and have seen some improvements, but not enough to continue to pursue those ideas.
  3. I did really hope (at the beginning) that Christian would be “cured” because his autism was the regressive type. I no longer want or need that for Christian.
  4. Just because we no longer are looking for a “cure” doesn’t mean that we don’t want what is best for our son. We still spend countless hours with therapy and reading, researching, and trying new ideas.
  5. Some of these ideas work wonders. Some don’t work at all. Some make things worse. Some make life a little bit easier. Some only last awhile. Some forever change our lives. We never know before we start which of these scenarios we will face.
  6. A gluten and casein-free diet was a godsend for Christian for over 5-1/2 years. This summer we slowly started re-introducing these banned foods. Christian can tolerate most now. We are thankful that he is starting to take an interest in what we, as the rest of the family, are eating. He is now trying new foods without behavioral consequence. I am overwhelmedly relieved.
  7. Some times you do need to use medication that you really wish you didn’t have to give your seven-year-old. Finding the right one at the right dosage can really turn a downward spiral into an upward one.
  8. Dogs are amazing. Watching Christian learn to be a friend warms my heart. I love the smile on his face the moment that he sees his Pixar. It is priceless.
  9. Technology is fantastic. It has given my formerly non-verbal son the gift of a voice before he had the verbal words to use. I am forever grateful. It is a window into the inner workings of his mind.
  10. The love that others (therapists, teachers, bus drivers, neighbors, friends, volunteers, strangers, etc.) show my son will always make me teary-eyed. I will cry later when I think back on it when no one else is around.
  11. Olivia is a great little (big) sister.
  12. I can be a “Mama Bear” if I have to be. Watch out.
  13. I do need to take care of my health. It is just as important as everyone else’s.
  14. Sleep is precious. Yes, the name of this blog is still applicable. ;)
  15. The one and only thing that has held our family together over the last 6 years has been God. He has been our glue when we would have fallen apart physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, etc. Every time I look at our two beautiful children the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 echos in my mind – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
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