Dear Addie,
For a long time, I wondered if life would just be a series of chaotic exhaustion from here on out. I wasn't handling this autistic life well but running in survival mode instead. I was chasing a calm that I wasn't even sure existed here with a smile on my face holding the G.O.A.T. for second-guessing myself with every decision that needed to be made. The list goes on, the triggers, behaviors, fight or flight, hormones, judging glares, doctors, and therapists. It's consuming to a numbing level, and before you know it, 2, 3, or 10 years have gone by of just a rinse and repeat of putting out fires.
But one day, you wake up, and the calm you were running after all those years is right there waiting for you. We are here.
We've spent the summer embracing our "exposure is key" lifestyle, and you have rocked it! Was it therapy, growth, magic fairy dust, or just time? Restaurants, berry picking, surfing, kayaking, enjoying days at the beach sans alligator wrestling in hot sand when it's time to leave - whatever it is, it's been very welcomed, and it is working.
With all this progress, we decided this week (with an impending birthday party invite there) it was time to try and visit our local life and science museum that just months prior ended with one of our most epic unprompted meltdowns to date, causing months of behavioral issues to follow.
Sprinkle some extra dust - we got this!
With Ms. Caitlin in tow on what seemed like the busiest day of the year, we navigated through exhibits, stimming, laughing, singing "Who let the dogs out" at every chance you could, carefully watching for signs of overstimulation and taking appropriate breaks when necessary.
We ended the day with your favorite water exhibit, and when it was time to leave, you said, "a babing suit?" to which I said we could put a bathing suit on at home - and you skipped away happily, ready to go home. Um, where do I buy this fairy dust? Just kidding, but really…
Ad, this has been the best summer we've had in years! You have shown remarkable progress, and we've had so much fun making memories together as a family.
We know that not every day will be calm in the following chapters ahead, but keep being you, baby girl, and we are right here to hold your hand if you need it. You're working super hard and we are so proud of you!
Great job this week!
We love you.
Love,
Mom
Comments