Sawyer is 11 now, and even though he’s come a very long way, he is still very different from his peers. Even though most of the time the kids at his school are understanding about his autism, there are still a few who like to make fun of him for his differences. My prayer is that the older Sawyer gets, the more the other kids may understand and accept his differences and the differences of others like him.
Our blended family may be strange for everyone around us, but we don’t care. Everyone has their own “normal”, and this is ours.
This year, Sawyer has discovered and fallen in love with “Bluey”; it’s his latest fixation. I don’t want Sawyer to be made fun of or left out of things because he is into things that the other kids in his grade think are for babies. But I also don’t want to discourage Sawyer from loving the things he loves.
The world of autism has changed so much since this became our family’s life 10 years ago. There have been more diagnosed, and the categories for autism have changed.
Every year, 1 in 36 children in the US is diagnosed with autism. That is wild to me. because when Sawyer was diagnosed in 2015, the statistic was 1 in 52.
Sawyer has developed a new “tic”, or stim. He kind of “chews” or smacks his lips a little on the left side now, and that’s new. I asked him why he does that, and replied “Um, I don’t know. It’s just what I do.”
What do you do when your child’s body is changing at a faster rate than their mind?
It’s crazy to think back over our journey with autism. When I think about the frustrated toddler who could only grunt or whine to communicate with us, and then look at the boy he is today with an expansive vocabulary who passes as “normal” to so many, it blows my mind.
This week Sawyer started his first season of peewee basketball! I don’t care if he sits the bench 90% of the time; seeing how happy he was about those few minutes on the court made him makes it all worth it. ♥
With an unexpected move, a family vacation, and Christmas, our little family has had quite the chaotic month!!
This Christmas, I encourage you and your family to give back.
Holidays with a special needs family member adds a whole different level to preparing for and celebrating holidays.
Our goal is to help share support and resources with families like ours. ♥
We love sharing when we find awesome places and things! Click the heart to check out a bunch of stuff our family loves!
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is a very special place to our family. It’s where Sawyer was first diagnosed with autism, and it was through their incredible programs and research that he first received the therapy he needed to thrive. Our current political administration has pulled funding that pays for progams and services that help families like ours. Please consider donating to VKC to help others continue to receive the vital programs and services needed to help them succeed.
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