Autism Night Before Christmas by Cindy Waeltermann

This was passed on to me through another mom of a child with autism


AUTISM NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
BY CINDY WAELTERMANN

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse
We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract
The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head
Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?
Our relatives come
But they don't understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.
"He needs discipline," they say
"Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent…"
And on goes the attack
We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side
We know what it's like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions…
But what they don't know
And what they don't see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity
He said "hello"
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!
He peed on the potty
Who cares if he's ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!
Others don't realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope
But what they don't see
Is the joy we can't hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride
We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,
But what they don't know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.
We don't get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings
Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.
They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky
So to those who don't get it
Or can't get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I'll assure you
That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You'll look at me
With respect, even shock.
You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you
That you won't say a thing
You'll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned…….

Audrey Makes A Letter To Santa

Holidays are hard for families with kids with special needs. This year I have learned that it is not just my autistic daughters who struggle with the holidays.

For Abigail and Allie, they struggle with the crowded stores, the extra time in the car due to all the holiday travelers, and seeing groups of people at parties that they are not used to.

They struggle with christmas trees and lights, the feeling of touching wrapping paper, the sounds of bells outside stores, and their changes in routines.

Abigail will struggle with 2 1/2 weeks off of school and the routine she craves so much. Allie will struggle with why her sisters are home when she is used to them being at school. She will have missed therapy sessions and the craziness of a routine that will change from day to day.

My two daughters with autism will not know why they need to sit still to have christmas pictures taken or why they have to open gifts. They will wander around our toy room on christmas morning while we "open" their gifts and show them as they pass by.

But for our middle child, Audrey, she is really into all that goes with this holiday. She wants the christmas tree lit up and wants to see Santa. She is learning how Santa delivers presents and is actually worried that she will miss his visit when she is at school.

Today, I had her help me fill out her christmas letter to Santa. At the top of this post you will see her wants for her christmas gifts. It is a telling letter of this little three year olds life. She amazes me with her maturity and compassion but also breaks my heart with the same qualities.

We plan and plan out activities for the two girls with autism to make this season less stressful for them. Now it is time to plan Audrey's season full of fun activities that show her she does not have to be the caretaker of her sisters at this time.