Thank you, therapists

Nolan’s warriors

Thank you to all the wonderful people that spend hours with Nolan every week at his autism therapy-based center and his integrated pre school. Flash cards, sensory breaks, lunches, cubby time, school preparation, potty breaks, peer interactions; every minute of their time and effort going into the betterment of my child. 

They are under-appreciated. They are most definitely underpaid. They have had to clean up his potty accidents and his vomit. They have been bitten and had their hair pulled. They have had to listen to Nolan scream on the ground for ten minutes because they made him do some work in his cubby before trampoline time. They give him deep pressure when he needs it, hugs when he is sad, reinforcement when he does well, and a break when he’s just had enough. They do arts and crafts with him, often hand over hand because he has little interest, but the personalized gifts always make my wife happy. They have had to deal with an overtired Nolan because he has insomnia and was up since 3am. They’ve had to deal with a hangry Nolan because dad didn’t pack the right thing in his lunch. It’s all just a guessing game, really. They go in early and they stay late. They go home tired and exhausted and think about what they could have done with him differently. They come back the next day with a smile and open arms and work tirelessly day after day “until all pieces fit”…for MY son. They spend their off days wearing clothes to spread awareness or doing autism walks to support kids like mine, families like mine. 

He will ALWAYS have autism. It has affected and will affect nearly every decision we make as a family. But you help to make autism smaller, less significant. Autism is a piece of him, but Nolans warriors are a bigger piece. You make him smile. You make him happy. 

So here’s to all the therapists at his ABA center, his speech therapists and special ed teachers too. You see beyond the labels, categories, diagnoses and preconceptions. You see the light in his eyes when he smiles and the love in his heart he can’t verbally expres to show his gratitude.

But I can.

Thank you will never be enough.

Chances are that autism doesn’t affect your family like it does mine. But I think reading posts like this still can still help you. 

To other parents, soak in those small conversations with your kids. Try to stay grounded when your kids drive you crazy. Be their foundation, not just their boss. 

And for goodness sakes be nice and grateful to those who are there to help you. It may not be your child’s therapist, but it may be the lady at the grocery store checkout, or the old man at the hardware store. Your nurses, doctors, pharmacy staff, etc. Your child’s teacher, their aides, or the quiet man cleaning the floor. And when is the last time you took a moment to tell your spouse or loved one “Thank you?” 

Thank you everyone for following along with my family.