I asked our contributing author Laurie Cosgrove to share a bit about what is going on in her life and the life of her precious little ones. She wrote a post about her little guy (who just happens to be my sweet nephew…yes, Laurie is my baby sister) that made me feel like my heart was gonna burst. I love her and her sweet little family so much. They have been walking through some hard discoveries of our sweet Micah with such grace and love. Her hope is to help and connect with others walking down the same road. She also shares a bit about her little girl Ari. Keep reading to meet my precious nephew and see my adorable little niece with luscious cheeks and wearing a tutu!
Here is more from my sis:
I have not shared much about my little guy and his language delays before, but for the last six months or so, our silly-sweet toddler boy has been in early intervention (speech therapy) because he wasn’t talking and interacting with us like a typical 2 year old. In more recent weeks we’ve come to the conclusion with the speech teachers that Micah is most likely on the autism spectrum.
Obviously this changes nothing about the way we see him and love him. Micah absolutely lights up our home with his contagious joy and playful energy. But he processes things differently and it’s been really difficult to teach him or get him to pay attention to us sometimes. It’s not just that he doesn’t talk. He has trouble understanding our words and gets overwhelmed by a lot of social situations, including just everyday playing with us. So this has been the #1 thing on our minds lately – researching all hours of the night what we can do to love on him more and teach him in a way that he understands. The main reason I wanted to share this today was because I found this amazing resource for parents specifically for speech and social skills. I hope you’ll pass it on if you happen to know someone whose little one is in a similar situation with autism or even just a “late talker.”
Anonymous
April 15, 2013 at 10:46 amThose books look really helpful! Our son is also on the spectrum, and I can say without doubt that the one thing we did that helped more than anything else was the intervention known as ABA, or Applied Behavioural Analysis. It’s a methodically organized way of interacting with the child on the spectrum. We had to get tutors to come and work with him from the age of 3–it was really very effective. He’s eleven now, and in mainstream school. He’s still socially challenged, but academically great and he is loving, interacting, and demonstrative. Look it up, and read Let Me Hear Your Voice, by Catherine Maurice–it’s a good starting point. Good luck, Laurie!
Allison in the UK
jeana
April 15, 2013 at 3:57 amYou know this touches my heart! I can relate In so many ways. I’m going to add them to my prayers, it’s such a difficult time, but so many blessings are packed in there as well!
Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend
April 14, 2013 at 6:46 amSweet Amy,
I read your entire cancer story tonight….I am afraid to look at the clock. How it blessed me. I don’t have breast cancer, but have struggled with deep depression recently, something very new to me…involving a family matter. It seems so easy compared to your journey, but we all walk different roads. I read everyone of your posts and they spoke to me in my depression. HIS WORD spoke loud and clear. Tomorrow I am going back and coping verses. Now I am going to your FB page and then Pinterest…I am a Pinterest addict…Also a juicer for the last 4 months….trying to stay healthy as everyone around me seems to be sick. Juicing has become a new way of life for us and nothing I would have ever thought I could do…I did not like fruits and vegetables. That in itself makes me an unlikely candidate BUT I LOVE IT….Have not missed a day in 4 months…Too much about me…Just wanted to say thanks for your honesty and realness in your posts….I instantly fell in love with you…
Teresa
annah99@aol.com
Grammy Girlfriend
Jenni
April 13, 2013 at 8:01 pmTell your sis thanks for sharing boldly. Beautiful family and sweet babes.
Anonymous
April 13, 2013 at 7:02 pmWith your new hair color, you two look a lot alike! Autism seems so much more prevalent these days, unfortunately. Thanks for sharing.