by Adriana Santiago | Oct 12, 2018 | Parenting with Autism
I work to create support groups and coaching for families who have children on the spectrum. Being an Autism parent myself, I understand the struggles, and obstacles that sometimes may come with parenting a child on the spectrum. I have also recently written a book, #1 Best Selling AU-MAZING GIFT: A Journey to Autism Acceptance.
This past month, I have had the pleasure of interviewing some Au-mazing moms from all over the world to get an idea of what their experiences have been like. I find that when we can connect through each other’s experience, we can also find ways we can help each other.
This week, I spoke with Au-mazing Parent Kim Mastrofine . Here is her story:
What were the first signs/symptoms you child has Autism?
Speech delay
Lining up his toys
Sound sensitivity
Tip toe walking
Food aversions
Insomnia
Meltdowns
What was your first reaction to your child’s “Autism” diagnosis?
Nervous, overwhelming, scared, confusedValidation of what I already assumed. I recently moved to a new state and felt like a fish out of the water trying to learn where and who to go to for him to receive the necessary services for him to start getting the help he needed.
If you could give one piece of advice to another parent what would it be?
Allow your child to be themselves ?
What is one of the hardest parts about being a parent of an Autistic child?
Feeling helpless when your child is having a hard day!
What is one the most rewarding part about being a parent?
Seeing my child grow at his own pace!
by Adriana Santiago | Sep 6, 2018 | Parenting with Autism
I work to create support groups and coaching for families who have children on the spectrum. Being an Autism parent myself, I understand the struggles, and obstacles that sometimes may come with parenting a child on the spectrum. I have also recently written a book, #1 Best Selling AU-MAZING GIFT: A Journey to Autism Acceptance.
This past month, I have had the pleasure of interviewing some Au-mazing moms from all over the world to get an idea of what their experiences have been like. I find that when we can connect through each other’s experience, we can also find ways we can help each other.
This week, I spoke with Au-mazing Parent Lashonda Scott. Here is her story:
What were the first signs/symptoms you child has Autism?
Lack of eye contact, spinning, obsessed with parts of a toy.
What was your first reaction to your child’s “Autism” diagnosis?
Nervous, overwhelming, scared, confused.
If you could give one piece of advice to another parent what would it be?
Be your child’s best advocate, never give up on them! You are stronger than you think!
What is one of the hardest parts about being a parent of an Autistic child?
You never know what to expect day to day, minute to minute. Feel like I’m failing as a mom (parent).
What is one the most rewarding part about being a parent?
Seeing the growth in my son and when he gives me hugs.
by Adriana Santiago | Aug 29, 2018 | Parenting with Autism
I work to create support groups and coaching for families who have children on the spectrum. Being an Autism parent myself, I understand the struggles, and obstacles that sometimes may come with parenting a child on the spectrum. I have also recently written a book, #1 Best Selling AU-MAZING GIFT: A Journey to Autism Acceptance.
This past month, I have had the pleasure of interviewing some Au-mazing moms from all over the world to get an idea of what their experiences have been like. I find that when we can connect through each other’s experience, we can also find ways we can help each other.
This week, I spoke with Au-mazing Parent Katelynn Graham. Here is her story:
What were the first signs/symptoms you child has Autism?
At around 16 months, we started noticing that Lucas was flapping his hands, having violent meltdowns & would start jumping whenever he felt upset.
What was your first reaction to your child’s “Autism” diagnosis?
I wasn’t really shocked since is been suspecting it for months. Instead, I immediately went into action & started making calls to get his therapies set up.
If you could give one piece of advice to another parent what would it be?
Getting an autistic diagnosis isn’t the end of the world for you or your child. It’s simply the start of a unique & beautiful journey.
What is one of the hardest parts about being a parent of an Autistic child?
Trying to help & teach others how to understand Lucas because he’s developed his own unique form of sign language. It’s often looks close enough to the actual sign to tell what he’s trying to say. Just most professionals don’t want to accept anything but the proper sign.
What is one the most rewarding part about being a parent?
That’s a toss up between seeing Lucas blossom & do something nobody thought he’d be able to do and being around him when he’s in one of his super affectionate moods.
by Adriana Santiago | Aug 21, 2018 | Parenting with Autism
I work to create support groups and coaching for families who have children on the spectrum. Being an Autism parent myself, I understand the struggles, and obstacles that sometimes may come with parenting a child on the spectrum. I have also recently written a book, #1 Best Selling AU-MAZING GIFT: A Journey to Autism Acceptance.
This past month, I have had the pleasure of interviewing some Au-mazing moms from all over the world to get an idea of what their experiences have been like. I find that when we can connect through each other’s experience, we can also find ways we can help each other.
This week, I spoke with Au-mazing Parent Delasber Sanders. Here is her story:
What were the first signs/symptoms you child has Autism?
My first sign was that she had not truly talked by the age of 2.5. I believe that I knew it before because of her inability to engage with me… but, I was in denial.
What was your first reaction to your child’s “Autism” diagnosis?
My first reaction was pure hatred of God and nothing but tears.
If you could give one piece of advice to another parent what would it be?
Breathe and realize that the child you have after the diagnosis is the same child you had before.
What is one of the hardest parts about being a parent of an Autistic child?
One of the hardest parts for me is that no one understands that I need a break.
What is one the most rewarding part about being a parent?
The most rewarding part for me is just knowing that I made this amazing little girl and she is the light in my darkest tunnels of despair.
by Adriana Santiago | Aug 16, 2018 | Parenting with Autism
I work to create support groups and coaching for families who have children on the spectrum. Being an Autism parent myself, I understand the struggles, and obstacles that sometimes may come with parenting a child on the spectrum. I have also recently written a book, #1 Best Selling AU-MAZING GIFT: A Journey to Autism Acceptance.
This past month, I have had the pleasure of interviewing some Au-mazing moms from all over the world to get an idea of what their experiences have been like. I find that when we can connect through each other’s experience, we can also find ways we can help each other.
This week, I spoke with Au-mazing Parent Laura Cody. Here is her story:
What were the first signs/symptoms you child has Autism?
My son John had odd behaviors but we had no other kids. At a little over a year My son Noah looked at us and said momma and dada. John still wasn’t saying that to us just about us. Like dada is over there. No “Hi dada”
What was your first reaction to your child’s “Autism” diagnosis?
I wasn’t surprised at all. I had suspected something was up for a while.
If you could give one piece of advice to another parent what would it be?
Don’t think “Not my Child”. I took my son out of early intervention per my husband’s request. Now my ex-husband and He may have lost a lot of valuable time.
What is one of the hardest parts about being a parent of an Autistic child?
The meltdowns. Having to tread lightly so I don’t make it worse.
What is one the most rewarding part about being a parent?
He still hugs me. I’m not sure a kid at almost 11 off the spectrum would do that. At least not in public. He just doesn’t care.
by Adriana Santiago | Aug 10, 2018 | Parenting with Autism
I work to create support groups and coaching for families who have children on the spectrum. Being an Autism parent myself, I understand the struggles, and obstacles that sometimes may come with parenting a child on the spectrum. I have also recently written a book, #1 Best Selling AU-MAZING GIFT: A Journey to Autism Acceptance.
This past month, I have had the pleasure of interviewing some Au-mazing moms from all over the world to get an idea of what their experiences have been like. I find that when we can connect through each other’s experience, we can also find ways we can help each other.
This week, I spoke with Au-mazing Parent Beth Stonick. Here is her story:
What were the first signs/symptoms you child has Autism?
His lack of eye contact.
What was your first reaction to your child’s “Autism” diagnosis?
It was sort of like “not surprised.” I had suspected for a long time that we were missing something and we finally had some more answers.
If you could give one piece of advice to another parent what would it be?
Never give up. Go with your gut. You are your child’s champion and advocate. If you feel something is being missed, keep searching.
What is one of the hardest parts about being a parent of an Autistic child?
Always feeling like a failure.
What is one the most rewarding part about being a parent?
The little achievements. Things that are ordinary for everyone else but it is such a big success for your little.
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