Saturday, June 23, 2012

A Mama

I am a mama to a boy with special needs.  1st step is admitting it right?  Well, not really admitting it, but acknowledging it publicly.  I have known it and talked about it in my private life for a while now.  But here it is….to those who didn’t know or those who doubt it.  

He may not look it. There are no outward signs.  He looks like a happy, healthy 4 1/2 year old. And he IS. He is normal. Perfect, actually.  It takes him a little longer to process your instructions, he throws epic tantrums over things that may seem insignificant to you and I but for him are the end of the world, he doesn’t handle change well, he thrives on routine and familiarity, he is sensitive, he tries to play with others (is actually sometimes desperate to), and gets his feelings hurt when he can’t. 

Aiden has social developmental delays and Sensory Processing Disorder.

So when you see him, don’t judge him or I and the fact that he is still in pull-ups.  He’ll get there, there isn’t any rush. 

When he invades your personal space or cuts through a line, don’t think that I haven’t taught him manners. He doesn’t have the concept of space, how close he is, how far away he is, or that there is a line actually happening. Especially if he is on a mission to get somewhere.

If he doesn’t talk to you, don’t take it personally. He may actually not hear you depending on how focused on something he is.  Or if he yells at you to not talk to him, it may be that you disrupted his thoughts or that the noises around him are too much for him and you just added to it.  He doesn’t mean to do it, it is how he copes and we are working on the yelling.  It has decreased significantly, and will continue to get better. 

As a mother I am doing the best I can, what I believe is the best for my son.  There are too many people out there judging how others parent and quick to make assumptions.  It’s a good thing they don’t have a child with issues.

Aiden is a wonderful child. A very special soul.  He is mine for a reason and I know it.  

I love him. Wouldn’t change a thing.

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